What studies are currently being done with GonaCon?
A. Ongoing field studies near Silver Spring, MD, are providing additional data on the efficacy of the vaccine on white-tailed deer. At a fenced military facility, 28 adult does were captured, equipped with eartags and radiotelemetry transmitters, and injected with GonaCon. The reproductive behavior and reaction of these does will be monitored for 2 years and compared with those of 15 unvaccinated adult does that inhabit an adjacent, enclosed parcel of similar habitat. Preliminary data from 2005 shows the vaccine to be 85–90 percent effective in treated deer. In July 2005, a similar field study involving another 30 to 40 deer was started in Morris County, NJ. Results from this and the Maryland study will aid in the final FDA approval process for establishing GonaCon as a new animal drug. WS scientists are collaborating with Pennsylvania State University to conduct pivotal studies required by FDA on the toxicity and safety of GonaCon in captive deer. Responses of treated and control grou
