Grand Laboratories, Inc' Biologics Research and Development Larchwood, IA By:Scott Smit

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Grand Laboratories, Inc.Biologics Research and
Development Larchwood, IA ByScott Smit
Grand labs


Grand Laboratories, Inc. is a closely held
private corporation owned in large by Dr. Duane
Pankratz. Grand labs started producing
veterinary biologics full time in 1971. Since
then, Grand Laboratories ahs grown to be the
fifth largest food animal vaccine manufacturer
for the USA market. Grand laboratories staff is
the most important and part of the company. Each
employee has a vested interest in surpassing all
expectations with every product use. As a
smaller, well managed company, Grand Labs has and
maintains the ability to adapt and respond to the
demands and changes of today's commercial and
autogenous vaccine needs.
Grand Laboratories physical plant includes
research and development and production
facilities.
Overview


As an intern at Grand Laboratories I took part in
the virus research and development of several
types of vaccines. I also had a opportunity to
work with and learn about several viruses that
are currently having a direct impact on
production animal health. BVD I, BVD II, BRSV,
PI3 , are the main diseases that I had the chance
to work with. After completing this internship,
I have gained a very important and broad
knowledge of the testing and research needed to
develop and market a new vaccine. Developing a
new vaccine is only half the battle however.
After it is established that a vaccine works and
is needed in the industry, it must be put
through a licensing process which includes
several challenge studies that can take years
and thousands of pages of paperwork. Learning
about this process I feel was one of the most
valuable things I got out of my experience at
Grand.
Take a Broader Look

Grand Laboratories Currently produces over 110
different vaccines for Bovine, Porcine, and
Equine. Some of Grands most popular Vaccines
include Scour Bos, Vira shield, TGE Shield, and
Rhini Shield. As an Intern, you will have the
opportunity to take part in the development of
new vaccines that will hit the market in the next
several years.
Duties


The internship provided me with the opportunity
to work in both the laboratory, as well as in the
field with test animals. My position, titled
research assistant, gave me experience in several
of the tests used in determining the
effectiveness of a vaccine.
Benefits

-I Worked in a fun environment with a team of
research scientists that made work
interesting. -My internship will greatly
increase my chances of being accepted to vet
school -Above average hourly wage -The
knowledge that I took from this summers work will
greatly benefit me in any class dealing with
microbiology, Immunology, and animal science.
A typical week in my intern usually consisted of
two days working with the test animals taking
samples, and three days in the lab processing
those samples and recording the results.
Recording data is offten an overlooked part of
work in the Lab, however, in licensing a new
vaccine, it becomes the most important part.
Every result of every test must be recorded and
saved for government inspection.
Contacts

If Interested contact For more
information Grand Laboratories Scott A.
Smit 1447 140th St. 729-20th Ave. Larchwood,
IA Brookings, SD (712)-477-2811 (605)-692-593
3 1-800-454-3424 scottsmit_at_hotmail.com
In the field, I helped in vaccinating and
challenging test animals. Then, blood, fecal, and
nasal samples were taken every day to monitor the
animals immune response to the vaccine.