Swiss scientist honored for excellent contribution to the principles of 3R's

22 August 2005

August 22, 2005 – At the "5th World Congress on Alternatives", on 22 August in Berlin, Germany Prof. Andrew Hemphill, University of Bern, Switzerland was honored with the Intervet Dieter Lütticken Award for his excellent contribution to the principle of 3R's for the development and production of veterinary medicinal products.

Professor Hemphill’s work focused on the development and evaluation of in- vitro approaches for culture and investigation of helminthic and protozoan parasites, in particular Neospora canium and Echinococcus mutlilocularis. Receiving the award he stated:’ I feel very honoured, and at the same time this also acknowledges the input of my colleagues who have participated and put a lot effort into our projects.’

The panel of expert judges - with participation of Prof. Coenraad Hendriksen, NVI, Netherlands Vaccine Institute and Prof. Franz J. Conraths, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Germany - assessed the work as being coherent and integrative with the set of studies being performed in a multi-disciplinary setting with national and international contributors.

The award, with a price fund of 20,000 Euro, was presented by Dr. Dieter Lütticken, Intervet: “The work of Prof. Hemphill and his colleagues is highly relevant in terms of the 3Rs, particular “Replacement”. Government regulations mandate the use of animals in many instances to ensure that animal medicine is safe and efficacious. During product development, we actively look for methods to prevent or reduce the use of test animals. Where the use of test animals cannot be avoided, we look out to reduce the number of test animals and to refine the experiment set-up. Intervet supports initiatives that contribute to the principle of 3R's for the development and production of veterinary medicinal products, both internally and outside our organization. I appreciate very much that we can honour today the studies of Prof. Hemphill and I hope that spin off of the methods to related areas will take place.’

With his ambition, creativity and broad knowledge in basic and applied science Dieter Lütticken guided and shaped Intervet's R&D for many years. He established what became tradition – Intervet's sound support and close collaboration with basic research. Dieter Lütticken retired in June 2003 from his position as Vice President and Intervet's Head of R&D.

The award covers the work on the development of in-vitro models used in R&D which replace animal testing for licensing purposes as well as studies avoiding the use of animals in efficacy, safety and quality testing or in the production of biological and pharmaceutical products for animals. For example, research replacements, epidemiological studies focusing on the correlation of field data and protection of animals by vaccination, genomics or proteomics.

Applications are being sought by Intervet for the 2006 Dieter Lutticken Award. The award is open to scientists or public institutions that have delivered excellent contributions to the 3R’s, documented by a publication in the last two years.

Application deadline for this year selection is 30/09/2005.

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Note for the editor:

Intervet, a business unit of Akzo Nobel, based in Boxmeer, the Netherlands, with sales of EUR 1,024 million in 2004, is dedicated to research and development, production and marketing of innovative animal health products and feed additives. Intervet's product range for use in livestock, companion animals, poultry and fish includes vaccines, antiparasitics, anti-infectives, endocrine products, other pharmaceutical specialties and feed additives. Intervet operates globally with its own marketing organizations. The company currently employs around 5,000 people.

Internet: www.intervet.com

Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. Consolidated sales for 2004 totaled EUR 12.9 billion. The Company currently employs some 62,000 people in more than 80 countries. The financial results for the third quarter will be published on October 19, 2005.

Internet: www.akzonobel.com

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Sabine Schueller    
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Intervet International bv     
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