Elanco Launches TruCan Ultra Lyme-L4 for Lyme and Leptospirosis Protection
Elanco Animal Health Incorporated announced that it has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for TruCan Ultra Lyme-L4, further strengthening its TruCan Ultra vaccine portfolio. The newly approved vaccine is the first and only low-volume (1/2 mL) combination vaccine developed to protect dogs against both Lyme disease and leptospirosis—two infectious diseases that continue to pose growing risks to canine health.
As the latest addition to the TruCan Ultra range, the vaccine delivers the same comprehensive protection offered by the existing 1 mL formulation while requiring only half the injection volume. This enables veterinarians to provide protection against multiple diseases through a single injection, reducing the need for additional shots during wellness visits.
TruCan Ultra Lyme-L4 incorporates Elanco's proprietary PureFil Technology, which is designed to minimize vaccine reactions associated with excess protein content while maintaining strong immune protection. This approach helps support patient comfort without compromising efficacy.
Commenting on the approval, Bobby Modi, Executive Vice President of U.S. Pet Health and Global Digital Transformation at Elanco, stated that the achievement reflects the company's ongoing focus on advancing vaccine innovation. He noted that the highly purified, low-volume combination vaccine provides veterinarians with an effective option to address important vaccination gaps while enhancing the overall vaccination experience for dogs.
The approval comes at a time when awareness of canine infectious diseases continues to grow. According to current veterinary guidance, all dogs are considered at risk of leptospirosis regardless of breed, size, lifestyle, or location. The disease is now classified as a core vaccination requirement under American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommendations. At the same time, Lyme disease is expanding into new geographic regions, while studies indicate that more than 40 percent of dogs living in high-risk endemic areas remain unprotected against Lyme disease despite receiving core vaccinations.
Dr. Jessica Pritchard, Clinical Assistant Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, emphasized that both leptospirosis and Lyme disease continue to be significant health concerns for dogs across the United States. She explained that leptospirosis vaccination is now regarded as essential because exposure risks exist nationwide, including in urban and suburban environments. She added that preventive vaccination, combined with informed discussions between veterinarians and pet owners regarding lifestyle-related risks, is critical for reducing the incidence of these preventable diseases.
Clinical data for the TruCan Ultra Lyme vaccine range demonstrate strong effectiveness, including 92.2 percent protection against naturally occurring infections in highly endemic regions and complete protection in controlled laboratory studies. By combining protection against Lyme disease and leptospirosis into a single injection, the vaccine is expected to improve the vaccination experience for pets, owners, and veterinary professionals alike.
The USDA approval follows the recent authorization of other additions to the TruCan Ultra portfolio, including TruCan Ultra B (Oral), the first oral Bordetella vaccine available in a 1/2 mL dose, and TruCan Ultra CIV H3N2/H3N8, the only bivalent canine influenza vaccine offered in the same low-volume format. Together, these products expand the availability of highly purified, low-volume vaccination options, enabling veterinary teams to customize immunization strategies based on the specific needs of individual dogs.
Elanco expects TruCan Ultra Lyme-L4 to become commercially available and begin shipping within the next month.
Click here to know more.
As the latest addition to the TruCan Ultra range, the vaccine delivers the same comprehensive protection offered by the existing 1 mL formulation while requiring only half the injection volume. This enables veterinarians to provide protection against multiple diseases through a single injection, reducing the need for additional shots during wellness visits.
TruCan Ultra Lyme-L4 incorporates Elanco's proprietary PureFil Technology, which is designed to minimize vaccine reactions associated with excess protein content while maintaining strong immune protection. This approach helps support patient comfort without compromising efficacy.
Commenting on the approval, Bobby Modi, Executive Vice President of U.S. Pet Health and Global Digital Transformation at Elanco, stated that the achievement reflects the company's ongoing focus on advancing vaccine innovation. He noted that the highly purified, low-volume combination vaccine provides veterinarians with an effective option to address important vaccination gaps while enhancing the overall vaccination experience for dogs.
The approval comes at a time when awareness of canine infectious diseases continues to grow. According to current veterinary guidance, all dogs are considered at risk of leptospirosis regardless of breed, size, lifestyle, or location. The disease is now classified as a core vaccination requirement under American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommendations. At the same time, Lyme disease is expanding into new geographic regions, while studies indicate that more than 40 percent of dogs living in high-risk endemic areas remain unprotected against Lyme disease despite receiving core vaccinations.
Dr. Jessica Pritchard, Clinical Assistant Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, emphasized that both leptospirosis and Lyme disease continue to be significant health concerns for dogs across the United States. She explained that leptospirosis vaccination is now regarded as essential because exposure risks exist nationwide, including in urban and suburban environments. She added that preventive vaccination, combined with informed discussions between veterinarians and pet owners regarding lifestyle-related risks, is critical for reducing the incidence of these preventable diseases.
Clinical data for the TruCan Ultra Lyme vaccine range demonstrate strong effectiveness, including 92.2 percent protection against naturally occurring infections in highly endemic regions and complete protection in controlled laboratory studies. By combining protection against Lyme disease and leptospirosis into a single injection, the vaccine is expected to improve the vaccination experience for pets, owners, and veterinary professionals alike.
The USDA approval follows the recent authorization of other additions to the TruCan Ultra portfolio, including TruCan Ultra B (Oral), the first oral Bordetella vaccine available in a 1/2 mL dose, and TruCan Ultra CIV H3N2/H3N8, the only bivalent canine influenza vaccine offered in the same low-volume format. Together, these products expand the availability of highly purified, low-volume vaccination options, enabling veterinary teams to customize immunization strategies based on the specific needs of individual dogs.
Elanco expects TruCan Ultra Lyme-L4 to become commercially available and begin shipping within the next month.
Click here to know more.
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