Zoetis Secures European Commission Approval for Novel Poultry Vaccine to Combat Newcastle and Marek’s Disease

Executive Summary: A New Frontier in Poultry Health

In a strategic move to fortify the European poultry industry against persistent viral threats, global animal health leader Zoetis Inc. has announced that the European Commission (EC) has officially granted marketing authorization for Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND. This cutting-edge, recombinant vector vaccine is engineered to provide comprehensive protection against two of the most devastating viral diseases affecting chicken flocks: Newcastle disease (ND) and Marek’s disease.

The authorization marks a significant milestone in veterinary medicine, offering producers a streamlined, high-efficacy solution that can be administered via in ovo (in-egg) vaccination or subcutaneous injection at hatch. By providing dual-protection in a single dose, the vaccine is poised to simplify flock management while addressing the urgent need for enhanced biosecurity in a region currently grappling with recurring disease outbreaks.

The Technical Landscape: How the Vaccine Functions

At the heart of the Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND vaccine lies the Herpesvirus of Turkey (HVT) vector. The HVT platform is a cornerstone of modern poultry immunology, with over two decades of proven performance in the field. As an avirulent virus, HVT replicates safely within the chicken, acting as a delivery vehicle for targeted antigens.

In the case of Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND, the vaccine virus is genetically modified to express a Newcastle disease virus antigen. Upon administration, the vaccine stimulates a robust immune response against ND while simultaneously priming the bird’s immune system to recognize and defend against Marek’s disease. This "two-for-one" mechanism ensures that producers do not have to compromise on the breadth of protection while benefiting from the logistical efficiency of a single-dose regimen.

Chronology: The Road to European Authorization

The journey to this marketing authorization reflects Zoetis’s broader strategy of expanding its "Procerta" portfolio, a range of HVT-based vaccines designed to address complex disease challenges through advanced biotechnology.

• Early Development Phase: Zoetis invested heavily in refining the HVT vector platform, building upon global data from successful deployments in other major poultry-producing markets, including Southeast Asia.
• Expansion of the Portfolio: Before the arrival of HVT-ND, Zoetis established its footprint with Poulvac Procerta HVT-IBD, which provided the first proof-of-concept for the range by protecting against infectious bursal disease and Marek’s disease.
• The 2025 Milestone: The momentum continued into 2025, when the European Commission authorized Poulvac Procerta HVT-IBD-ND, a triple-action vaccine covering Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease, and Marek’s disease.
• The Present Day: The current approval of Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND fills a specific niche for producers who require a focused, dual-protection strategy, further rounding out the company’s offerings in the European market.

The Threat: Why Newcastle and Marek’s Disease Matter

To understand the significance of this authorization, one must look at the economic and biological impact of the diseases involved.

Newcastle Disease: A Global Economic Burden

Newcastle disease is classified as a "notifiable disease" under European Union animal health regulations. This designation highlights its severity; it is highly contagious and can result in mortality rates of up to 100% in unvaccinated flocks. The economic impact is twofold: direct losses due to bird mortality and the massive indirect costs associated with trade restrictions and culling protocols imposed to contain outbreaks. Recent surges in Germany, Spain, and Poland have served as a stark reminder that even with modern biosecurity, the threat of ND remains an ever-present reality for European producers.

Marek’s Disease: The Persistent Killer

Marek’s disease remains one of the most common and damaging lymphoproliferative diseases in chickens. Caused by a herpesvirus, it leads to tumor development and immunosuppression, making birds vulnerable to secondary infections. Because the virus is highly resistant in the environment, vaccination is the only effective means of control. By integrating protection against both diseases, the Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND vaccine addresses the most significant health risks faced by commercial poultry operations today.

Official Responses and Strategic Vision

The approval of this vaccine is viewed by industry leaders as both a scientific achievement and a strategic win for the European poultry supply chain.

Insights from Zoetis Leadership

Kevin Esch, D.V.M., M.P.H., Ph.D., and Executive Vice President of Research and Development at Zoetis, underscored the global significance of the development. "With the European Commission’s marketing authorization of Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND, we are pleased to provide poultry producers across the EU with an additional vaccine option to help prevent Newcastle disease and Marek’s disease in chicken flocks," Esch stated.

Beyond the immediate health benefits, Esch highlighted the secondary economic advantages: "The EU approval is significant because it unlocks export opportunities for poultry producers in southeast Asian countries, where the vaccine is already approved. Our HVT vector platform has a well-established, global record in poultry vaccination, and we look forward to supporting poultry producers in Europe, as well as southeast Asia, with this addition to the Procerta portfolio."

Addressing Regional Needs

Julia von Gablenz, Regional President for Europe and the Middle East at Zoetis, emphasized the timing of the release. "Recent outbreaks of Newcastle disease across several European countries, including Germany, Spain, and Poland, serve as a reminder of the ongoing threat this disease poses to poultry health in the region," she noted. "The marketing authorization comes at a relevant time, and we look forward to working with veterinarians and producers to support its use as part of their flock health programs."

Implications: The Future of Poultry Production

The introduction of Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND is expected to have several long-term implications for the poultry industry.

1. Enhanced Operational Efficiency

The ability to vaccinate in ovo is a game-changer for large-scale hatchery operations. By vaccinating eggs before they hatch, producers reduce the handling stress on chicks and ensure that immunity begins as early as possible. This efficiency allows for a more streamlined hatchery process, reduced labor costs, and better-prepared flocks.

2. Standardized Global Health Protocols

Because the vaccine is already approved in Southeast Asia, European exporters now have a "common language" of vaccination. Producers who export products to these regions can ensure that their birds meet specific health standards, potentially easing trade barriers and facilitating smoother cross-border logistics.

3. Sustainability and Animal Welfare

Vaccination is the most sustainable approach to disease control. By preventing outbreaks, producers reduce the need for emergency reactive measures, such as mass culling, and minimize the use of supplemental medications. Furthermore, by protecting the birds from the debilitating effects of Marek’s and Newcastle disease, the vaccine significantly improves the overall welfare of the poultry population.

Supporting Data: Why Vector Vaccines are the Gold Standard

The transition from traditional, live-attenuated vaccines to recombinant vector vaccines like Poulvac Procerta represents a shift toward higher precision in animal health.

• Immunity without Reversion: Traditional vaccines occasionally carry the risk of "reversion to virulence," where a weakened virus mutates back into a dangerous form. Vector vaccines, which only express specific antigens, carry zero risk of this occurring, making them significantly safer for the flock and the environment.
• Stability and Efficacy: The HVT vector has been extensively studied for its stability. It maintains high levels of efficacy even in the presence of maternally derived antibodies (MDAs), which often interfere with the effectiveness of conventional vaccines in young chicks.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: While the initial cost of advanced vector vaccines may be higher than traditional alternatives, the reduction in mortality, the lower incidence of secondary infections, and the labor savings provided by the in ovo delivery method offer a compelling return on investment for commercial poultry producers.

Conclusion: A Proactive Stance

The European Commission’s authorization of Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND represents a significant advancement in the fight against two of the poultry industry’s most formidable foes. By combining the proven reliability of the HVT vector platform with the targeted efficacy needed to combat modern disease outbreaks, Zoetis has provided European producers with a powerful tool for safeguarding their flocks.

As the industry continues to navigate the complexities of global trade, disease surveillance, and the need for sustainable protein production, innovations like Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND will become increasingly vital. By ensuring the health of the individual bird, Zoetis is helping to secure the health of the entire European poultry supply chain, fostering a future that is more resilient, more efficient, and ultimately more secure.

For veterinarians and producers, the path forward is clear: integrating advanced, dual-action vaccine technology into existing flock health programs is the most effective way to preempt the threats of tomorrow, ensuring that European poultry remains a gold standard in both quality and safety.