The need for profylactic vaccines against infectious disease is increasing globally. To a great extent this applies also to animal health, including live stock and pets. Improved vaccines is paramount in the light of the increased antimicrobial resistance, i.e. the ability of a microbe to resist the effects of medication previously used to treat them. The increased interest in new and improved vaccines can also be attributed to novel technology, increased knowledge in immunology and not least, to the increased awarness of the importance of animal health and well-being.
Intervacc’s main market is within veterinary vaccines. It is one of the sectors expected to play an important part in the growing veterinary health market in the coming years (Animal Pharm, Veterinary vaccines report, 2015). The key factor according to Intervacc is the increased appreciation of profylactic treatment rather than acute medication.
Veterinary vaccines make up around 23 % of the total market for veterinary pharmaceuticals according to Global Information Inc 2016. Moreover, according to calculations made by Zion Market Research 2016, the global turnover of veterinary vaccines amounted to 12 billion USD 2015. Zion Market Research expect an annual growth rate of 9,3 % to cirka 20 billion USD by year 2021. Europa and North America correspond to 67 % of the total market share. Global Information Inc 2016 estimate an annual growth rate of 9,4 % during 2014–2020.
Number of horses in the main markets and the rest of the world (millions)
Market for a vaccine against strangles
The number of cases of strangles has increased in recent years with roughly 100 outbreaks reported in Sweden annually (Jordbruksverket 2015). In the UK, nearly 1,000 outbreaks are reported annually (Parkinson et al 2011 Vet. Rec. 168 p 666). In an Australian study it was found that around 2 % of all horses are affected by strangles (Jorm 1990 Austr Vet J 12 p 436). Every outbreak affects an entire stable, stud farm, event, riding school etc.
The market for a vaccine is however not computed on the number of outbreaks but rather on the number of horses that needs to be vaccinatated for profylactic purposes. The primary markets for Intervacc is the EU and USA where the number of horses is estimated to 16 millions (FAOSTAT). Based on the amount of sold vaccine doses in the EU, we estimate that 30-60 % of all horses in these markets are being vaccinated against various infectious diseases. The diseases are mainly influenza but also West Nile Fever, Rabies, Tetanus etc. The two geographical markets, the EU and USA, amount to roughly 70 % of the global market for veterinary vaccines (Zion Market Research, 2016).