PHARMAQ has received Marketing Authorizations (MA) for a Nodavirus vaccine for European sea bass in Spain, Italy, Croatia and Greece.

• ALPHA JECT micro 1 Noda, is the first and only commercially available vaccine against Viral Nervous Necrosis (VNN), in Europe.
• A micro dose emulsion for injection in sea bass allowing vaccination of smaller fish and showing high protection and duration of immunity for up to at least one year
• Viral Nervous Necrosis is the most important viral disease affecting sea bass in the Mediterranean

21st of February 2018, PHARMAQ, a business of Zoetis, has received Marketing Authorisations in Spain, Italy, Croatia and Greece for an injectable vaccine to help fish farmers combat Nodavirus in European sea bass.

Morten Nordstad, President of PHARMAQ, said that “ALPHA JECT micro 1 Noda has been developed in response to fish farmers’ needs in the Mediterranean to fight against the most common viral disease affecting farmed sea bass in the Mediterranean. PHARMAQ is committed to the continuous development and supply of innovative health solutions for fish farmers globally.”

A new innovative solution against Nodavirus infection in Sea Bass
Viral Nervous Necrosis caused by Nodavirus, is one of the most important diseases in farming of sea bass in the Mediterranean Sea. VNN affects all production stages and causes a significant financial impact due to the high mortality rates and reduction of growth performance. ALPHA JECT micro 1 Noda has been available as an emergency vaccine* in some Mediterranean countries since 2014. The results from commercial scale use have so far been promising.

ALPHA JECT micro 1 Noda is the first of a new generation of PHARMAQ's micro dose (0.05 ml per fish) oil-based injectable vaccines to be introduced to the Mediterranean market. PHARMAQ’s micro dose technology offers significant benefits from a welfare perspective according to Roberto Guijarro, General Manager and veterinarian, at PHARMAQ Spain Aqua. “The micro dose allows vaccination of smaller fish and reduces the levels of local reactions. Also, the studies have shown a high protection and duration of immunity for up to at least one year has been documented in laboratory studies”.

For further information, please contact:
Morten Nordstad,
President PHARMAQ a business of Zoetis
Mobile: +47 907 52 853
Or 
Roberto Guijarro,
General Manager, PHARMAQ Spain Aqua
Mobile: + 34 606 114 291

About PHARMAQ

PHARMAQ is the global leader in vaccines and innovation for aquaculture and part of Zoetis, the world leader in animal health. The company provides environmentally sound, safe and efficacious health products to the global aquaculture industry through targeted research and the commitment of dedicated people. Production facilities, administration and research and development activities are based in Norway with subsidiaries in Chile, United Kingdom, China, Vietnam, Turkey, Spain, Panama and Singapore. PHARMAQ has approximately 220 employees. The company's products are marketed in Europe, North and South America, and Asia. For further information, visit the company's website at www.pharmaq.com

*For Greece it has been sold as an autogenous vaccine  and for Spain it has been an emergency license under the Spanish regulation artículo 29 del Real Decreto 1246/2008. For Cyprus it has been an emergency license.