Animal Health News & Notes for November 26, 2008

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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for November 26, 2008
Copyright © Brakke Consulting, Inc.
 
Editor: Lynn Fondon, DVM, MBA
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IN THE NEWS :
 
earnings news
Central Garden & Pet
Evialis
 
other news
AB Science
Albion
Alpharma
Ascor Chimici
Biopharm
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica
BOMAC Vets Plus
Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma
IDEXX
King Pharmaceuticals
Modern Veterinary Therapeutics
Nestle Purina
Vetoquinol 
 
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2008 US FLEA CONTROL & HEARTWORM MARKETS
LAST DAY FOR EARLY-BIRD DISCOUNT IS NOV. 26!
 
Contact Dr. Lynn Fondon at lfondon@brakkeconsulting.com or 972-243-4033 to order or for more information.
 
www.BrakkeConsulting.com
 
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COMPANY EARNINGS RELEASES
 
> Evialis has reported revenue of EUR 304 million ($439 million) for the first quarter of the 2008-2009 financial year ended September 30, an increase of nearly 64%. The increase reflected the high price of raw materials as well as the contribution of acquired businesses. On a like-for-like basis, revenue increased 26% over the previous year. (Animal Pharm)
 
> Central Garden & Pet reported results for the fourth quarter ended September 27, 2008. Net sales for the Pet Products segment were $226 million, an increase of 2% compared to the year-ago period.  (company website)  
 
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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES
 
> King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Alpharma Inc. announced that the two companies have signed a definitive merger agreement under which King will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock of Alpharma for $37.00 per share in cash for a total equity value of approximately $1.6 billion. The Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction. King noted that Alpharma’s Animal Health division will increase the diversification of King’s business and is expected to provide steady cash flow to fuel future strategic initiatives. (PRNewswire)  
 
> IDEXX Laboratories announced it has sold its Surpass (1% diclofenac sodium) Topical Anti-Inflammatory Cream franchise to Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. Financial terms were not disclosed. (company website)
 
> Vetoquinol announced it has agreed to acquire Ascor Chimici S.r.l., an Italian company that manufactures and markets medicated premixes and antibiotics for cattle, swine and poultry, as well as distributing companion animal products.  Ascor Chimici reported sales of EUR 21 million ($30 million) in 2007.  Financial terms were not disclosed. (company website)
 
> Modern Veterinary Therapeutics announced the FDA approval of Vetazine Cream, a topical treatment for allergic dermatitis and summer eczema in dogs. (company press release)  
 
> Nestle Purina announced plans to build a new multimillion-dollar, 84,000-square-foot event center for dog shows and obedience and agility trials. The Purina Event Center is expected to open in the fall of 2010 at Purina Farms in Gray Summit, Mo., about one hour from downtown St. Louis. (St. Louis Business Journal)
 
> BOMAC Vets Plus Inc. announced that it has entered into a strategic alliance with Albion Animal Nutrition. BOMAC Vets Plus will produce the Albion’s Replamin gel and Pull Thru branded products and handle the sales and marketing components for these brands. Albion will continue to provide technical support of the product lines and be a resource of information on trace mineral importance. (Feedstuffs)  
 
> AB Science S.A. announced that the European Commission granted a marketing authorization for AB Science’s lead veterinary product masitinib (Masivet), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that significantly extends survival in dogs with non-resectable mast cell tumors. Separately, the company also recently formed a US division, AB Science USA, with Albert Ahn, DVM, as president of the US division. Masitinib is under review for approval in the same indication by the FDA under the trade name Kinavet. (PRWeb) 
 
> JAPAN   Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma announced the Japanese launch of Cartrophen Vet Injection (pentosan polysulphate sodium) to relieve pain and lameness associated with osteorarthritis in dogs. The product is manufactured by Biopharm Australia Pty. Ltd.  (company news)  
 
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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS
 
> UK – BLUETONGUE   The UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)  announced the detection of bluetongue serotype 1 (BTV1) in five imported cattle on a premises in Lancashire, UK.  The animals originated from within the BTV1 & 8 Restricted Zone in southwest France. This is the first case of BTV1 infection in the UK; there is no evidence that BTV1 is circulating in the UK and no additional control zones have been declared. (Feedstuffs)
 
> US – CEPHALOSPORIN RULE REVOKED   The FDA has revoked the order prohibiting the extra-label use of cephalosporin antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals. The agency said it is taking this action so that it may fully consider the many substantive comments it received on the order of prohibition. The order, which was to take effect on Nov. 30, would have changed 21 CFR 530.41 to list cephalosporins as prohibited from extra-label use in food-producing animals. (Feedstuffs)
 
> CANADA – GM HOGS   A researcher at University of Guelph in Ontario has created a new breed of pig – dubbed enviropig – whose upgraded digestive system produces cleaner manure. The enviropig keeps more phosphorus inside of its belly, reducing the concentration in manure by about 60%, according to the developer. The FDA is to rule soon on whether the genetically engineered pig may be reared and sold in the US. (The Pig Site)
 
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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
 
All of us at Brakke Consulting want to wish each of our subscribers and clients a Happy Thanksgiving!
 
Ron Brakke
Joel Adamson
Ken Berkholtz
Ray Collier
Lynn Fondon
Atsuo Hata
Jay Lockhart
John Mannhaupt
Susan Mannhaupt
Christine Merle
Richard Miles
Jane Morgan
Kevin Scott
John Volk
 
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Dallas, TX  75234    USA