Hi Cherie,
Sorry if there was any confusion regarding the links I sent!!
The development of interferon was carried out by TORAY
INDUSTRIES (Japan)
The preparation of the active ingredient is done at TORAY (Japan)
The active ingredient, i.e. the desalted bulk of interferon, is
transported from Toray (Japan) to VIRBAC (FRANCE).
It's the same 'stuff' that is being ordered by members on this
list.
Here is one of the messages from the felvlist
archives......(1999).
Cheers!
Glenda
Feline interferon
Hi, Sue and all
The problem we have with interferon (Intron-A) is that once it is
prepared, it loses part of efficiency quickly (my vet says), therefore,
we are attempting to verify what type of interferon you use which can
be kept during so much time, and in spite of the fact Salamanca is a
university city, unfortunately, there isn't vet school. :((
Concerning the possibility to obtain Intercat in USA or Europe, in the
web page of Toray laboratory we can read:
"Toray Gives Sole Developing and Marketing Rights for Intercat in
Europe to France-Based Virbac Toray Industries, Inc., has announced
that it has given rights to develop and market Intercat in Europe to
Virbac S.A., of France. Intercat is drawing international attention as
the world's first recombinant feline interferon agent for companion
animals. Under the arrangement, Virbac will work with Toray in
conducting clinical tests to acquire approval for Intercat from
European authorities.
Toray foresees considerable demand for Intercat in Europe, where the
population of domesticated cats totals over 35 million -- almost 5
times the number in Japan.
Headquartered in Nice, Virbac manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals
for animals worldwide -- the fifth largest supplier in the world of
such products for small animals. As part of its operations, Virbac is
developing Leucogen, a recombinant feline leukemia vaccine that is
already being marketed in Europe, USA and Japan.
Through Kyoritsu Shoji K.K. (Headquarters: Tokyo; President:Yuriko
Takai), Toray has been marketing Intercat in Japan since
February 1994 as an antiviral agent effective against the infectious
disease commonly known as cats' cold, which is caused by feline
calicivirus. Development and marketing rights for Intercat in
the Americas have been given to Schering-Plough Corp., of the United
States, where the further development of Intercat is continuing."
Well, I haven't found anything about Intercat at Schering-Plough
laboratory but at Virbac web page WE CAN READ:
"Interferon, the first veterinary antiviral agent. Developed by the
Japanese company TORAY, interferon is a natural compound with antiviral
properties.Used in Japan for calicivirosis in cats and parvovirosis in
dogs, interferon has inspired great hopes among European veterinarians.
In 1997, Virbac obtained exclusive rights for the distribution of this
drug in Europe, and the rights for its application for other
therapeutic indications."
http://www.virbac.fr
Why vets doesn't know this?. I will tell him IMMEDIATELLY!.
If I would obtain more information, I will post.
Greetings
Cesar