Producers gain new tools to combat avian metapneumovirus, a highly contagious and costly virus impacting turkeys, broiler chickens, and laying and breeding birds.
This strategic alliance will allow HIPRA to expand its international presence and strengthen its commitment to veterinary prevention.
HIPRA and Elanco Animal Health have partnered to bring two avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) vaccines to the U.S. poultry market, providing new tools for producers to manage this costly respiratory disease. The virus primarily affects turkeys, with an estimated 60-80% of commercial turkey flocks nationwide impacted by aMPV; yet broilers, and laying and breeding birds are also susceptible to the virus.
The vaccines, RESPIVAC® aMPV and HIPRAVIAR® TRT, manufactured by HIPRA, were introduced to select producers via an emergency import license earlier in 2025 through field trials. The field trials show significant improvement among vaccinated birds compared to the previous year.
“Avian metapneumovirus has led to devastating losses for many producers,” said Scott Gustin, U.S. Poultry Technical Leader, Elanco Animal Health. “The aMPV subtypes were foreign to the U.S., and after seeing this virus spread now from coast to coast, it became clear that biosecurity was not going to be sufficient on its own to combat the virus. Vaccines became the clear solution to reduce the impact of this highly contagious respiratory disease.”
aMPV is spread through the respiratory system. Certain husbandry and ventilation tactics can help the outcome; however, vaccination is a critical tool to effectively control the virus.
“aMPV vaccination has been used successfully for many years outside the U.S., and we’re seeing those same successful results in our U.S. field trials,” said Martina Dardi, Poultry Global Technical Manager, HIPRA. “The combination of HIPRA’s worldwide experience on controlling this virus and the proven performance for both vaccines can spare a lot of time in the fine tuning of vaccination plans and practices that are successfully in place globally.”
Vaccine details include:
- RESPIVAC® aMPV - Protects broilers, layers and breeders from the highly contagious virus. The attenuated live vaccine is based upon subtype B, offering cross-protection against subtype A. Birds can be vaccinated at the hatchery, on the farm or during lay, via spray or drinking water. For prolonged immunity, chickens can be vaccinated every 9 weeks.
- HIPRAVIAR® TRT - Protect broilers, breeders and turkeys against aMPV infections. The vaccine is based upon subtype B, offering cross-protection against subtype A. HIPRAVIAR® TRT is the only inactivated vaccine with the same subtype, origin (chicken) and strain as the live vaccine, offering greater long-term protection.
“The collaboration between HIPRA and Elanco has been seamless and aligned, where we can communicate continuously and give field support to bring the best possible solutions for aMPV prevention to the U.S. market,” said Gustin. “Through this partnership, we’ve been able to overcome different challenges to get the vaccines to producers as quickly as possible, while ensuring a consistent supply. The result is two strong tools in the toolbox to manage aMPV.”
"We fully trust Elanco as the ideal strategic partner for this initiative. Their strength in the U.S. market and deep knowledge of the poultry sector, combined with HIPRA’s large experience and commitment to supply continuity, enable us to deliver our solutions efficiently and in line with market needs," says Xavier De Paz, Marketing Director Animal Health.
This step is a clear example of HIPRA's growth and its consolidation as a company committed to global health and open to establishing long-term strategic alliances. While specific special import agreements have been carried out in the past to respond to outbreaks in countries without vaccine access, this new partnership marks a qualitative advance in the company's global strategy, reinforcing its capacity for consistent supply and its role as a key player in the international field of prevention.
