Animal Health News & Notes for May 9, 2025

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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for May 9, 2025
Copyright © Brakke Consulting
Editor: Lynn Fondon DVM MBA
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IN THE NEWS:
Earnings News
Central Garden & Pet
Elanco
Freshpet
Phibro
Trupanion
Tyson Foods
Zoetis

Other News
AmacaThera
Amazon
Cronus Pharma
Dechra
Dutch
Elanco
FoodScience
Mars
Medgene
Merck (AmacaThera)
Merck (Mometamax Single)
Mobile Veterinary Specialists
Natural Dog Company
OnePack Plan
PBI-Gordon Companies
PetMed Express
Project Sticker
Purina
Rayne Nutrition
RevDoc
TriviumVet
Vetspire
Vetsource

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2025 Animal Health Summit
August 25-26, 2025
Location: Midland Theatre | Kansas City, MO 

Registration is now open for the 2025 Animal Health Summit

The Animal Health Summit features two days of networking, 1:1 business partnering, industry thought leaders, panel discussions, speakers and emerging company presentations. Learn more 

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EARNINGS NEWS RELEASES

• Zoetis reported financial results for the first quarter of 2025. Revenue was $2.2 Billion, an increase of 1% (+9% on an organic operational basis). Net Income was $631 Million, an increase of 5%. Revenue in the U.S. segment was $1.2 billion, an increase of 2% compared with the first quarter of 2024 (+6% on an organic operational basis). Zoetis raised its full year revenue outlook $200 million to $9.4 to $9.6 billion from prior guidance. (company press release)
• Elanco Animal Health Incorporated reported financial results for the first quarter of 2025. Revenue was $1,193 million, a decline of 1% year-over-year (+4% organic constant currency growth). Reported Net Income was $67 million, compared to net income of $32 million in the prior-year quarter. (company press release)
• Phibro Animal Health Corporation announced financial results for its third quarter ended March 31, 2025. Net sales were $348 million, a year-over-year increase of 32%. Net income was $20.9 million, an increase of $12.5 million. Animal Health net sales were $258 million, an increase of 42% due in part to the Zoetis MFA portfolio acquired on October 31, 2024. (company press release)
• Trupanion, Inc. announced financial results for the first quarter of 2025. Total revenue was $342.0 million, an increase of 12% compared to the first quarter of 2024. Net loss was $(1.5) million, compared to a net loss of $(6.9) million in the first quarter of 2024. (company press release)
• Freshpet, Inc. reported financial results for its first quarter of 2025. Net sales were $263 million, an increase of 18%. Net loss was $(12.7) million, compared to the prior year period net income of $18.6 million. (globenewswire)
• Central Garden & Pet Company announced financial results for its fiscal 2025 second quarter ended March 29, 2025. Net sales for the Pet segment were $454 million, a decrease of 6%. Pet segment operating income was $61 million, a decrease of 3%. (company press release)
• Tyson Foods reported results for its first fiscal six months. Sales were $26,697 million, up 1.2% from the year prior. Operating income was $680 million, up 25%. Results were largely driven by strong quarterly performance in chicken, international, pork and prepared foods, all of which helped offset the decline in beef. (Feedstuffs)

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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES

• AmacaThera announced it has signed a binding evaluation and option agreement with Merck Animal Health to develop long-acting formulations for use in animal health based on AmacaThera’s unique hydrogel platform technology. (prnewswire)
• Merck announced the FDA approval of Mometamax Single (gentamicin, posaconazole, and mometasone furoate otic suspension) – a new, convenient single-dose product for dogs to treat otitis externa. The product is expected to be available at veterinary clinics nationwide in summer 2025. (company press release)
• Elanco Animal Health Incorporated announced the sale of certain future tiered royalties and commercial milestones associated with XDEMVY (lotilaner ophthalmic solution) 0.25%, for the human health application of lotilaner, to funds affiliated with Blackstone Life Sciences and Blackstone Credit & Insurance for $295 million in cash. In 2019, Elanco exclusively licensed lotilaner to Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for exploration as a solution to several unmet human health needs. In 2023, XDEMVY became the first lotilaner-based product approved for human use and the only FDA-approved medicine for treatment of Demodex blepharitis (DB), a common eyelid disease in humans caused by Demodex mites. (company press release)
• Dechra announced that the FDA has approved Otiserene (marbofloxacin, terbinafine, and dexamethasone otic suspension) to treat otitis externa in dogs. The one-time treatment administered in the veterinary clinic is the first single-dose, long-acting otitis externa product containing the antibiotic marbofloxacin. (company press release)
• PBI-Gordon Companies, Inc. announced the strategic acquisition of TriviumVet. The move includes the addition of TriviumVet’s new product, Felycin-CA1, to the PRN Pharmacal portfolio of products. TriviumVet will continue to work as an independent, yet integrated team in Waterford, Ireland as a fourth subsidiary of PBI Gordon Companies. Financial terms were not disclosed. (Pet Age)
• Cronus Pharma‘s newly formed Production Animal Division announced the launch of Doraject (generic doramectin injectable) for beef, dairy and swine; and Florfeniject (generic florfenicol) for beef & dairy cattle. (company press release)
• Medgene announced that it now offers the only vaccine for cattle in the U.S. that can help protect calves from cryptosporidiosis caused by Cryptosporidium parvum. Medgene’s cryptosporidiosis vaccine can be given to cows and heifers prior to calving, providing protection to calves through their colostrum. (Feedstuffs)
• Mars announced the launch of GREENIES Canine Dental Check, a new, free, artificial intelligence (AI) tool to make monitoring the appearance of dog’s teeth and gums simple using a smartphone photo. The tool scans for signs of tartar buildup and gum irritation in seconds. Pet parents are provided with results and recommendations on next steps including at home oral care routines or, if needed, the opportunity to discuss their dog’s results with a licensed veterinary technician through PETconnect by GREENIES. (com)
• Purina announced the launch of Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements Skin Care for dogs, savory chews formulated with a multi-active blend that proactively supports skin health in dogs with sensitive skin, including those with seasonal allergies. (company announcement)
• Rayne Nutrition announced it has relaunched its Skin Relief Dry Dog Food. The formula is a whole food diet designed to support pups with atopic dermatitis, osteoarthritis and other dermatologic conditions. Rayne Skin Relief Dry Dog Food is exclusively available via the veterinary channel. (Petfood Processing)
• FoodScience announced the acquisition of Natural Dog Company. Financial terms were not disclosed. (com)
• Amazon has partnered with Vetsource to offer hundreds of prescription pet medications to their already wide assortment of pet supplies through its online platform, streamlining access to treatments for conditions such as flea prevention and chronic illnesses. Following veterinary approval, Vetsource manages the dispensing and delivery, ensuring efficient and reliable service for pet owners.
• PetMed Express announced it has entered a strategic partnership with virtual veterinary care provider Dutch. (forbes.com)
• Vetspire announced the launch of advanced AI Summary & AI Scribe, AI-powered features within Vetspire, designed to simplify workflows, reduce administrative overhead. (com)
• Mobile Veterinary Specialists (MOVES), with a nationwide footprint of over 40 board-certified mobile veterinary specialists, announced the launch of HomewardVet, its new national veterinary house call franchise opportunity. HomewardVet will provide concierge-level in-home veterinary care to discerning pet parents nationwide.  (yahoo.com)
• RevDoc, an on-demand healthcare tech platform for people, announced the launch of RevPets, a concierge veterinary care service. RevPets gives members access to house calls, video consults, in-office visits, and unlimited in-app messaging with licensed pet care providers. (com)
• Not-for-profit initiative Project Sticker announced the launch of StickWithUs.vet, a first-of-its-kind resource hub, created to make it easier for those in veterinary medicine to find the support they need. The platform brings together trusted tools and organizations like Not One More Vet, Veterinary Hope Foundation, and AVMA. (company press release)
• CANADA OnePack Plan announced its launch into the Canadian market providing companies, group benefits providers, and benefits consultants the option to include pet insurance as a benefit for pet-parent employees. OnePack Plan provides employers the option to offer payroll-deductible pet insurance for cats and dogs with a flat group rate. (com)

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ANIMAL HEALTH STOCK PRICE TRACKER

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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS

• MEXICO – SCREWWORM Ad part of emergency efforts to eradicate the New World Screwworm (NWS), Mexico has agreed to eliminate restrictions on USDA aircraft, and waive customs duties on equipment that is aiding in the campaign to prevent the spread of NWS. The agreement ensures ports remain open to livestock imports. (DVM360)
• NEAR EAST – The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is recommending urgent biosecurity measures and enhanced surveillance following the recent detection of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) serotype SAT1 in Iraq and Bahrain. This serotype is exotic to the Near East and West Eurasia regions, raising serious concerns about the potential spread of the virus. (Feedstuffs)
• US – RACTOPAMINE The Animal Legal Defense Fund, Center for Biological Diversity, Center for Food Safety and Food Animal Concerns Trust submitted a petition to the FDA to reconsider reducing or eliminating ractopamine from swine and cattle diets. More than 50 groups, led by Friends of the Earth, sent a letter this week to FDA Commissioner Martin Makary, as well as U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Center for Veterinary Medicine Acting Director Timothy Schell, in support, urging the agency to ban or restrict the use of the feed additive. The use of ractopamine is approved in 26 countries, including the U.S., Canada and Mexico. However, over 160 countries, including the European Union, Russia and China, have banned the feed additive because they consider it a potential risk for consumer health. (Feedstuffs)
• US – FERAL CAT CARE The Feline Veterinary Medical Association has issued a position statement that advises against socializing feral kittens older than four months due to potential distress. Cats that are not socialized as young kittens tend to be afraid of people and do not do well in shelter settings, according to the group, which recommends taking a trap-neuter-return or trap-neuter-vaccinate-return approach to older feral kittens and cats. (AVMA SmartBrief – Steve Dale Pet World)
• US – ANIMAL RESEARCH Texas A&M AgriLife Research and The Texas A&M University System opened a new state-of-the-art Animal Reproductive Biotechnology Center this week at the Texas A&M-RELLIS campus in Bryan.  The facility will address research in pregnancy and development in small and large animals, with a focus on U.S. cattle reproduction and development. (Feedstuffs)

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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
Last weekend I was invited to speak at the Little Fish Conference in Los Cabos, Mexico.  The focus of the conference was business and economics, with a high-protein roster of speakers from both within and outside of the veterinary industry.  Featured were several prominent economists and bankers who provided perspective on the global and US economy, as well as trends within the veterinary industry and the broader consumer market.  My takeaway from the speakers was that the current chaos and uncertainty in the market made economic predictions difficult, but the attendees seemed positive about their outlook for the year.

Now in its 8th year, the Little Fish Conference was conceived by industry veteran Darin Nelson as a meeting and educational venue for executives of smaller corporate veterinary practice companies, hence “little fish.”  Zoetis has been the principal sponsor from the beginning.  Now, the conference attracts leaders of practice-owning companies both large and small, and many were well represented at last weekend’s meeting.   Kudos to Darin Nelson and Zoetis for hosting an outstanding event.

John Volk

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YOUR VIEW
Last week we asked for your thoughts on the FDA’s approval of Genus’ gene-edited PRRS-resistant pigs for the U.S. food supply. The results were nearly split: 50.5% saw the advancement as a positive step toward more efficient protein production, while 49.5% viewed it as a negative, citing ethical concerns and potential unintended consequences. This close vote underscores the divided perspectives on gene-editing in agriculture and highlights the importance of continued dialogue around innovation and food safety. The future of food is here—are we ready to take the next bite?

This week
At last weekend’s Little Fish Conference, economists and bankers expressed a wide variety of opinions about the prospect of a recession, as well as the number of times the Fed would cut interest rates this year.  As believers in the wisdom of crowds, we’d like to get your viewpoint.  How many times, if any, do you think the Fed will cut interest rates this year?