News Update

News Update
Oct. 9, 2006

Intervet Proceeds with Cefquinome Licensing Activities

Cefquinome, one of Intervet’s antimicrobials, recently was reviewed by the Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee (VMAC). The review was initiated by the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Center of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) with respect to the ongoing approval procedure of cefquinome for the treatment of respiratory disease in cattle.

There was consensus of VMAC that the Guidance for Industry 152 was correctly followed for cefquinome and that the overall risk estimate ranking of “Medium” was appropriate. Irrespective of the Microbial Safety Assessment, a slim majority of the committee members present considered the evidence provided as inadequate to prove cefquinome safe with regard to the development of fourth-generation cephalosporin resistance and potential transfer of resistance to humans.

Although Intervet is disappointed about this outcome, the company says it is convinced that cefquinome use in livestock will not create public health concerns due to antimicrobial resistance and foodborne transfer. Consequently, Intervet will continue to pursue approval activities. The opinions and advice of VMAC now will have to be considered by CVM within the context of the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act and regulations governing the approval of the product.

Cefquinome is the active ingredient of various Cobactan® formulations, which are licensed in Europe for the treatment of respiratory disease, mastitis, septicemia and foot rot in cattle and/or swine, and has a track record of many years of effective and safe use. Intervet, as a responsible sponsor, fully supports the prudent use of important antibiotics. Intervet is participating in European (EASSA) and American (NARMS) surveillance programs that monitor the susceptibility of commensal bacteria, which have the potential to become foodborne pathogens. This surveillance data has yet to show any change in resistance patterns, from isolates tested to fourth-generation cephalosporins, in the more than 10 years fourth-generation cephalosporins have been used concurrently in Europe in veterinary and human medicine.

— release provided by Intervet Inc.

Johanns Enhances Agricultural Cooperation With Kazakhstan

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Sept. 28 with Kazakhstan on cooperation in agriculture. The agreement will help to broaden and strengthen the cooperative relationship between the two countries in the agricultural and agribusiness sectors.

“This MOU will foster collaboration between our government agencies, agribusinesses, scientific institutions and universities,” Johanns said. “Both of our countries will benefit from increased cooperation in such areas as agricultural technology, rural development, trade and investment promotion, and water and soil management.”

In July 2006, Johanns led a U.S. trade and investment mission to Kazakhstan to open new opportunities for U.S. agribusinesses. During that mission, Johanns and Agriculture Minister Akhmedzhan Yesimov discussed developing the cooperative agreement that was signed in September. Johanns also led the U.S. delegation to the inauguration of President Nazabayev in February 2006.

Since 1993, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has provided agricultural training under the Cochran Fellowship Program to more than 200 Kazakhstani in areas such as biotechnology, agribusiness marketing and management, livestock genetics, animal health and veterinary services. The Cochran Fellowship Program provides short-term, U.S.-based agricultural training opportunities for senior and mid-level specialists and representatives from the public and private sectors of middle-income and emerging market economies.

In addition, 16 Kazakhstani agricultural university instructors have participated in USDA’s Agricultural Economics Faculty Exchange Program since 1995. This program brings university professors to the U.S. for five months to help them strengthen their expertise in agricultural economics, marketing, agribusiness management and agrarian law.

Since becoming an independent nation 15 years ago, Kazakhstan has made significant progress, moving from a centrally planned economy to a more transparent, less regulated, more market-driven business environment. These efforts serve as an excellent example for other countries in the region to emulate and make Kazakhstan an important strategic partner of the U.S.

— release provided by USDA News