MSD Animal Health (MSD-AH)
MSD-AH is a global, research-driven company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of veterinary medicines and services. MSD-AH offers one of the industry’s most innovative portfolios for the prevention, treatment and control of disease in all major farm and companion animal species, and aquaculture. Innovation, Research and Development are key to accomplish our mission: “The science of healthier animals”. The company’s largest R&D site in Boxmeer, the Netherlands, harbours multiple facilities, including laboratories for Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Virology (up to BSL-3), Microbiology, Biochemistry, process development and Animal Facilities. Vaccine- and pharmaceutical production capacities are also on site.
The R&D teams in Boxmeer focus on basic research on, and development and international registrations of new vaccines. Their vast expertise in biotechnology has led to the development of innovative (recombinant) vaccines and advanced culture- and production systems for vaccines which translate into safer, more effective products. Basic research activities involve in-house and collaborative research on pathogen discovery and culture, immunology, adjuvants and vaccine formulations, as well as (cryo)preservation strategies for vaccines.
Web page: www.msd-animal-health.com
Key publications
- de Groof A et al. A Novel Virus Causes Scale Drop Disease in Lates calcarifer. PLoS Pathog. 2015 Aug 7;11(8)
- de Groof A et al. Atypical porcine pestivirus: A possible cause of congenital tremor type A-II in newborn piglets. Viruses. 2016 Oct; 8(10): 271; 10.3390/v8100271
Staff involved in HONOURs
Dr. Paul Vermeij
Dr. Paul Vermeij is an expert in microbiology (bacteria, virus, parasites), protein expression, molecular biology, vaccine development, serological- and molecular diagnostics, animal health. Paul Vermeij will be the primary supervisor of ESR-9.
Dr. Ad de Groof
Dr. Ad de Groof is an expert in virus discovery, cell biology, in vitro virus culture methods (2D and 3D), stem cells, development of animal models, serological methods, biosafety, and animal health. Ad de Groof will be involved in daily supervision of ESR-9.