New project collaboration between the University of Copenhagen and Pharmacosmos

New project collaboration between the University of Copenhagen and Pharmacosmos aims to improve health in swine herds and reduce mortality among baby pigs

Both in Denmark and abroad swine producers are constantly looking for opportunities to optimize health, welfare, resource utilization and the economics of pork production. A constant point of focus is the improvement in the survival of the baby pigs. In this instance, project LiveBorn could potentially play an important role for both animal welfare and swine production economics.

"We have indications of a relationship between iron deficiency anemia in the pregnant sow and an elevated still-birth rate, but this is the first time we try to show that treatment of the sow can actually lead to more live-born baby pigs," says Jens Peter Nielsen, professor and head of section for Production, Nutrition and Health at University of Copenhagen's Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. In 2015, there was an average of 1.6 to 1.7 stillborn baby pigs per litter in Denmark, equivalent to ~9% of the litter. This means there is a quite a large gain for animal welfare and for the swine producer economics if the survival rate of the baby pigs can be improved.

Pharmacosmos is looking forward to launching the LiveBorn project with the investment from Innovation Fund Denmark – and via cooperation with the University of Copenhagen to seeking a better understanding of the significance of iron for the health of the sow and her offspring.

"Standard of care today is to treat the live-born baby pigs for sub-clinical or full-scale iron deficiency anemia shortly after the farrowing. This is a well-documented healthcare procedure; however, we also believe the potential for treating anemic sows is large. It will be a big plus for animal welfare and the swine producer economy if we can demonstrate that treatment of the sow leads to more live-born baby pigs," says Christian von der Recke, Sales and Business Director, Veterinary Iron at Pharmacosmos.

If the project is successful then, in addition to the scientific advances made, it will lead to development of a new iron preparation for treating pregnant, anemic sows. Pharmacosmos will then seek to market this product in all relevant swine producing countries.

Contact

University of Copenhagen, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences - Professor Jens Peter Nielsen, jpni@sund.ku.dk

Pharmacosmos, Holbaek - VP Corporate Development & Strategy, Tobias S. Christensen, tsc@pharmacosmos.com

Innovation Fund Denmark investment: 18.7 million DKK ($2,681,000 USD)

Total project budget: 38.5 million DKK ($5,520,000 USD)

Project duration: 5 years

Official project title: LiveBorn - Iron injection product for anemic sows to reduce the stillborn rate in pig production

Project facts

• LiveBorn is a 5-year project collaboration between Professor Jens Peter Nielsen at the University of Copenhagen and healthcare company Pharmacosmos in Holbaek, West Zealand, Denmark.
• Together they will investigate the significance of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant sows and will aspire to develop a medical product to treat the condition.
• Innovation Fund Denmark invests 18.7 million DKK ($2,681,000 USD) out of a total budget of 38.5 million DKK ($5,520,000 USD)

Source of still-birth rate:
LANDSGENNEMSNIT FOR PRODUKTIVITET I SVINEPRODUKTIONEN 2015 - NOTAT NR. 1611. SEGES, INSTITUTION: VIDENCENTER FOR SVINEPRODUKTION
Author: OLE JESSEN
Published: 9 June 2016
Link to webpage.