Animal Health News & Notes for October 3, 2003

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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for October 3, 2003
Copyright © Brakke Consulting, Inc.
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You can now use this section to jump directly to a news item about a particular company.  Simply click on the company name. To return to the top of the newsletter, use the scroll button on the right of your email window.
 
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Farnam
First Priority (copper naphthenate)
First Priority (pyrantel)
Fort Dodge
Heska
Lallemand
Phoenix Scientific
Veterinary Products Laboratories
Veterinary Laboratories
Vétoquinol
 
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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES

>  The FDA amended the animal drug regulations to reflect approval of an abbreviated new animal drug application (ANADA) filed by Heska Corp. The ANADA provides for use of chewable tablets containing ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate for prevention of heartworm disease and for treatment and control of certain gastrointestinal parasites in dogs. (AnimalNet – Federal Register)

>   The FDA amended the animal drug regulations to reflect approval of an abbreviated new animal drug application (ANADA) filed by First Priority, Inc. The ANADA provides for oral use of two strengths of pyrantel pamoate suspension in dogs for the management of various internal parasites. (AnimalNet – Federal Register)

>  The FDA amended the animal drug regulations to reflect approval of an abbreviated new animal drug application (ANADA) filed by First Priority, Inc. The ANADA provides for topical use of copper naphthenate solution on horses and ponies as an aid in treating thrush caused by organisms susceptible to copper naphthenate. (AnimalNet – Federal Register)

>  The FDA amended the animal drug regulations to reflect approval of an abbreviated new animal drug application (ANADA) filed by Phoenix Scientific, Inc. The ANADA provides for the oral use of praziquantel tablets for the removal and control of certain cestode parasites in dogs. (AnimalNet – Federal Register)

>  The FDA amended the animal drug regulations to reflect approval of an abbreviated new animal drug application (ANADA) filed by Veterinary Laboratories, Inc. The ANADA provides for the use of dexamethasone injectable solution for the treatment of primary bovine ketosis and as an antiinflammatory agent in cattle and horses. (AnimalNet – Federal Register)

> Vétoquinol USA announced the introduction of Zentonil SAMe nutritional supplement tablets for managing animals with liver disease.  SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) is present in the body but its production is reduced when the liver is compromised.  The supplement claims to significantly increase glutathione (an antioxidant) levels in compromised dogs and cats. (Veterinary Practice News)

>  Fort Dodge announced the launch of a consumer awareness campaign to educate horse owners about the seriousness of West Nile Virus and the need for regular vaccination.  The campaign will be advertised through both national and local media directed at horse enthusiasts and professionals.  (Veterinary Practice News)

>  Farnam announced it has merged two key management functions.  Dave Arnold will continue serving as president of Farnam’s Veterinary Products Laboratories (VPL), and now also will oversee presidential duties for Farnam Pet Products.  In a newly created position, Heather Hoff returns to Farnam as vice president marketing for both VPL and Farnam Pet Products. (company press release)

>  EU   Lallemand Animal Nutrition announced that the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health has granted Levucell SB a definitive feed additive approval for improved weight gain in piglets and performance in sows.  The specific yeast strain (Saccharomyces cerevisiae subspecies boulardii CNCM 1079, Pasteur Institute) of Levucell SB is well-known in human medication for its positive effects against intestinal disturbance.  (company press release)

CORRECTION:  Last week’s item regarding PIC’s  agreement to acquire all product lines and key assets of Cotswold Swine Genetics of North America should have read “for up to 1.7 million pounds ($2.8 million) in cash”, rather than $2.8 billion in cash.

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Brakke Consulting announces upcoming study:
Nutritional Growth Enhancers

Brakke Consulting, Inc. announces the imminent publication of a report on Nutritional Growth Enhancers (NGE). This detailed, 65-page report covers products used in animal feed in the enzymes, direct fed microbials, acidifiers and botanicals sectors. The report is an update of the 1997 Brakke Consulting Study that reviewed this growth category.  Since our last report, this product category has experienced double-digit growth.  

The report includes:
 – an overview of uses and sales by species and global region for each of the segments
 – profiles of the 20 leading companies involved in this category in animal health
  – an outline of the regulatory pathways for products to reach market with government approval
 – summary views of producers on nutritional growth enhancement products

The report is valued at $6,000 and will be available for shipping in mid-October. Those ordering the report before October 31st, 2003 will be able to purchase it at the discounted price of $5,000.  We believe it offers an outstanding value for those companies interested and participating in this growth category of the market place.

Please call our Dallas office at (972) 243-4033 to reserve a copy of the report and obtain an order form, or email info@brakkeconsulting.com.

For more details please contact John Short at (843) 886-0399 or JShort@brakkeconsulting.com.

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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS
 
>  US   The US House of Representatives approved a bill designed to speed the FDA’s review of new animal drugs.  These products are used to extend and enhance the life of pets and contribute to food safety by maintaining the health of food animals.  H.R. 1260, the Animal Drug User Fee Act, will place performance goals, or timelines, on the FDA review of new animal drug applications.  In exchange, the animal health industry will pay user fees to FDA to increase the budget used to hire reviewers and perform other tasks essential to the review process. The Senate passed the bill in May.  (AHI Press release)

>  US  The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) rejected the National Animal Supplement Council’s petition to approve glucosamine as a feed ingredient.  AAFCO and the FDA maintain that until a separate pathway exists for supplements, they are merely practicing enforcement.  The president of AAFCA stated that “as far as the law right now and the way these products are marketed, they are drugs and they are illegal [as feed ingredients].”  The supplement council reportedly intends to introduce legislation to create a separate approval pathway for supplements.  (Veterinary Practice News) 

>  US   The EPA is proposing to offer large livestock farms amnesty from lawsuits in exchange for participation in a study monitoring air pollution from feedlots and manure pools. The plan, which has come under criticism from conservation groups, would ask large farms to pay $3,000 and allow the EPA to monitor air pollution for about two years, officials say. After that time, farms would have to apply for emissions permits from local governments and would have to meet federal air quality standards. The amnesty would only cover lawsuits by the federal government. (Meating Place)

>  US   The American Angus Association has developed a new genetic-selection tool for commercial producers called Total Beef Value. The system accounts for dollar-per-head differences in progeny post-weaning performance and carcass merit.  The association stresses that producers should not use Total Beef Value as a single selection criterion, since it only combines post-weaning and carcass industry segments. (Drovers Alert)

>  US   A team of inventors led by a University of Maryland Baltimore County engineer has built a device that identifies lame cows for early treatment. The device they created looks like a giant scale. Beneath it are load cells that measure not weight, but the force from each leg on each side of the scale as the cow walks over it on the way from the milking parlor. Data on where and how hard the cow steps is fed to a computer that uses specialized software to determine if the animal is favoring a leg. An undisclosed Wisconsin company plans to start selling the product in the next few months, and eventually, the inventors expect to adapt the device for race horses, sheep and even maybe lab rats. (AnimalNet – Knight Ridder Tribune)

>  US   The first “Pet Yellow Pages” is now available in the Sacramento, California area.  The Pet Yellow Pages is a printed directory of more than 2,000 animal-related businesses and is available at participating veterinary clinics and pet stores.  40,000 copies of the free directory were published.  (Veterinary Practice News)

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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT

It appears that the FDA has been busy this week approving some generic products for several different companies. Congratulations to those firms who have received the approvals. It will be interesting to watch the introduction of these products. Will they increase the gross revenue in the market place? 

I’ve spent the better part of the week on the road visiting with both manufacturers and distributors.  Everyone seems to be pleased with their business the first three quarters of 2003 and we look for a strong 4th quarter.  It will be interesting to see the third quarter reports.

Have a great weekend.

Ron Brakke

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