Innovative Approaches to Poultry Health
“Innovative Approaches to Poultry Health: A Conversation with Interface Pharmaceuticals”
Q1. Interface pharmaceuticals was founded in 1999 with a mission to enable the poultry chain to provide high quality, disease- free meat. How has this vision evolved over the years, and wat major milestones have defined your journey?
In 1999, Interface Pharmaceuticals established its mission to supply the world with high-quality, disease-free, and antibiotic-free chicken. Our aim has always been to explore how much immunity can be developed to achieve optimal productivity and profitability. Over the years, our vision has evolved to focus on changing the perception of poultry farming by emphasizing protection, performance, productivity, and profits. We strive to transform the approach to modern poultry management, enabling farmers to compete effectively in international markets.
Q2. Your company was a pioneer in launching immune-modulation for poultry at all stages. What challenges did you face in introducing this concept to the market, and how has the poultry industry benefited from it?
When we first introduced the concept of immunomodulation for poultry, it was largely unfamiliar to the market. I faced many skeptical comments, with people questioning my sanity for pursuing this approach. I would often respond that we would revisit this conversation in 2010 and see how many companies would adopt the concept. My prediction proved correct after the first HPAI outbreak in 2004, which prompted a few companies to enter the field. By 2008, when CIAV attacks became evident, even more companies began claiming to offer immunomodulation products.
Our pioneering work have considerably benefited the chicken industry, since immunomodulation has increased health and productivity, resulting in more sustainable farming practices.
Q3. With over six immune modulators and products like Readymune and Intermune, what differentiates your products from others in the market, and how do they contribute to the high productivity levels you’ve mentioned for layers, breeders, and broilers?
Our strategy begins with changing farmers’ perspectives and teaching them on protection, which directly leads to better flock performance. This leads to increased production and overall profitability. For layers, we obtained over 82% output for up to 162 weeks without moulting; even during peak summer and winter, we produced more than the benchmark. We’ve kept over 200 chickens and produced 188+ hatching eggs during a 68-week period, with an average hatchability of 82-86%.
What distinguishes our solutions, such as Readymune and Intermune, from others on the market is their shown efficacy in improving immunity and health, resulting in high productivity levels for layers, breeders and broilers.
Q4. Can you elaborate on how Intermune has established itself as the top brand for controlling viral diseases like HPAI, ND, and others? What makes it so effective in checking immune-suppression in poultry?
Intermune has established itself as a prominent brand for viral illness control, including HPAI, LPAI, and ND, after over 11 years of significant study. Its effectiveness has earned it various nicknames, including SANJIVINI, AMRIT, and BRAHMASTRA, which reflect the excellent outcomes reported by farmers. Many users stated that they were able to control their viral symptoms within 2 to 24 hours of treatment. It is commonly stated that if you line up ten immunomodulators, nine would fail, while Intermune dependably produces effects. This dependability in checking immunological suppression in poultry is what makes Intermune so effective and trusted in the industry.
Q5. Many poultry farmers using your products have reportedly eliminated the need for antibiotics while achieving increased returns. Can you share more details on how your products contribute to this antibiotic free approach and its significance for the industry?
We successfully grew millions of chicks without using antibiotics or immunizations, considerably decreasing stress on the animals. This strategy has enhanced farmers’ production and profitability. We promise a 1:3 return on investment if our protocols are followed completely. This commitment has been confirmed for over 25 years, resulting in a 100% client retention rate. The importance of this antibiotic-free strategy is not only to improve animal health and wellbeing, but also to meet customer demand for safer and more sustainable meat production.
Q6. Your products have shown success in improving semen quality and overall health in bovines and equines. What prompted Interface Pharmaceuticals to expand into the large animal segment, and what are your future plans for this division?
Yes! We initially tested our product, PROTOFACE, on non-performing bulls aged 2½ to 3½ years, from which no semen was collected. After being placed on trial, they began producing semen within 6 to 8 weeks. This success is well documented by BAIF, which has continued to use PROTOFACE since 2003. Notably, during the FMD outbreak in 2007, the bulls receiving PROTOFACE were spared from the disease. Since then, BAIF has supplemented FMD vaccinations with our product, successfully preventing infections even when outbreaks occurred in the vicinity.
Our expansion into the large animal segment was driven by these positive results, and we plan to further develop and promote products that enhance reproductive health and overall well-being in bovines and equines.
Q7. Recently, you launched Multimune, designed to combat viral, bacterial, and protozoal diseases. How does this product work, and what early feedback have you received from the market?
Multimune is an innovative product designed to replace conventional antibiotics in poultry. One notable case involved severe necrotic enteritis, where all types of oral and injectable antibiotics were ineffective due to the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, after administering Multimune, the situation was under control within 48 hours. The treatment was repeated weekly for the next two months, and there have been no subsequent outbreaks. Several corporate farms are now regularly using Multimune to effectively manage diseases.
Early feedback from the market has been overwhelmingly positive, with many users reporting improved health outcomes for their flocks.
 Q8. Your products are already well established in India, Nepal what are your future plans for international expansion, and how do you see your brand competing in global markets?
The global market has a significant demand for our products, especially as the poultry industry seeks to provide healthier chicken options. With the increasing frequency of viral outbreaks causing substantial losses, our solutions can help mitigate these challenges for farmers worldwide. If the global poultry community recognizes and adopts our approach to poultry management, it could lead to substantial improvements in productivity and profitability.
Our future plans for international expansion include targeting key markets where our products can make a meaningful impact, ensuring we compete effectively by showcasing our proven track record and commitment to quality.
Q9. Innovation seems to be at the core of your company. How do research and development play a role in maintaining Interface Pharmaceuticals competitive edge, and what are the next big developments we can expect?
Innovation is fundamental to our company’s success. We continuously assess our products at both farmer and institutional levels. For example, we developed Readymune back in 2011, anticipating that future breeds would be raised for up to 100 weeks. In our trials, we successfully kept birds for up to 162 weeks without moulting, achieving production rates of 82-86%. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 lockdown, we extended our trials to 272 weeks, maintaining an 82% production rate.
Recently, we introduced RESPAFEED, which effectively controls ammonia levels and promotes smoother inhalation for the birds.
Looking ahead, we are committed to further advancements in research and development to enhance poultry health and productivity, with exciting new developments on the horizon.
Q10. With increasing consumer demand for sustainable and ethically produced meat, how does Interface Pharmaceuticals Contribute to creating a more sustainable and responsible poultry industry?
We are certified as a WHITE category company by the Ministry of Environment, Government of India, which highlights our commitment to sustainability. We achieve zero emissions of gases and effluents, and we utilize any waste generated as fertilizer for our plants. This not only minimizes our environmental impact but also contributes to a more sustainable and responsible poultry industry. Our practices align with the growing consumer demand for ethically produced meat, reinforcing our dedication to both animal welfare and environmental stewardship.
