With the industry facing a trend towards both higher and more volatile feed costs, profitability will be driven by investments in optimal efficiency. Partnerships and the sharing of knowledge will be a key factor of success, as Asian poultry producers strive to feed a rapidly growing population.

Commenting on the importance of VIV Asia, Dr Arnaud Bourgeois, Head of Ceva’s Biology business said: "VIV Asia is a key forum which gives us the opportunity to meet face to face with our partners in the Asia. Having started my career in the region, I’m delighted to see that many of the leading companies are now competing for global leadership of the poultry business. We have to match their professionalism and provide the products and services they need to grow with them."

Ceva has invested heavily in recent years in R&D, equipment development and program formulation to be able to provide the expert knowledge and vaccine solutions that will translate into improved production.

Since launching its latest Newcastle vaccine - Vectormune® ND at VIV Asia 2011, Ceva went further by proving its complete compatibility with its blockbuster Gumboro vaccine, Transmune® IBD. Both products can now be mixed in diluent and administered in the hatchery (in-ovo or subcutaneously at day-old) as a single dose giving life-long protection against Newcastle, Gumboro and Marek’s disease.

Being able to vaccinate in the hatchery against such major disease problems is a huge step forwards but of even more significance could be Ceva’s latest vector vaccine against Avian Influenza - Vectormune® AI. The company has just launched the vaccine in Egypt and Bangladesh and will roll this out to other Asian countries where the problem is endemic.

"We believe that hatchery vaccination with technologically advanced vaccines is the future. Not only is there less stress on the chicks being vaccinated, improving welfare, but we can also induce long term immunity by cutting through MDA’s," said Dr Sylvain Comte, Corporate Marketing Director - Poultry. "It is not simply a question of providing innovation in vaccines; we have to continue to invest in the equipment, people and programs that complete our service offer."

'Together, beyond animal health' – Ceva’s slogan will necessitate a further strengthening of the existing strong partnerships in Asia, if we are to better control diseases such as Avian Influenza, which menace not only poultry but human health as well.