More than 150 guests, including representatives from local government, academia, livestock industry attended the grand opening ceremony of the research center at Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The ceremony marks the start of a 5-year agreement between SANPHAR Vietnam Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of SANPHAR Asia Pte. Ltd. (part of the ERBER Group) and Nong Lam University.

SANPHAR has taken over and expanded the microbiological part of the facilities and used them for epidemiological research and diagnostic services in infectious diseases in livestock. The facilities have been outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and are able to execute the full range of experiments in modern veterinary bacteriology, virology, parasitology, pathology, serology and molecular biology.

This R&D facility will help SANPHAR get a thorough understanding of the incidences and prevalence of infectious diseases in livestock populations and the infectious as well as immunological status of single farms throughout Vietnam. It will also serve as a support base for SANPHAR’s research and development efforts in Asia. The facility and SANPHAR staff will also support Nong Lam University’s animal science and veterinary faculties in their efforts to educate and train the next generation of animal husbandry professionals and academics.

“With this move SANPHAR is taking an important step in reinforcing its presence in animal health markets in Asia, beyond its roots in Brazil and Latin America,” says Kai GRATHWOHL, Managing Director, SANPHAR Asia Pacific.

The opening ceremony coincided with the opening of the BIOMIN Aquaculture Center for Applied Nutrition at Nong Lam University. BIOMIN, a leader in animal nutrition, is also a part of ERBER Group.