Pfizer to Begin Distribution Animal Vaccines

12 October 2004

Pfizer to Begin Distribution of CSL Animal Health Vaccines

Pfizer Animal Health and AgVax Developments Limited (AgVax) are pleased to announce that from 1 December 2004 Pfizer Animal Health will assume responsibilities for the sales and marketing and the distribution of the CSL Animal Health vaccine range.

Pfizer Animal Health purchased CSL Animal Health in February this year, and immediately assumed responsibility for manufacturing of the vaccines while AgVax continued to manage the distribution of products in New Zealand.

Says Divisional Director New Zealand, Pfizer Animal Health, Craig Patterson, “Vaccines play a key role in animal health and welfare and the range of CSL Animal Health vaccines are a natural extension to the range of Pfizer Animal Health products.

“We are 100 percent committed to providing the necessary support and infrastructure to growing and developing the veterinary distribution channel and we will be expanding our team to support this new vaccine product range.”

AgVax CEO Andrew MacPherson says, “While AgVax will no longer distribute the Pfizer Animal Health vaccines, there will continue to be an ongoing relationship between the two companies. Joint research projects, made possible through AgVax’s parent company AgResearch, will continue with both companies strongly focused on fostering growth and innovation opportunities within the vaccine market.

“While we may no longer be sister companies, we will certainly continue to view each other as first cousins” explained MacPherson. “The opportunities from these projects are potentially far too valuable to New Zealand agriculture and beyond to be lost simply because we no longer deliver their vaccines to veterinary clinics.”

AgVax has stated that the new arrangement will not result in any staff reductions. Rather, it will see an acceleration of product development and the seeking of new relationships as the business rebuilds and continues the growth it has enjoyed in recent years.

Says Patterson, “Both locally and internationally Pfizer Animal Health makes significant investment in Research and Development (R&D) and AgVax is recognised in New Zealand as a leader in its field. Together we look forward to achieving further innovation and developing new products for New Zealand livestock health.

“Globally, Pfizer Animal Health is the leading manufacturer of cattle and sheep vaccines and there is an exciting pipeline of companion and livestock animal products that we will be bringing to the New Zealand market.”

To further support the expansion of the business in New Zealand, Pfizer Animal Health is currently making two new key appointments. A new Product Development Manager will drive the development of a broad range of exciting new products resulting from many years of R&D investment. A new Biologicals Product Manager will focus on the development of the CSL livestock vaccines, with emphasis on innovation and market development for which Pfizer Animal Health has developed a strong reputation.

A detailed plan has been developed to ensure a smooth transition from AgVax to Pfizer Animal Health and further communications to the market are planned throughout November to keep everyone up to date with progress. The Pfizer Animal Health Field Force will be fully trained in all aspects of the new range and will work closely with their AgVax colleagues through the integration phase.

ENDS

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