April 6, 2017
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 sub-clinical
and/or full-scale 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 the
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
investigation with the investment from Innovation Fund Denmark -
via cooperation with the University of Copenhagen in an effort to
achieve 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 and/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
should be investigated. 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 baby 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 and a dosage regimen
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 200 is an iron supplement
that adds value to your business by promoting better health and
faster growth in your piglets. Manufactured by Pharmacosmos,
Uniferon 200 combines the benefits of simple, fast administration
with all-natural, high efficacy ingredients.
Pharmacosmos is dedicated to developing and marketing
industry-leading iron deficiency treatments for both humans and
animals. We focus on improving treatment options by staying on top
of industry best practices. A privately-owned company with an
extensive network of partners, Pharmacosmos operates in more than
50 countries across Europe, the Americas 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.