DULUTH, Ga. (March 1, 2021) — Since the Awards for Advancing Research in Respiratory Disease (AWARRD) program’s inception more than 16 years ago, Boehringer Ingelheim has provided more than $1.5 million in support of the development of less-costly, innovative diagnostic testing and sampling processes; identified more effective biosecurity practices; sought to better understand respiratory diseases; and developed risk-assessment tools, intervention programs and vaccination strategies. This year, to continue expanding the swine industry’s knowledge of respiratory diseases, three outstanding research proposals were selected to receive $35,000 each.

“We’ve seen the tremendous impact that projects funded by the AWARRD program have had on the swine industry,” said Montse Torremorell, DVM, Ph.D., Diplo. ACVP, University of Minnesota, and Respiratory Disease Research Board member. “All it takes is one look around a pig farm to see the many best practices and key learnings producers and veterinarians have implemented as a direct result of findings from the more than 55 projects the program has funded. The proposals selected this year will continue to build upon that progress, and help the industry understand the complexities of a wide range of respiratory diseases.”

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) continues to challenge the swine industry, both in management and profitability, but it’s not the only respiratory disease attacking producers’ bottom lines. Starting in 2016, AWARRD (formerly PRRS Research Awards) announced an expansion of the program to include projects related to porcine circovirus Type 2 (PCV2), Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp) and influenza A virus in swine (IAV-S).

The Respiratory Disease Research Board, consisting of seven independent swine veterinarians and researchers, reviewed several exceptional proposals before making its final decision. This year’s recipients are focusing on research related to PRRS and Mhp.

Boehringer Ingelheim congratulates the following recipients of the 2021 Awards for Advancing Research in Respiratory Disease:

• Tanja Opriessnig, DVM, Ph.D., Iowa State University, Ames, IA
  • Understanding the importance of the gut microbiome on PRRSv efficacy
• Jeff Feder, DVM, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, MN
  • Assessing the risk of spreading PRRS-positive manure next to sensitive sites
• Maria Pieters, DVM, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
  • Identifying the critical clinical threshold of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infections

 

“As our industry continues to evolve, respiratory pathogens follow suit and present new challenges and questions that demand answers,” explained Reid Philips, DVM, PRRS technical manager, Boehringer Ingelheim. “We’re honored to be a part of a collaborative effort that continues to deliver groundbreaking, field-applicable findings that ultimately improve the health of pigs and profitability of producers.”  

The Respiratory Disease Research Board also granted research completion awards to the following individuals for successfully completing past projects funded by the AWARRD program:

• Juan Sanhueza, DVM, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
  • Toward the best testing strategy for PRRSv stability – Time-to-negative processing fluids in breeding herds
• Mariana Kikuti, DVM, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
  • Genetic diversity of PRRSv in piglets during an outbreak
• Alyssa Betlach, DVM, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, MN
  • Spatial and temporal detection patterns for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae under controlled aerosol exposure for gilt acclimatization

Applications for the 2022 awards will be open for submission in late 2021. For more information on how the AWARRD program is advancing the swine industry’s knowledge of respiratory diseases through game-changing research, tools and more, visit https://bi-animalhealth.com/swine/resources/grants.

 

About the Respiratory Disease Research Board

 

The Respiratory Disease Research Board, an independent group of swine veterinarians and researchers, selects the Awards for Advancing Research in Respiratory Disease annually. Board members for the 2021 award selection process include:

• Luc Dufresne, DVM, Seaboard Foods, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 
• Tim Loula, DVM, Swine Vet Center, P.A., St. Peter, Minnesota
• Daryl Olsen, DVM, AMVC, Audubon, Iowa 
• Montse Torremorell, DVM, Ph.D., Diplo. ACVP, University of Minnesota, St. Paul
• Darin Madson, DVM, Ph.D., JBS Live Pork, Greeley, Colorado
• Mary Battrell, DVM, 2020 AASV President-elect, Smithfield Foods, Smithfield, Virginia
• Wesley Lyons, DVM, 2020 AASV Young Veterinarian of the Year, Pipestone Veterinary Services, Pipestone, Minnesota

 

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health

 

The lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways. We know that when animals are healthy, humans are healthier, too. Across the globe, our 10,000 employees are dedicated to delivering value through innovation, thus enhancing the well-being of both.

Respect for animals, humans and the environment is at the heart of what we do. We develop solutions and provide services to protect animals from disease and pain. We support our customers in taking care of the health of their animals, and protect our communities against life- and society- threatening diseases.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is the second-largest animal health business in the world, with net sales of $4.5 billion (4 billion euros) in 2019 and presence in more than 150 countries.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health has a significant presence in the United States, with more than 3,100 employees in places that include Georgia, Missouri, Iowa, New Jersey and Puerto Rico. To learn more, visit www.facebook.com/BoehringerAHUS or www.twitter.com/Boehringer_AH. 

 

Boehringer Ingelheim 

 

Making new and better medicines for humans and animals is at the heart of what we do. Our mission is to create breakthrough therapies that change lives. Since its founding in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim has been independent and family-owned. We have the freedom to pursue our long-term vision, looking ahead to identify the health challenges of the future and targeting those areas of need where we can do the most good. 

As a world-leading, research-driven pharmaceutical company, more than 51,000 employees create value through innovation daily for our three business areas: Human Pharma, Animal Health and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing.

In 2019, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of $21.3 billion (19 billion euros). Our significant investment of over $3.9 billion (3.5 billion euros) in R&D drives innovation, enabling the next generation of medicines that save lives and improve quality of life.  

We realize more scientific opportunities by embracing the power of partnership and diversity of experts across the life-science community. By working together, we accelerate the delivery of the next medical breakthrough that will transform the lives of patients now, and in generations to come. 

More information about Boehringer Ingelheim can be found at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com or in our annual report: http://annualreport.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

 

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Media Contacts

 

Keith Grauman
PR Director
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(612) 659-4420
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Cortney Malter
Corporate Communications
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc.
(816) 922-9025
cortney.malter@boehringer-ingelheim.com