The Intervet Norbio Singapore Pte. Ltd research and development lab has changed its name to MSD Animal Health Innovation Pte. Ltd, following the acquisition of Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health by MSD in 2009.
The 9,000m2 research facility is the Asia-Pacific region’s only research laboratory specialising in warmwater aquaculture. Since 2000, the laboratory has accumulated more than 2,300 bacterial strains plus 16 viral isolates of pathogens and 20 cell lines. This has already led to the development and commercialisation of eight vaccines for temperate and warm-water fish species.
According to Luc Grisez, director of aquaculture R&D at MSD Animal Health, the Singapore facility was designed to conduct research with aquatic species in freshwater, full-strength seawater or anything in-between. In addition, water temperature can be set within a range from 18°C to 34°C. The laboratory includes 100 tanks, which enables scientists to adjust to virtually all temperate and warm-water aquatic conditions in the world.
Mr Grisez says, “I am convinced that our Singapore facility has the best insight of diseases in warmwater aquaculture. There is nothing that comes close to the fully-typed strain collections we have built over the years and the experience we have gained in product development for the different warmwater fish species.”
