Faced with the constant evolution of prevention needs, particularly in terms of vaccines, and as part of the construction of a global center of excellence for the manufacture of biological products for veterinary use initiated at the beginning of the year in Carros, we have proceeded, in the first quarter of 2022, with the tech-transfer of the production of bacteriological active ingredients used for the manufacture of our range of vaccines against leptospirosis.

With this transfer, our objective is twofold: to install state-of-the-art technologies in modern and sustainable infrastructures to competitively produce increasing volumes of vaccines and to develop new biological products under research and development.

Jean-Louis Belmon, in charge of industrialisation projects in the MSAT biology department: "Our old site was reaching a saturation point in terms of production capacity. This tech-transfer not only increases our production capacity with the same team but also frees up capacity in the old workshop (70% will be available after the transfer). The single-use systems installed in the receiving site will make it possible, from 2023, to increase our manufacturing capacity for leptospirosis vaccines fourfold, to receive two new products in development and to anticipate the needs for future valences to be produced. This project is the culmination of collaborative work by Virbac's MSAT (Manufacturing Science and Technology) teams."

Next steps in the project: the production of the batches needed to validate the manufacturing process in the new workshop will take place in early 2023 (these batches also support the modification of the regulatory dossier) so that routine production can begin in 2024.

Through this major project, we wish to confirm our desire to invest in the Alpes-Maritimes to increase our production capacity and thus meet future global needs in animal health while remaining competitive with our competitors.
We are also keen to maintain and develop the skills and know-how of our current and future employees from the regional pool.

This center of excellence is a model site for the development of biology and future industry technologies for animal health at other Group sites around the world.