Award of ‘Pettenkofer-Foundation’ presented to Dr. Teshome Mebatsion

Mid of November Dr. Teshome Mebatsion of Intervet International, Virology R&D received in Munich the Pettenkofer Prize 2001.

This prize is presented every two years to scientists who perform outstanding  research with practical application in prevention and therapy of infectious diseases. This year, ”Viruses as tools” was the actual theme of the award. The Pettenkofer Foundation is supported by DADE BEHRING (diagnostics).

Dr. Teshome Mebatsion was honoured with the award for his contribution to the development  and application of the so-called reverse genetic system that enables genetic modification of  specific virus groups called negative strand RNA viruses.

Rabies virus work
Dr. Mebatsion worked for several years on the construction of the first infectious clone of Rabies virus.  Using this approach Teshome Mebatsion is now constructing a safer, oral vaccine candidate for dogs. In 1997 the potential of this development in therapeutic treatment of HIV infections by using the Rabies virus as a “viral bullet” was described by him during his research period at the Federal Research Centre for Virus Diseases of Animals, BAFV, Tübingen.

Newcastle Disease virus work
In cooperation with BAFV Dr. Mebatsion put effort in obtaining infectious clones of Newcastle Disease virus (a severe viral infection in poultry). This work makes it possible to acquire candidate vaccine viruses with high efficacy but improved safety in chickens

Max von Pettenkofer (1818-1901) was a German chemist and hygienist, who studied medicine at Munich. Pettenkofer is considered a founder of epidemiology and is known for his researches in health risk factors in air, water, food, buildings, sewers and so on. He strongly influenced the development of international hygiene and public health.

Dr. Mebatsion studied veterinary medicine and focused since his PhD research work on molecular biology. He joined Intervet International bv in 1998.

Note for the editor:

Intervet, a business unit of Akzo Nobel, headquartered in Boxmeer, The Netherlands, with sales of EUR 1.020 million in 2000, is focused on the research and development, manufacturing and marketing of veterinary products. Products include vaccines for the prevention of infectious diseases, anti-infectives, anti-parasiticides and products for fertility management. All of these products are intended for use in a variety of animal species, including poultry, pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, fish and pets. Intervet operates globally with its own marketing organizations. The company currently employs around 5,000 people.

Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. Consolidated sales for 2000 totalled EUR 14 billion (USD 13 billion, GBP 8.5 billion). The Company currently employs 67,500 people in more than 75 countries. Financial results for the full year 2001 will be published on February 22, 2002

For further information please contact:

Dr. Sabine Schueller
Communications & Public Affairs
Intervet International bv
Tel: +31 (0)485-587085
Fax: +31 (0)485-587083
communications@intervet.com