AVANT's Megan Health subsidiary has developed and commercialized a Salmonella vaccine for broiler chickens, called Megan®Vac 1. In November 2003, AVANT received notification from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) of the licensure of its second Salmonella vaccine, Megan®Egg, for use in breeding and laying hens. By eliminating targeted bacteria in the birds and their eggs, these vaccines increase food safety. In 2002, AVANT appointed Lohmann Animal Health International, a leading supplier of vaccines to the poultry industry, as the exclusive distributor for these vaccines in North America.