Source: Merck Animal Health news release
Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (NYSE:MRK), in collaboration with Iowa State University, today announced a four-year strategic alliance that will bring together industry and university talent as part of a unique public-private partnership to address complex needs and expedite the delivery of animal health solutions to the marketplace.
The alliance will join faculty, students and Merck Animal Health veterinarians and staff with a committed pool of resources to identify research and development opportunities and seamlessly deploy on technical efforts and projects across disciplines for companion, equine and livestock animals. The alliance will be led by a joint steering committee of members from Merck Animal Health and Iowa State to ensure goals and objectives are aligned and progress is tracked.
“Merck Animal Health is one of the technology and market leaders in the veterinary field,” said Peter Dorhout, vice president for research at Iowa State. “We’re committed to a fruitful collaboration and exchange of ideas between the Iowa State and Merck Animal Health teams. We’re confident will yield innovative and meaningful solutions to animal health challenges in the U.S. and around the world.”
“While we have had a long-standing relationship with Iowa State, this alliance will bring together industry insights and expertise involving various business units at Merck Animal Health with multiple departments and colleges at the university to work together on research and development, manufacturing, new technology, business development and more,” said Scott Bormann, senior vice president, Merck Animal Health, North America. “As a leading animal health company focused on innovation, we look forward to the synergies, collaborations and outcomes this alliance will bring.”
As part of the initial kick-off, Merck Animal Health and Iowa State have already established a first phase of sponsored research projects exploring innovations in drug and vaccine delivery.
“We are excited to continue to shape the future of animal health by partnering with a renowned university like Iowa State,” said Justin Welsh, D.V.M., executive director of livestock technical services, Merck Animal Health. “Merck Animal Health has continued to make significant investments at the university in various capacities including for veterinarian scholarships and internships, research and development projects and facility donations. This alliance further strengthens all of those endeavors.”
