Animal Health

We have an extensive portfolio of experimental and field infectious disease models for use in client efficacy studies. In addition to our range of validated disease models new models and protocols can be developed to complement the needs of our clients. Short- and long-term studies (e.g. duration of immunity, foetal protection), involving a range of veterinary medicinal products such as vaccines, antimicrobials, anthelmintics, anti-inflammatories and immunostimulants can be carried out.

All regulatory studies are conducted to VICH-GCP standards and our expertise in in-house VICH-GCP trials can also be extended to the conduct of field studies.

We offer a range of diagnostic assays to support our Animal Health studies as required including virus isolation, antibody ELISA, serum neutralisation tests, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and parasitology assays.

Disease Models

Our areas of expertise cover the following:

Bovine Respiratory Disease

• Bovine Herpesvirus-Type 1 (BHV-1)
• Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV)
• Bovine Virus Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV)
• Histophilis somni (validation ongoing)
• Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica
• Mycoplasma bovis
• Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 (PI3)
• Pasteurella multocida

Bovine Mastitis

• Staphylococcus aureus mastitis
• Streptococcus uberis mastitis

Bovine (Other)

• Bovine Virus Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV)
• Cryptosporidium parvum
• Escherichia coli
• Neospora caninum (bovine)

Porcine

• Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae
• Escherichia coli (validation ongoing)
• Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae
• Pasteurella multocida
• Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) – direct challenge and PRRSV natural seeder models
• Porcine respiratory disease sequential challenge models
• Salmonella spp.
• Streptococcus suis

Ovine

• Chlamydophila abortus
• Cryptosporidium parvum
• Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica
• Staphylococcus aureus mastitis
• Streptococcus uberis mastitis
• Toxoplasma gondii

Parasitic Diseases

• Endo and ecto Parasitic Disease (Bovine, ovine, porcine, equine, avian, natural and experimental infections) e.g gastro-intestinal nematodes, mites

Poultry

• Campylobacter jejuni
• Salmonella enteritidis

We conduct GLP safety and tolerance studies in all species of livestock in compliance with relevant international guidelines for pharmaceuticals, biologicals and feed additives.

Through partnerships we also provide biochemistry, histopathology, and haematology support to GLP standards.

Safety studies are conducted in our on-site animal accommodation or on grazing land in paddocks on our nearby satellite farm.

Our studies include:

• Reproductive performance
• Spread of vaccine strain
• Local and systemic tolerance following single, repeat and overdose administrations
• Dissemination in the vaccinated animals
• Reversion to virulence
• Potency and safety of vaccines for batch release
• Environmental safety (grazing studies)

We employ a variety of in vitro testing procedures to ascertain the effectiveness of an antimicrobial compound and to test for any growing antibiotic resistance problems against specific bacterial pathogens.

The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) test allows the accurate determination of the concentration of antimicrobial product which is required to inhibit the growth of the target bacterium.

The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) allows the bactericidal activity of a compound to be assessed.

We routinely perform MIC and MBC testing studies on a variety of aerobic, anaerobic and fastidious veterinary bacterial pathogens. This work is conducted to world recognised standards (Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute).

Testing is performed by macro, micro or agar dilution methodologies. In addition, other services including determination of Bactericidal Activity (BA) and Post Antimicrobial Effect (PAE) are offered.

We offer a cost-effective service for post-marketing studies for veterinary medicinal products in cattle and sheep. Animals enrolled on these studies are rented from commercial farms and studies are conducted at our GLP accredited facility.

As part of the continual monitoring process, which is necessary following the licensing of veterinary products, animal health companies can be required to investigate issues that have been raised by users in the field. These issues may be related to aspects of product safety (e.g. injection site reactions or unexpected adverse effects following administration) or efficacy (e.g. assessing whether the concurrent administration of two products has a negative effect on the serological response).

Monitoring resistance to veterinary medicinal products may also be an objective of post-marketing investigation. The investigations are normally carried out using licensed products according to the label instructions or under an animal test certificate where variations to the label use are required.

The studies are conducted in accordance with scientifically valid protocols and follow appropriate quality standards.

Key features of our post-marketing study service:

• Provision of animals to meet study requirements (age, sex, numbers).
• Studies conducted by experienced study directors
• Animals under the care of Moredun veterinary staff throughout the study.
• High standards of animal welfare throughout with animals returned to farms post-study.
• Rigorous quality standards, studies are audited by our independent Quality Assurance department.

We possess a wide range of facilities to undertake and complete studies to the satisfaction of the appropriate regulatory authorities.

Animal Facilities

Moredun’s on-site, state of the art animal accommodation houses all species of livestock. The facility is an integrated complex incorporating purpose-built farm animal accommodation and a post-mortem suite with incineration facilities. An extensive high containment facility provides optimal controlled environmental conditions for large and small animal species and facilitates research on specified pathogens up to Containment Level 3.

Our facilities are staffed by highly trained and dedicated individuals including experienced veterinarians, who provide animal care and maintenance to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCPv).

Laboratories

Our GLP accredited laboratories accommodate all aspects of safety and efficacy studies for veterinary products in the disciplines of bacteriology, parasitology, and virology. The facility includes several adaptable laboratory areas, a fully validated cell culture laboratory and all relevant auxiliary areas including hot and cold rooms, storage areas and washrooms.

We can, upon request, produce a range of biological materials including antisera, viruses, bacteria and other material for research or commercial use. The materials are produced to defined quality standards and are supplied with a certificate of analysis detailing tests carried out and the results.

The procedures used in the production of the materials are audited by our Quality Assurance team.