April 6, 2017
New project collaboration between the University of
Copenhagen and Pharmacosmos aims to improve health in swine herds
and reduce mortality among baby pigs
Both in Denmark and abroad swine producers are constantly
looking for opportunities to optimize health, welfare, resource
utilization and the economics of pork production. A constant
point of focus is the improvement in the survival of the baby
pigs. In this instance, project LiveBorn could potentially
play an important role for both animal welfare and swine production
economics.
"We have indications of a relationship between iron deficiency
anemia in the pregnant sow and an elevated still-birth rate, but
this is the first time we try to show that treatment of the sow can
actually lead to more live-born baby pigs," says Jens Peter
Nielsen, professor and head of section for Production, Nutrition
and Health at University of Copenhagen's Department of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences. In 2015, there was an average of 1.6 to
1.7 stillborn baby pigs per litter in Denmark, equivalent to
~9% of the litter. This means there is a quite a large gain for
animal welfare and for the swine producer economics if the survival
rate of the baby pigs can be improved.
Pharmacosmos is looking forward to launching the LiveBorn
project with the investment from Innovation Fund Denmark - and via
cooperation with the University of Copenhagen to seeking a better
understanding of the significance of iron for the health of the sow
and her offspring.
"Standard of care today is to treat the live-born baby pigs for
sub-clinical or full-scale iron deficiency anemia shortly after the
farrowing. This is a well-documented healthcare procedure;
however, we also believe the potential for treating anemic sows is
large. It will be a big plus for animal welfare and the swine
producer economy if we can demonstrate that treatment of the sow
leads to more live-born baby pigs," says Christian von der Recke,
Sales and Business Director, Veterinary Iron at Pharmacosmos.
If the project is successful then, in addition to the scientific
advances made, it will lead to development of a new iron
preparation for treating pregnant, anemic sows. Pharmacosmos
will then seek to market this product in all relevant swine
producing countries.
Contact
University of Copenhagen, Department of Veterinary and
Animal Sciences - Professor Jens Peter Nielsen, jpni@sund.ku.dk
Pharmacosmos, Holbaek - VP Corporate Development & Strategy,
Tobias S. Christensen, tsc@pharmacosmos.com
Innovation Fund Denmark investment: 18.7 million DKK ($2,681,000
USD)
Total project budget: 38.5 million DKK ($5,520,000 USD)
Project duration: 5 years
Official project title: LiveBorn - Iron injection product for
anemic sows to reduce the stillborn rate in pig production
Project facts
- LiveBorn is a 5-year project
collaboration between Professor Jens Peter
Nielsen at the University of Copenhagen and healthcare
company Pharmacosmos in Holbaek, West Zealand,
Denmark.
- Together they will investigate the
significance of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant sows and
will aspire to develop a medical product to treat the
condition.
- Innovation Fund
Denmark invests 18.7 million DKK ($2,681,000
USD) out of a total budget of 38.5 million DKK
($5,520,000 USD)
Source of still-birth rate:
LANDSGENNEMSNIT FOR PRODUKTIVITET I SVINEPRODUKTIONEN 2015 -
NOTAT NR. 1611. SEGES, INSTITUTION: VIDENCENTER FOR
SVINEPRODUKTION
Author: OLE JESSEN
Published: 9 June 2016
http://vsp.lf.dk/~/media/Files/PDF%20-%20Publikationer/Notater%202016/Notat_1611.pdf
About Uniferon
Uniferon is a modern improved iron hydrogenated dextran based on
a natural formula, which is approved for global use:
Uniferon is manufactured without the use of any organic solvents
or cyanide, thus, avoiding trace residues of these impurities.
Pharmacosmos manufactures iron dextran of high quality and unique
purity for customers worldwide. Uniferon is the only injectable
iron brand for piglets approved in the EU, the US and Asia.
About Pharmacosmos
Headquartered in Denmark, Pharmacosmos is a family-owned,
international healthcare company with more than 50 years of
innovation and leadership in iron- and carbohydrate-based
treatments and solutions for human and animal use.
A research-based company, its ongoing R&D programme focuses
on improving the lives of patients with iron deficiency with or
without anaemia. More than 1 billion people live with iron
deficiency anaemia and it is the leading cause of death for an
estimated 180,000 people every year. This makes it one of the
largest global health challenges of our time.
Pharmacosmos has subsidiaries in the Nordics, the UK and the US
and its products are marketed in more than 80 countries across the
world. Its manufacturing facilities are approved, among others, by
the Danish Medicines Agency and the US FDA.