The Canadian Center for Veterinary Biologics (CCVB) Approves NOBIVAC® NXT 3-Rabies from Merck Animal Health

Kirkland, QC, March, 30, 2026– Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE:MRK), announced today the approval of the NOBIVAC® NXT 3-Rabies vaccine in Canada as part of the company’s ongoing dedication to rabies protection.

The NOBIVAC® NXT 3-rabies is a first vaccine that leverages Ribonucleic acid (RNA)-particle technology to help protect both cats and dogs from rabies. With this technology, the vaccine, which is composed of RNA particles, stimulates both the humoral and cell-mediated immune response. The new NOBIVAC® NXT 3-Rabies vaccine is adjuvant and preservative-free. 

“As a company deeply rooted in innovation and the discovery and development of medicines and vaccines that contribute to the health and wellbeing of animals, Merck Animal Health is proud to offer a protective solution for veterinary professionals in Canada to administer to dogs and cats,” said Susanne Martin, Companion Animal Business Unit Director, Merck Animal. “Novel vaccine technologies, such as the NOBIVAC® NXT line, can play a pivotal role in contributing to the improvements in the health and safety of animals by targeting specific disease risks, while providing veterinary professionals with a customized approach to protect pets against a wide range of viral and bacterial pathogens.”

Protection against rabies is imperative. It is a viral zoonotic disease – primarily spread to humans and pets through bites and scratches from an infected animal – and is deadly if medical care is not received before symptoms appear. While there continues to be advances in the development of safe and efficacious vaccines and technologies to protect against rabies, the disease continues to kill tens of thousands of people around the world each year due to under vaccination and lack of access to preventive care.

“Rabies is one of the deadliest global diseases for companion animals and humans, yet it is highly avoidable through routine vaccination,” said Ivan Mateus DVM, companion animal marketing manager, Merck Animal Health. “That’s why at Merck Animal Health, we stress the importance of taking the preventive measure to vaccinate pets to protect against this deadly disease. Leveraging the NOBIVAC® NXT technology, veterinarian professionals can prevent animal health issues such as rabies quickly and safely, while mitigating significant spread of the disease.”

Beyond its continued commitment to enhance and provide safe, efficacious vaccines to protect against rabies, Merck Animal Health, the maker of NOBIVAC® vaccines, is committed to making a difference. For more than 25 years, Merck Animal Health has been supporting the Afya Program – a global non-profit initiative that provides rabies vaccines for use in developing regions that desperately need care. The company has dedicated full support behind the humanitarian efforts of its global partners, including  Rabies Free Africa and Mission Rabies, and their goal of eliminating canine-mediated rabies. As a result, over two million dogs have been vaccinated in countries around the world since 2013.