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Since 2007, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health has funded independent European research projects related to Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) infection and associated diseases. So far, 17 research projects have been awarded, each supported with 25,000 euro, in total 425,000 euro. In the past five years, 50 research projects were submitted to the European PCV2 research award, demonstrating the continuous interest and need for applied PCV2 research.
The 2012 European PCV2 research awards were recently presented to the successful investigators by the head of the review board, Prof. Maurice Pensaert, former head of the Laboratory of Virology of Ghent University in Belgium, and George Heidgerken, Senior Vice President Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health.
In the 6th edition the independent review board selected the following projects to be awarded:
- Effect of maternal derived immunity on PCV2 infection dynamics and production parameters in PCV2 vaccinated pigs (Prof. Joaquim Segalés and Dr. Marina Sibila, CReSA and Universitat Autònoma, Barcelona, Spain)
- Are amino acids 169 and 173 of PCV capsid protein determinant for virulence? (Dr. Beatrice Grasland, Anses – LERAPP laboratory, Ploufragan, France)
- Does prophylactic treatment with Iscom-Matrix adjuvant affect a subsequent PCV2 infection in pigs? (Prof. Caroline Fossum, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden)
More than 40 European scientists participated in the award ceremony, which - for the first time - took place in Hanover, Germany, where Boehringer Ingelheim recently opened a new international research site. More than 50 employees are already working on researching innovative vaccines for livestock at the Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Research Center. The company has invested more than 40 million euro in this state-of-the-art research facility, thus underlining the commitment of Boehringer Ingelheim to research and development in animal health.
European Porcine Circovirus (PCV2) Research Award
Boehringer Ingelheim intends to continuously support independent applied research in the field of PCV2 immunity, pathogenesis, epidemiology and interaction with other (potential) pathogens. The European Porcine Circovirus (PCV2) Research Award is an annual award that recognizes research proposals in this area of applied immunological PCV2 research.
The award has an independent review board with leading European scientists in applied porcine research reviewing the entries and deciding upon the winning proposals. A maximum of three prizes, worth 25,000 euros each, are granted to European researchers every year, to advance scientific knowledge in these areas.
How to apply
Applications for the next European PCV2 Research Award can be submitted by September 10, 2013. For more details please contact Maurice.pensaert@ugent.be or Petra.Maass@boehringer-ingelheim.com.
March 18, 2013 - Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
