May 3, 2011, Lenexa, Kan. –– Ceva Animal Health is pleased to announce the May 3, 2011 opening of a new poultry vaccine production facility at its Biomune Campus in Lenexa, Kansas.

“After many years of building a strong research and development base, along with a fine sales force and excellent technical support, we are investing in our future growth with the opening of this new production facility,” said Dr. Arnaud Bourgeois, Vice President and Global Director of Biology at Ceva Santé Animale.  “Increased demand for Ceva vaccines, plus the ability to create and utilize new vaccine technology not available from competitors made this the perfect time to build our new facility.”

Ceva Santé Animale purchased Lenexa-based Biomune Company in 2005, creating Ceva Animal Health as its US subsidiary.  The purchase secured a strong foundation in research with Vectormune vaccines along with an aging manufacturing plant.  With the opening of its new $18M facility, Ceva is poised to fill a global market need with high-quality vaccines.  “Today, what we output is almost entirely for the domestic market,” explains Bourgeois, “ The new facility will double our domestic output while also allowing for expansion globally.” The existing plant will be renovated as part of Ceva’s long-term investment plan and is designated for a stand-alone custom vaccine project. 

Ceva is well-known for its dedication to providing animal health products and services that ultimately benefit humans.  The Biomune Campus’s contribution to the “One Health” effort is clear: poultry vaccines keep the world’s food supply safe and sufficient to meet the needs of an ever-growing population. “We continue to invest in our people and our facilities in order to innovate and therefore ensure that our products and services have a direct impact in improving global health,” said Marc Prikazsky, Chief Executive Officer of Ceva Santé Animale.

Ceva's new facility features:

• 55,000 square feet of innovative technology and automated systems
• State-of-the-art operations to ensure vaccine quality and consistent, safe supply
• Future physical plant growth/expansion opportunities
• Capability to product both standard and vector vaccines
• Career opportunities for 80 new production, research and development staff by 2015

About Ceva Animal Health: Ceva’s key companion animal products include the Vectra® line of parasiticides, D.A.P.® and Feliway® pheromone behavior aids and Senilife® neuroprotection for aging pets.  Ceva Biomune’s key poultry products include CEVAC® Transmune IBD, Vectormune® FP and Vectormune® HVT.  The North America Zone headquarters and the Ceva Biomune Campus are located in Lenexa, Kansas.  Visit www.ceva.us.

About Ceva Santé Animale: Ceva’s parent company is a global veterinary health company focused on the research, development, production and marketing of pharmaceutical products and vaccines for pets, livestock, swine and poultry.  Its headquarters is in Libourne, France. Visit www.ceva.com. 

For more information, please contact Carolyn Gilliland at carolyn.gilliland[at]ceva.com or 913.945.4448.

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