On the occasion of his recent incorporation to Syva, Javier Sanz Martín, our Marketing Director, granted an interview to the journalists of the veterinary platform ‘Animal’s Health’.

In this interview, he not only shares his satisfaction at joining Syva but also highlights a pivotal moment in the development of the company’s strategic plan, which strengthens its ability to address the challenges of a rapidly evolving veterinary sector.
With the arrival of Bluetongue serotype 3 in Spain and the ongoing presence of Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease (EHD) since 2022, cattle and sheep farmers are facing significant challenges.
This situation also represents an opportunity for Syva to reaffirm its commitment to veterinarians and farmers in combating Bluetongue. It is a chance to emphasize our extensive experience in developing vaccines for this disease over the past 20 years, as well as the recent temporary authorization, under Article 110(2) of Regulation EU2019/6, of our subunit DIVA vaccine against EHD, Syvac^® EH Marker.
Read the full interview below.
You can also read it on the Animal’sHealth website.
Interview with Javier Sanz Martín – Marketing Director of Laboratorios Syva

‘”At Syva, we were the first to launch a vaccine against Bluetongue serotype 3 in the European Union.”

In 2024, two diseases have significantly impacted the daily life of the veterinary and animal health sector: Bluetongue and Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease (EHD). For Bluetongue, after serotype 3 of the virus was initially detected in Portugal, it spread to Spain, with the first cases confirmed in the provinces of Badajoz and Huelva.
This serotype, which has also been found in other European countries, has gradually spread to different areas of Spain. In response, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food has adapted protective measures accordingly.
Meanwhile, Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease has resulted in around 200 outbreaks across Spain, raising significant concern among livestock farmers.
To gain insight into the current situation regarding these diseases and the tools available to veterinarians and farmers, Animal’s Health interviewed Javier Sanz Martín, who recently joined the Spanish company Syva as Marketing Director. With over two decades of experience in protecting cattle and sheep against Bluetongue, Syva has recently received a temporary use permit in Spain under Article 110 (2) of Regulation EU2019/6 from the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) for its vaccines against bluetongue serotype 3 (Syvazul BTV® 3) and Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease (Syvac® EH Marker).

[AH] [AH] You have recently joined Laboratorios Syva as Marketing Director. How do you feel about this new chapter? What expertise do you bring from your background in the veterinary industry?

[JSM] [JSM] With great excitement. Excitement best describes my feelings during these first weeks at Syva. I am joining the company at an exciting time, with a strategic plan that promises significant advancements in this new chapter for Syva.
For my part, I aim to contribute to this ambitious project and, alongside our customers, grow and build a successful future together.

[AH] [AH] What are Syva’s challenges for the future?

[JSM] [JSM] Syva has a long-standing reputation in animal health and is well-recognized in the Spanish market as well as in other countries where we have subsidiaries. One of our key challenges is international expansion. This growth aligns with the overall development of the company, not just in the business area, but also in R&D, regulatory affairs, and production capacity, which requires significant investment.
For instance, addressing emerging diseases is a major challenge for us and clearly demonstrates Syva’s commitment to its customers.

[AH] [AH] Bluetongue is a highly topical issue in the animal health sector. What is the general situation in Spain and Europe regarding the different serotypes?

[JSM] [JSM] The situation is rapidly evolving. The emergence of serotype 3 in September 2023 in the Netherlands, and its subsequent arrival in Spain, has posed new challenges.
This variant spreads faster, is more virulent, and leads to severe clinical consequences in animals (e.g., reproductive issues, lameness, mastitis, weight loss) and sometimes death. Additionally, it has caused significant economic losses, impacting animal health and international trade.
In this context, proactive vaccination remains the most effective control measure. Since several serotypes are currently circulating, it is crucial to vaccinate against all of them, as there is no cross-protection.

[AH] [AH] Syva is committed to combating Bluetongue. What efforts has the company made in this regard over the years? What experience does Laboratorios Syva have with this disease?

[JSM] [JSM] Syva has over 20 years of experience in researching and producing bluetongue vaccines, protecting millions of cattle and sheep against this virus while working closely with veterinarians and farmers.
Syva is the expert and also the leader in the European Union with Syvazul® BTV, a European-registered vaccine that provides immunity against Bluetongue virus serotypes 1, 4, and 8, allowing for vaccination against two serotypes in a single application. Since 2019, more than 130 million doses (2 ml) have been administered.

[AH] [AH] Bluetongue serotype 3 was first detected in the Netherlands in September 2023, quickly spreading to neighbouring countries. In 2024, it reached Portugal and then Spain, prompting updates to protective measures. The Spanish Medicines Agency (AEMPS) recently approved your Syvazul® BTV 3 vaccine for emergency use against serotype 3. Can you tell us more about it?

[JSM] [JSM] Given the urgency of the situation, Syva managed to develop Syvazul® BTV 3 in just eight months, maintaining the same high standards of quality, efficacy, and safety as our multi-strain vaccine Syvazul® BTV. This vaccine received a temporary use permit in Spain under Article 110 (2) of Regulation EU2019/6 and was the first to become available in the country following the outbreak. Syva has worked quickly to supply the vaccine and provide solutions to the sector. The first Dutch sheep received a dose of Syvazul® BTV 3 on May 6, 2024, bringing hope to the livestock community in the Netherlands. The temporary use permit for Syvazul® BTV 3 has also been granted in countries such as Belgium, Germany, Austria, and the UK, making it an invaluable experience for managing the current temporary permits in Spain and Portugal following detected outbreaks.

[AH] [AH] In addition to Spain, other European countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, the UK, Sweden, Portugal, Italy, Denmark, and Switzerland have authorized Syvazul® BTV 3 for emergency use. Does this reflect the confidence of European authorities in your vaccines? How significant is this for Syva?

[JSM] [JSM] Absolutely, it reflects a strong trust in our vaccines. In the case of serotype 3, the Netherlands was the first EU country where this aggressive strain was detected, and Syva was the first company to provide a vaccine. It is estimated that over 90% of Dutch sheep have been vaccinated with Syvazul® BTV 3. Data from the Dutch sheep farmers’ association indicate that before vaccination, mortality levels in outbreaks exceeded 73%, whereas after vaccination, mortality dropped to 10%. We expect even better results in 2025, as vaccination will begin before the vector activity period.
The demand for our vaccine across Europe is a clear recognition of Syva’s expertise and commitment. Even in northern countries such as Germany and Poland, outbreaks have already been reported, further highlighting the urgency of our efforts. In Belgium, vaccination against Bluetongue and Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease has even been made mandatory. Syva is unwavering in its commitment to provide veterinarians and farmers with the necessary vaccines. Together with the authorities, who are giving the priority that this emergency situation requires, we are making the necessary efforts to deal with this epizootic. We are also on alert, as the threat of new Bluetongue serotypes, as well as Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease, is always present in the case of these emerging diseases.

[AH] [AH] I guess, with so many countries needing tools like your vaccines, it is necessary to have muscle to cope with the huge demand that has been generated. How are you managing this situation at Syva?

[JSM] [JSM] Providing meaningful solutions in animal health is our ‘raison d’être’, and nothing makes more sense in this time than to be at the side of veterinarians, farmers and also administrations.
We were the first to launch a vaccine against Bluetongue serotype 3 in the European Union. We were able to make the vaccine available to veterinarians and farmers within 8 months of the disease outbreak in the Netherlands thanks to the efforts of our team focused on developing and manufacturing the Syvazul® BTV 3 vaccine to provide a solution to a serious animal health problem.
Currently, we have a great challenge: to have the capacity to produce according to demand. Vaccine production requires certain processes and a certain time. Our efforts are aimed at producing sufficient vaccine against serotype 3, the rest of the serotypes and also against Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease, at such a critical time as that being experienced by livestock farmers in Europe. Fortunately, 20 years of experience in this type of vaccines, as well as our investment capacity, are part of the “muscle” to which you refer. However, we are aware of the feelings of frustration of farmers when they see that they do not have sufficient doses to protect their herds.
The production process of vaccines and the complexity due to the number of circulating serotypes greatly complicate the marketing of these products. However, at Syva we are sending out a message of confidence, as we are providing the human and material resources to maximise our production capacity.

[AH] [AH] There is a certain lack of knowledge about Bluetongue in Spain and in this regard, in recent days, some groups have claimed that there is concern among some farmers about vaccination against Bluetongue, is there really any reason for concern?

[JSM] [JSM] As we discussed earlier, many factors are coming together simultaneously:

• Serotype 3 is more virulent and spreads faster.
• The rest of the serotypes are still circulating, there is no cross-protection between them and sometimes the exact causative serotype is not known or there are even multiple infections.
• Vaccination is currently being carried out on outbreaks, and vaccination must be carried out before the period of vector circulation or on healthy animals.
• We are maximising our production capacity, but the manufacturing process takes time.

All this is making the bluetongue situation in Spain difficult to manage at the moment for authorities, veterinarians and farmers. Vaccination is the most effective measure for disease prevention. It should be borne in mind that vaccination must be carried out prior to vector circulation and that the emergency vaccination on outbreaks that is currently being carried out has limited effect. Now the quiet period of winter is starting, we have to prepare everything for the next immunization campaign: vaccination of specific areas with the right serotypes in healthy animals and at the right time. With these measures the fight against bluetongue disease will be as successful as it has been in Spain in the past.

[AH] [AH] Also, recently, in response to the situation caused by Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease (EHD), the AEMPS announced the temporary use permit for your Syvac® EH Marker vaccine against the disease. How is the evolution of EHD in Spain?

[JSM] [JSM] Throughout the year 2024, virus circulation has been observed mainly in the northern third of the peninsula, where there were hardly any outbreaks in 2023. Northern Castilla y León, Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria have reported outbreaks with clinical implications and medium-term repercussions that need to be assessed. What does seem clear is that both EHDV-8 (epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus) and the bluetongue virus with its different serotypes are here to stay, taking into account the trend in average temperatures in our country.

[AH] [AH] What are the distinguishing features of this new EHD vaccine?

[JSM] [JSM] Syvac® EH Marker is the first and only subunit vaccine available on the European market against Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease. Thanks to DIVA technology, Syvac® EH Marker is able to induce an antibody response that can be differentiated from that produced by natural infection or by other conventional vaccines. The acronym DIVA is used to describe these vaccines: “DIFFERENTIATING INFECTED FROM VACCINATED ANIMALS”.

[AH] [AH] How do you see Syva’s future?

[JSM] [JSM] From my experience in the sector, I can confidently say that very few companies in our industry have the potential to make the leap and become globally relevant players. As a Spanish company, Syva is one of those rare companies with such potential. Since its foundation in 1941, Syva has come a long way, and its journey is no accident. Few people know that “Syva” stands for “Sueros y VAcunas” (Serums and Vaccines), a name that encapsulates the company’s founding vision. This vision is more relevant today than ever, guiding us toward a promising future. This knowledge and experience, the fruit of our history, which places us in a good position to face the challenges, are decisive in the construction of our future, which is undoubtedly ahead of us in splendour.

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22 January, 2025

Syva receives a positive opinion for Syvazul BTV 3 vaccine from the CVMP of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

On 15 January 2025, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) issued a positive opinion recommending the granting of a marketing authorization for Syvazul BTV 3 vaccine. This step forward marks an important milestone in the fight against Bluetongue, and Syva is proud to be at the forefront of this innovation.

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