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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for April 2, 2010
Copyright © Brakke Consulting, Inc.
Editor: Lynn Fondon, DVM, MBA
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IN THE NEWS:
Brakke news
AnimalHealthJobs.com
2010 Pain Management Products for Dogs and Cats
– order today for early-order discount!
earnings news
Digital Angel
Neogen
Skystar Bio-Pharmaceutical
other news
Bayer
GeneSeek
Genitrix
Intervet/Schering-Plough
Neogen
Novartis
Phosphagenics
PRN Pharmacal
Virbac
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Animal Agriculture Alliance
9th Annual Stakeholders Summit
April 28-29, 2010
The Animal Agriculture Alliance’s Ninth Annual Stakeholders Summit will be held on April 28 – 29 in Arlington, Virginia. This year’s topic is “Truth, Lies and Videotape: Is Activism Jeopardizing our Food Security?” Learn about tactics that activists are using against America’s food producers, including legislation, lawsuits and manipulation of the media.
For more information or to register for the event, go to www.animalagalliance.org.
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COMPANY EARNINGS RELEASES
> Neogen Corporation announced results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2010, which ended Feb. 28. Third quarter revenues increased 21% to $33.8 million, a record third quarter for the 27-year-old company. Net income increased 38% from the previous year to $3.9 million. Animal Safety division revenues increased 3% in the quarter to $14.1 million. (company press release)
> Digital Angel announced financial results for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. Company revenues were $49.5 million, a decline of 21% compared to the prior year. Net loss was ($12.4 million), compared to a net loss of ($58.1 million) in the prior year. Animal Identification segment revenues were $30.8 million, a decline of 20% compared to the prior year. (company website)
> Skystar Bio-Pharmaceutical Company of China announced financial results for fiscal year 2009 ended December 31, 2009. Revenues totaled $33.8 million, up 32% over 2008. Skystar launched over 40 products in 2009. (CNNMoney)
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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES
> Researchers from Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, the Institute for Animal Health (UK), University of Oxford (UK), Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (South Africa), and Agricultural Research Service, USDA – Foreign Animal Disease Research Unit at Plum Island (US) have joined together to use the latest molecular biology techniques to improve conventional vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease. FMD viruses are prone to mutation which means that new vaccine strains have to be continually developed. The effort is being funded by a $2 million grant from the Wellcome Trust. (company press release)
> Bayer HealthCare, LLC, Animal Health Division, announced the launch of a national print advertising campaign to promote the importance of preventive care for pets including two wellness visits to veterinary clinics per year. The multi-million dollar national advertising campaign builds on Bayer’s recent “March Back In” $20 pet owner rebate program designed to encourage return visits to veterinary clinics. (company press release)
> Phosphagenics Limited announced the signing of a global agreement with Novartis Animal Health to develop their patented transdermal (TPM) insulin delivery system for the treatment of diabetes in companion animals. Novartis will pay the costs of developing the insulin product, and should it elect to pursue the formulations resulting from the collaboration, Phosphagenics will receive an initial payment, milestone payments and royalties. (Business Wire)
> Virbac Animal Health announced the launch of Allerderm Spot-On Skin Lipid Complex, a new, easy-to-use topical therapy that’s proven to help repair and restore the epidermal barrier in canine and feline patients suffering from skin disease. Allerderm Spot-On Skin Lipid Complex contains a Skin Lipid Complex that mimics the composition and structure of lipids in the outermost layer of the epidermal barrier. (company press release)
> Neogen Corporation announced that it has purchased all the outstanding shares of GeneSeek, Inc., a commercial agricultural genetics laboratory with 2009 revenues of approximately $12.5 million. Neogen paid approximately $13.8 million to purchase all of GeneSeek’s outstanding stock. GeneSeek’s technology employs high-resolution DNA genotyping for identity and trait analysis in a variety of important animal and agricultural plant species. (company press release)
> PRN Pharmacal announced the addition of ProZyme V Feline Formula the company’s line of enzyme supplements. ProZyme V Feline Formula contains four plant-based enzymes to support proper and efficient breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, fiber and fat. Additionally, crucial vitamins and minerals are added to support optimal digestion. (company press release)
> UK Genitrix announced the launch of Libromide, the UK’s first fully-licensed formulation of potassium bromide for the treatment of canine epilepsy. Libromide is licensed for use as an adjunct to phenobarbital in refractory cases of the disease. Libromide is supplied in 325 mg tablets in packs of 100 or 500. (Animal Pharm)
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BRAKKE CONSULTING, INC.
ORDER BY TODAY FOR EARLY ORDER DISCOUNT!
2010 PAIN MANAGEMENT PRODUCTS REPORT
Pain management is one of the leading topics in veterinary medicine today. The products represent a substantial market segment with potential still to be tapped.
Brakke Consulting’s annual report on Pain Management Products for Dogs and Cats includes such valuable information as:
– overview of acute and chronic pain in small animals
– review of current products
– estimates of US sales and prices of leading products
– pain management products in development
– review of nutritional supplements used for chronic pain
– review of therapeutic diets for joint care
– 2010 survey of an estimated 200 small animal veterinarians regarding use of pain management products
Pain Management Products for Dogs and Cats 2010 can be purchased for $4,995 if ordered by April 2, 2010. The report will be completed in April. Questions about the study can be answered by project manager Lynn Fondon, DVM, MBA at 972-243-4033, or email Lfondon@brakkeconsulting.com
www.BrakkeConsulting.com
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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS
> US – HOG HERD DECLINES USDA’s quarterly Hogs and Pigs survey reported all hogs on March 1 down 3% from a year ago, compared to analysts expectations of a 1% decline. It put hogs kept for breeding down 4% compared to an expected 2.6% decline, and hogs kept for marketing down 3% compared to an expected less than 1% decline. Analysts on a post-report call sponsored by the Pork Board agreed the report will very likely end sow culling. (Meating Place)
> US – ZOONOTIC DISEASE FUNDING The US Department of Homeland Security announced it will give $21 million to Texas A&M University and Kansas State University to support A&M’s National Center for Foreign Animal and Zoonotic Disease Defense and KSU’s Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases through 2016. (Meating Place)
> US – SLAUGHTER RULES The US Court of Appeals vacated an injunction of a California law that banned the slaughter of non-ambulatory livestock of all species and remanded the matter to the lower court for further proceedings. In February, a judge ruled that the Federal Meat Inspection Act preempts state law, because the state law differs from and adds to the federal law and usurps the authority of federal veterinarians and inspectors. That ruling sided with the plaintiffs, NMA and the American Meat Institute. (Meating Place)
> US – EQUINE DENTISTRY A measure that allows individuals who are not licensed veterinarians to float horses’ teeth if they meet state certification requirements passed the Oklahoma Senate on March 31. HB 3202 also amends the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act to allow horse owners and their employees to buy and administer veterinary prescription sedatives sometimes used in teeth floating procedures. The measure now returns to the House for final amendment approval before moving on for the Governor’s signature. (TheHorse.com)
> US – PAIN MANAGEMENT RESEARCH Dogs with osteoarthritis may benefit from regular doses of omega-3 fish oils, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. In the study, 46% of dogs fed a food supplemented with fatty acids required less carprofen to treat pain. (AVMA SmartBrief)
> CANADA – INFLUENZA RESEARCH Researchers at the University of Alberta in Edmonton reported finding that RIG-1, a key influenza-fighting gene in wild ducks, is absent in chickens. Embryonic chicken cells with the RIG-1 gene inserted did not die when exposed to H5N2 or H5N1 influenza virus. The study was published online in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (AVMA SmartBrief)
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ANIMALHEALTHJOBS.COM
EMPLOYMENT ACTIVITY ON THE RISE
AnimalHealthJobs.com, the premier job site for the animal health industry, set a new site visit record for the month of March with over 18,000 visits. Job Postings have also increased, more companies than ever are relying on AnimalHealthJobs.com to seek qualified candidates. Visit www.animalhealthjobs.com now to see what’s happening on the employment front in animal health.
www.AnimalHealthJobs.com
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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
Early indications are that the first quarter sales revenues in 2010 will be positive for most companies. There appears to be the normal positives and negatives in a changing marketplace. Most of the companion animal market segments seem to be exhibiting growth even without significant new product introductions. Food animal markets appear to have stabilized after a challenging 2009 with some trends indicating that full year 2010 will at least equal prior year. Pricing will continue to be an important factor in determining whether not revenue and profits will exceed prior year. We look forward to the first quarter reports from the leading companies to see if our perceptions are correct.
We want to wish each of you a safe and enjoyable Easter Weekend!!
Ron Brakke
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Brakke Consulting, Inc.
2735 Villa Creek, Suite 140
Dallas, TX 75234 USA
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