ViroGen is a Minnesota-based veterinary biopharmaceutical company founded on the vision of developing 2nd and 3rd generation animal vaccines for the control of poultry disease. The company specializes in novel, proprietary in ovo (embryo) vaccination technology for the poultry industry.
Original research for the New ovo-mune (Newcastle virus) vaccine, ViroGen’s first product, began at the University of Minnesota, where it was developed and patented. The Newcastle virus has posed a serious threat to the poultry industry for 50 years; ViroGen plans to present a more effective and less expensive method for protecting chicks against this disease.
The New ovo-mune vaccine promises broad market appeal. Approximately 90% of the poultry industry has already adopted in ovo vaccination technology, promising a smooth transition for most poultry producers who purchase the ViroGen product. ViroGen studies find that New ovo-mune is equally effective when used in combination with other vaccines currently on the market, such as the in ovo Marek’s disease vaccine in chickens.
ViroGen has acquired the exclusive rights to license this technology for commercial use in the United States and is presently negotiating for worldwide distribution. It is also working for approval from the USDA. Several other products are currently in development.