INDIANAPOLIS, June 15, 2026
Elanco Animal Health Incorporated has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved TruCan™ Ultra Lyme-L4, the first and only 1/2 mL combination vaccine for dogs that protects against both Lyme disease and leptospirosis. The approval expands Elanco’s growing TruCan Ultra vaccine portfolio and introduces a low-volume formulation designed to improve convenience for veterinarians while enhancing the vaccination experience for pets. By combining protection against two significant canine infectious diseases into a single injection, the vaccine reduces the number of injections required during routine wellness visits and addresses growing concerns surrounding Lyme disease and leptospirosis, both of which continue to pose increasing threats to canine health across the United States. Product shipments are expected to begin within the next 30 days, providing veterinary clinics with a new option to strengthen preventive healthcare programs for dogs.
First Low-Volume Combination Vaccine Targets Two Major Canine Diseases
The newly approved TruCan Ultra Lyme-L4 delivers broad protection against both Lyme disease and leptospirosis in a compact 1/2 mL dose, making it the first vaccine of its kind available for veterinary use. The product offers the same level of disease protection as larger-volume formulations while reducing injection volume by half. Importantly, the vaccine combines what traditionally required two separate injections into a single administration, helping minimize stress for pets and improving efficiency during veterinary visits. Lyme disease continues to expand into new geographic regions, while leptospirosis is now recognized as a core vaccine for dogs due to the widespread risk of exposure regardless of breed, lifestyle, size or location.
Veterinary experts emphasize that both diseases can cause serious illness and long-term health complications, making preventive vaccination a critical component of canine wellness programs. By simplifying immunization protocols, Elanco aims to improve vaccine compliance and help close existing protection gaps among at-risk dog populations.
PureFil Technology Designed to Improve Vaccine Experience
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A key feature of TruCan Ultra Lyme-L4 is Elanco’s proprietary PureFil™ Technology, which is designed to reduce vaccination reactions associated with unwanted protein components that may be present in vaccine formulations. The highly purified vaccine platform reflects the company’s ongoing focus on advancing veterinary vaccine innovation through improved formulation technologies. According to Elanco, the new vaccine supports both patient comfort and clinical effectiveness without compromising protection against targeted pathogens.
Clinical data from previous studies have demonstrated strong efficacy associated with the TruCan Ultra Lyme vaccine platform, including 92.2% efficacy against natural infection in highly endemic regions and 100% efficacy in controlled laboratory evaluations. Combined with its low-volume formulation and reduced injection burden, the vaccine offers veterinary professionals a practical solution for enhancing preventive care while maintaining strong disease protection standards.
Strengthening Preventive Veterinary Medicine Through Innovation
The USDA approval of TruCan Ultra Lyme-L4 follows a series of recent regulatory successes for Elanco’s TruCan Ultra portfolio, including approvals for TruCan Ultra B (Oral) and TruCan Ultra CIV H3N2/H3N8, both designed to improve convenience and flexibility in canine vaccination programs. Together, these products form part of Elanco’s broader strategy to provide veterinarians with customizable immunization solutions tailored to individual patient needs. Growing awareness of vector-borne and zoonotic diseases has increased demand for comprehensive preventive healthcare approaches, particularly as environmental changes continue to influence disease transmission patterns.
With millions of dogs potentially at risk for Lyme disease and leptospirosis, the approval of TruCan Ultra Lyme-L4 represents an important advancement in veterinary medicine. By combining innovative vaccine technology, reduced injection volume and broad-spectrum disease protection, Elanco is reinforcing its leadership in animal health and supporting veterinary professionals in delivering safer, more efficient and more effective preventive care. The launch of the vaccine underscores the company’s commitment to advancing companion animal health through science-driven innovation and next-generation vaccine development.
Source: Elanco Animal Health press release
