EDINBURGH, Scotland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new animal health research collaboration aimed at finding better ways of preventing and managing disease and advancing sustainable animal agriculture and welfare has been announced by Pfizer Animal Health and the Easter Bush Research Consortium (EBRC) – one of the largest veterinary research and education consortiums in Europe.

University of Edinburgh Principal, Professor Sir Timothy O'Shea, shakes hands with Albert Bourla, Pfizer Animal Health Area President for Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Pacific, during the launch of the new partnership. (Photo: Business Wire)

The collaboration sets a new standard in animal health research and innovation and is backed by funding of approximately $2 million USD over five years. It is a key component of Pfizer’s ongoing global commitment to veterinarians, which involves supporting the profession through continued training and education initiatives, as well as investing in research programmes.

"This new collaboration will bring together many of the research leaders in the animal health world, backed by an unrivalled resource. The potential for increasing our knowledge and improving our ability to manage animal health and welfare issues is very exciting," said Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer Animal Health Area President for Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Pacific. "The time when industry could research and develop its own ideas and products in isolation is coming to an end; the future of animal health and welfare lies in multi-disciplinary collaboration with external partners who share the same vision."

The EBRC – consisting of the UK’s Moredun Research Institute, The Roslin Institute and The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh and SAC (the Scottish Agricultural College) – is one of the largest groups investigating the health, welfare and development of companion and food production animals.

Pfizer Partnership Platform objectives with the EBRC include:

• Advance educational activities and promote veterinarians in postgraduate study and research
• Support early stage research, technologies and capability platforms
• Promote multi-disciplinary research teams, with contributions from different participating organisations.

Projects will cover all the major food production and companion animal species and include vaccines, immunology, infectious diseases, parasitology, proteomics, genetics, genomics, antigenomics, target identification, clinical models and comparative translational medicine.

Professor Elaine Watson, head of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, said: "This partnership will provide the financial investment to develop world class veterinary education in a research-led environment and ensure that Edinburgh grows as a centre for international scientific excellence and knowledge transfer.

"The EBRC has a wealth of expertise and this agreement ensures a critical mass of inquiry for animal health and welfare issues, which will encourage new multi-disciplinary collaborations as well as provide training for the next generation of vets and scientists," she added.

Together, Pfizer and the EBRC will encourage leading veterinary scientists from different organisations to share information and insights and work together on defined research and education projects that foster and accelerate innovation in the animal health sector.

Pfizer Inc: Working together for a healthier world™

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve health and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. Our diversified global health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world's best-known consumer products.

Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as the world's leading biopharmaceutical company, we also collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. To learn more about our commitments to animal health, please visit us at www.pfizeranimalhealth.com.

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