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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for December 6, 2013
Copyright © Brakke Consulting, Inc.
Editor: Lynn Fondon DVM MBA
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IN THE NEWS:
Brakke Consulting news
market research
earnings news
Krka Group
other news
Fee Technology
B G Chitale
Bayer
Bioniche
Boehringer Ingelheim
Eli Lilly
Genus
Merck
Merial
Neogen
Novartis
Patterson
Putney
VetriMax
Viyo International
Zoetis
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COMPANY EARNINGS RELEASES
> Slovenian generics manufacturer Krka Group reported financial results for the first nine months of 2013. Animal Health revenues were EUR 32 million ($43 million) during the first nine months, a 1% decline compared to the comparable period in the prior year. (Animal Pharm)
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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES
> Fee Technology Inc. announced an agreement with Zoetis to bring the company’s Profit Solver software to veterinary practices across the country. Profit Solver provides an effective way to set pricing and labor rates to achieve an identified income level. (DigitalJournal.com)
> According to multiple news outlets, Novartis appears to be exploring the possibility of the sale of its animal health subsidiary and has allegedly opened its books to rivals interested in a business that could change hands for more than 3 billion euros ($4.1 billion). Companies mentioned in the news articles include Bayer, Eli Lilly, Merck and Boehringer Ingelheim and are reportedly conducting due diligence assessments of the business. (Reuters, Business Week)
> The FDA announced that it will continue to allow Merial to import limited quantities of Immiticide (melarsomine dihydrochloride) from the company’s European supplier in order to address an ongoing shortage of the FDA-approved drug in the US. Veterinarians will only be able to obtain Immiticide directly from Merial through a restricted distribution program. There has been a continued shortage of US-produced Immiticide since 2011, due to technical difficulties faced by the US supplier of the drug. The approved supplier for US markets will close its facility by the end of this year. (FDA)
> Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. announced that NexHA, its purified hyaluronate sodium product for horses, has been approved by the FDA for sale in the US. NexHA is indicated in the treatment of joint dysfunction of the carpus or fetlock in horses due to non-infectious synovitis associated with equine osteoarthritis, and can be administered to horses by intravenous or intra-articular injection. (MarketWatch)
> Putney, Inc. announced the launch of Mupirocin Ointment 2%, its third FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) approved generic in ten months. (company press release)
> Neogen Corporation announced the launch of NeoFilm microbial tests. The tests require only the inoculation of a fabric sample pad and an incubation period to evaluate samples for bacterial colony growth. NeoFilm tests are available for coliforms, E. coli, yeast and mold, Staphylococcus aureus, and aerobic bacteria. (company press release)
> VetriMax Veterinary Products, LLC announced the release of AtopiCream therapeutic skin repair for animals. AtopiCream is a ceramide-rich, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory cream with VetriSpheres encapsulation technology specifically designed for atopic dermatitis in animals. (company press release)
> Patterson Veterinary announced an agreement with Viyo International to distribute Viyo Recuperation products in the US. Developed specifically for veterinarians, Viyo Recuperation is a liquid nutritional health product used to help animals recover more quickly after surgery or serious illness. (company press release)
> INDIA Genus announced it has formed a production joint venture with B G Chitale, the largest dairy processor in the western India state of Maharashtra, to build a presence in the large Indian dairy market. (Animal Pharm)
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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS
> FRANCE – VETERINARY STRIKE French veterinary surgeons went on strike earlier this week, and 10,000 marched on the streets of Paris in protest at Government plans to restrict their ability to supply certain farm animal antibiotics. According to the National Union of Practicing Veterinarians (SNVEL), French veterinary surgeons saw the Government plans as an attack on their integrity and competence, and called for the strike, the first of its kind in history. As a result of the strike, French Ministers have apparently pledged to retract their plans. (VetSurgeon.org)
> US – BOVINE TB Authorities reported that a cow from northeast Nebraska has been diagnosed with a case of bovine tuberculosis. The cow was part of a small herd; the rest of the herd has been quarantined and has tested negative for the disease. (AVMA SmartBrief – Miami Herald)
> US – CANINE BRUCELLOSIS The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has investigated three cases of canine brucellosis in the past four months. The cases involved several dogs that were euthanized after testing positive for canine brucellosis, a bacterial disease that can be transmitted from dogs to humans through exposure to birthing fluids, saliva, feces, urine, and eye or nasal fluids. (Vet Advantage)
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BRAKKE CONSULTING, INC.
MARKET RESEARCH
Look Before You Leap
Depend on Brakke Consulting to build a market study to meet your company’s needs, whether it is:
• Assessing the feasibility of a new product or technology
• Identifying the opinions and trends of veterinarians, pet owners or producers
• Determining the current market for products
With the ability to custom-tailor surveys of a wide variety of target audiences, we provide reliable insights into this unique industry. We also produce multi-client reports in a number of high-interest animal health market areas. For more information, see our website, or call our Dallas office at 972-243-4033.
www.BrakkeConsulting.com
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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
Here in Dallas and in other parts of the US Mother Nature is reminding us that summer and fall are over and it’s time to bring out the winter clothing. Other than adjusting to the cold, the difficult weather will allow many of us the opportunity to spend some time reflecting on 2013 and all the positives that occurred in the industry. It is easy to be negative, but we’d prefer to reflect on the positive growth of the industry this past year. As one reviews each of the leading product categories one can always find concerns but in general we believe the future is bright for the industry in 2014. And there are still a few weeks left to make the 2013 budget forecast.
You will note earlier in the newsletter that announcement of our annual Industry Overview at the North American Veterinary Conference and Western Veterinary Conference in 2014. The new overview will cover most of the leading stories in 2013 and our view of the current and future impact on the industry. In the overview we’ll be providing our thoughts on a number of industry trends that impact manufacturers, distributors, veterinarians, retailers and animal owners.
Have a great weekend and stay warm!! Remember this past July and August when we suggested you stay cool?
Ron Brakke
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