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May 1, 2025
by Ann Hess, Feedstuffs magazine After years of extensive research and a lengthy regulatory approval process, Genus has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the gene edited PRRS-resistant pig (PRP) to be used in the U.S. food supply chain, in line with expectations. Genus executives note this is a significant step toward commercialization in the U.S.; however, approvals are still needed in key U.S. export markets, such as Mexico, Canada and Japan. "FDA approval is a fantastic achievement for Genus PIC and represents a major step towards U.S. commercialization. We will now continue to pursue regulatory approvals in other international jurisdictions with a focus on key U.S. export markets" said Jorgen Kokke, Genus chief executive officer. The firm says it continues to make progress with regulators in these jurisdictions as well as with other international regulators, including China. Brazil, Colombia and, most recently, the Dominican Republic, where it has issued positive determinations for the PRRS-resistant pig, meaning those countries will regulate the pig the same as any other pigs. Plague of PRRS For more than 30 years, pork producers around the world have battled the devastating porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus, which negatively impacts pig health and welfare and creates pork supply and sustainability challenges. The PRRS virus also suppresses pigs' immune systems, making them more susceptible to secondary infections that may need to be treated by antibiotics. From 2016 to 2020, PRRS was responsible for an estimated $1.2 billion loss per year in U.S. pork industry production, an 80% increase from a decade earlier, according to a recent analysis by Iowa State University. ISU experts state the reason PRRS is the most economically damaging illness for U.S. swine producers is due to the virus causing respiratory distress in pigs of all ages and reproductive problems in breeding stock. Controlling the disease is also a continuous challenge because the RNA virus that causes PRRS evolves frequently, and vaccines have had limited effectiveness. In a recent research project led by ISU to quantify how much a PRRS outbreak impacts antibiotic use on a pig farm, the study found that injectable and water antimicrobial use in groups of nursery pigs increased 379% during the 15-week epidemic phase after the farm became PRRS positive. The use of injectable antibiotics also increased 274% in older pigs, closer to market weight. While both groups showed a significant increase in antibiotic use following a PRRS outbreak, there is a greater impact on nursery and grower pigs because their immune systems are less developed than finisher pigs. To read the entire article click here. Tweet |
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