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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for July 29, 2011
Copyright © Brakke Consulting, Inc.
Editor: Lynn Fondon, DVM MBA
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IN THE NEWS:
Brakke news
new consultant joins Brakke
earnings news
Abaxis
Bayer
Heska
Hill’s
Merck
Merial
MWI
Neogen
Provimi
Ridley
VCA Antech
other news
Allflex
Amlan International
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica
Bremer Pharma
Dechra Veterinary Products
Destron Fearing
Digital Angel
Elanco
Entest Biomedical
Merck
Standard Process
Veterinary Products Laboratories
Zydus
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BRAKKE CONSULTING, INC.
SUSAN WARREN JOINS BRAKKE TEAM
Brakke Consulting is pleased to announce the addition of Susan Warren to its team of professional consultants. Ms. Warren has prior management and sales experience with IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Quest Diagnostics and Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, a Johnson and Johnson company. For the past two years Ms. Warren has been operating her own management consulting firm specializing in sales and leadership training, market strategy development, meeting facilitation including customer focus groups for companies and organizations focused on animal health.
Ms. Warren will take over leadership of the firm’s office in Kansas City effective August 1, 2011. She can be reached at 913-631-2666 or swarren@brakkeconsulting.com.
www.BrakkeConsulting.com
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COMPANY EARNINGS RELEASES
> Merck, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, announced financial results for the second quarter of 2011. Merck Animal Health sales totaled $802 million for the second quarter of 2011, a 10% increase over the same period last year, including an 8% contribution from foreign exchange. (company press release)
> Sanofi reported results for the second quarter of 2011. Second-quarter net sales of animal health division Merial were EUR 496 million ($714 million), an increase of 1%. (company website)
> Bayer reported interim results for the second quarter of the 2011. Animal health revenues expanded by 4% to EUR 326 million ($469 million). Sales were driven mainly by the positive development of the Advantage line of flea, tick and worm control products in Europe and North America. (Animal Pharm)
> Neogen Corporation announced that net income for its 2011 fiscal year ended May 31 increased 30% from the previous year to $23 million; revenues for its fiscal 2011 increased 23% to $173 million. Revenues from the company’s Animal Safety segment grew 36% to $87 million. (company press release)
> Heska reported results for the second quarter of 2011. Revenues grew 16% to $17 million; net income was $457,000 for the quarter, compared to a net loss of ($165,000) for the second quarter of 2010. (company press release)
> Abaxis, Inc. reported financial results for the first fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2011. Veterinary market sales were $27.7 million, up 3% over last year’s comparable quarter. (company press release)
> Colgate-Palmolive reported results for the second quarter of 2011. Net sales for Hill’s Pet Nutrition were $537 million, a 9% increase over the second quarter of the prior year. Unit volume increased 2%, pricing increased 1% and foreign exchange was positive 6%. (company website)
> Ridley Inc. released preliminary unaudited financial information for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011. Ridley’s preliminary unaudited results indicate net income after taxes of $8.7 million compared to net income of $4.7 million last year. Preliminary revenues were $588 million, an increase of 7%. (company website)
> The Provimi Group reported results for the first six months of 2011. Revenues were EUR 871 million ($1,253 million), an increase of 12% compared to the comparable period in 2010. (company press release)
> MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. announced financial results for its third quarter ended June 30, 2011. Total revenues were $411 million for the quarter, 18% higher than revenues for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Net income was $11.4 million for the quarter, 25% higher than net income for the same period in the prior fiscal year. (company website)
> VCA Antech, Inc. reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011 as follows: revenue increased 6% to a second quarter record of $376 million; and adjusted net income increased 4% to $39.6 million. Animal Hospital revenue in the second quarter increased 9% to $291 million, driven by acquisitions made in the past twelve months; same-store revenues declined 2%. Laboratory revenue in the second quarter increased 2% due to organic growth to $84 million. (company press release)
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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES
> The FDA announced the approval of Incurin (estriol). Incurin, manufactured by Merck Animal Health, is indicated for the control of estrogen-responsive urinary incontinence in spayed female dogs. (FDA)
> South Dakota State University announced a partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. to develop a new technology to protect pigs against enterotoxigenic (ETEC) E. coli. SDSU has already filed a patent application covering the technology. (CattleNetwork.com)
> Veterinary Products Laboratories (VPL) introduced Duralactin Equine Pellets, combining the benefits of MicroLactin, a patented dried milk protein, with the added benefits of zinc and manganese to help maintain healthy cartilage and joint function. (company press release)
> Standard Process Veterinary Formulas announced the launch of Canine Flex Support, a new product designed to provide targeted nutrition to support normal repair and rebuilding of cartilage. Canine Flex Support contains ingredients like ginger, turmeric, glucosamine, and chondroitin. (PRWeb)
> Zydus Animal Health, a subsidiary of the Indian firm Cadila Healthcare, announced the acquisition of Bremer Pharma GmbH from the private equity firm ICICI Venture. Bremer Pharma’s product range includes products for livestock including oral and injectable antibiotics, vitamins and those for mastitis and parasite control, among others. The company has more than 500 registrations and a network of distributors in over 50 countries. The buyout is expected to give Zydus strategic access to key markets across Europe, South America, Asia and Africa. Financial terms were not disclosed. (Animal Pharm)
> Digital Angel announced that on July 22, 2011, the Company closed on the sale of its animal identification business, Destron Fearing Corporation, to Allflex USA, Inc. for approximately $25 million. (Business Wire)
> Entest BioMedical Inc. announced the signing of a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire substantially all of the assets of Oregon-based Titterington Veterinary Services, Inc. (Market Wire)
> UK Dechra Veterinary Products announced the addition of four new products to its Professional Care range in the UK. PawProtect is a wax-based product that can be applied to pets’ paws to protect them from harsh environmental conditions, such as rough ground or ice. CleanGenital is a syringe-administered fluid for cleaning the pet’s genital and anal areas. AntiSept is a spray formulated to keep wounds and lesions clean. CatMalt is a palatable liquid that helps cats to eliminate hairballs. (Animal Pharm)
> BRAZIL Elanco announced an exclusive distribution agreement with Amlan International to sell Amlan’s products in the Brazilian livestock market. Amlan manufactures additives for use in pig, poultry and dairy feeds that absorb mycotoxins, decreasing their bioavailability and improving the health and performance of the animal. (Animal Pharm)
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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS
> AUSTRALIA – HENDRA VIRUS Australian authorities have reported the first case of Hendra virus infection in a dog. The Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) confirmed that the animal, which showed no signs of illness, had been exposed to the virus, most likely through contact with an infected horse. (Animal Pharm)
> US – CEM A stallion in Arizona has tested positive for contagious equine metritis. The state Department of Agriculture has quarantined five horses on the property in an effort to stop the disease from spreading, and officials are working with federal authorities to trace mares that were inseminated with the stallion’s semen this season. (AVMA SmartBrief)
> US – COW HERD NUMBERS USDA’s semiannual cattle inventory report shows a slightly larger than expected numbers for most categories. As of July 1, all cattle and calves in the U.S. total 100 million head, down 1% from a year ago and towards the high end of estimates but still a very low number, indicating at least some continued herd contraction. (BrownfieldAgNews)
> US – SALMONELLA The US Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) announced it will evaluate the potential risks of Salmonella-contaminated feeds on animal and human health by testing fecal samples from dogs and cats. The CVM is seeking institutional applications that will provide information on the prevalence of Salmonella in samples from both symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs and cats brought to US veterinary clinics. (Animal Pharm)
> US – VETERINARY MEETING A joint meeting of the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists (AAVP), the Livestock Insect Workers’ Conference, (LIWC) and the International Symposium on External Parasites of Pets ( ISEP) was held July 16-19 in St, Louis, Mo., the first time the three groups have met together. This international meeting included over 250 veterinary parasitologists and entomologists representing industry, academia, and government agencies. The theme of the meeting was “Sustainable Parasite and Vector Control.” (association press release)
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2011 ANIMAL HEALTH INVESTMENT FORUM
AUGUST 30, 2011
KANSAS CITY
The 2011 Animal Health Investment Forum will feature presentations from 14 early stage animal health companies from around the world. A list of presenting companies is now available to approved attendees by contacting Chris Walsh at cwalsh@stlrcga.org.
This forum is being presented by The KC Animal Health Corridor and will take place on August 30, 2010, in Kansas City, Missouri. It offers the only opportunity in the world for companies exclusively in the animal health sector to present their vision and business plan to potential investors and industry stakeholders. This annual forum also provides an unprecedented opportunity for venture capital, investment firms and animal health companies to hear from emerging companies with the newest technology.
Registration for the event is $500 for presenting companies and $350 for other attendees. To register, go to http://www.kcanimalhealthforum.com/attend.php .
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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
Weather remains a critical issue this week in many parts of the US. High temperatures and limited amounts of rain are forcing herd liquidations and reduced productivity in protein production. We’re likely to see continued higher retail prices for animal protein for the balance of the year. Higher energy prices coupled with the current uncertainty in the political process could impact consumer spending in the final months of 2011. If things continue as they are, the animal health industry will face some challenges to finish out the year.
Earlier this week an article in the Wall Street Journal indicated that Pfizer is leaning toward a spinoff of its animal health business, viewing a sale as less compelling because of a potentially heavy tax bill and antitrust scrutiny. The article mentioned that Pfizer has begun telling interested bidders that a spin-off is the likely way ahead for the animal health unit, which could be valued at as much as $12-15 billion. This is an historic point for animal health, in that some companies are so large that they can be independent entities and trade at such high multiples (3 to 4 times sales!) that a sale would incur huge tax consequences. If this strategy is successful it’s possible that we’ll see additional independent companies in animal health in the coming years.
We are pleased with the addition of Susan Warren to our consulting group. We believe that Susan’s 25+ years of experience in the diagnostics area will be beneficial for our clients that are either participating in or entertaining entering the rapidly growing animal health marketplace. Susan brings a wealth of experience in the Sales Management, Strategic Planning, Program Development, and Training areas.
Have a great weekend and stay cool!!
Ron Brakke
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Brakke Consulting, Inc.
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