Animal Health News & Notes for May 28, 2010

printer friendly version

************************************
Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for May 28, 2010
Copyright © Brakke Consulting, Inc.
 
Editor: Lynn Fondon, DVM, MBA
************************************
IN THE NEWS:
 
Brakke news
recruiting
 
other news
3M
Aova
Bosley’s Pet Food Plus
Entrega Laboratories
Fujita
IQF-Enamex
IQF Group
Microtek
MyPetCareTV.com
Novus
Pet Valu Canada
Pfizer
R&D LifeSciences
 
************************************
COMPANY NEWS RELEASES
 
> Pfizer Animal Health announced it has acquired Microtek International, Inc., an innovator in aquaculture vaccines, R&D and healthcare diagnostic services. Financial terms were not disclosed. (PRNewswire)
 
> R&D LifeSciences, LLC, announced a technology and marketing agreement with Aova Technologies to market Aova’s patented, naturally produced micro feed ingredient aPLA2 Technology. R&DL will use the technology to introduce new ReNuvigen (PLA2) for the reduction of gut inflammation. (company press release)
 
> Novus International announced it has acquired two feed additive manufacturers: IQF Group in Tarragona, Spain, and IQF-Enamex in Cordoba, Mexico. The acquired companies produce feed carotinoid pigments, vitamin and mineral premixes, essential oils, anti-caking agents and mould inhibitors, as well as a range of human nutrition products. IQF has customers in more than 60 countries. Financial terms were not disclosed. (Animal Pharm)
 
> Entrega Laboratories announced a licensing agreement with 3M for rights to three patents relative to TransMucosal Drug Delivery (TMDD) technology. The license agreement provides complete unrestricted access to all the TMDD technology developed within 3M’s Animal Care and Drug Delivery Systems Divisions. Entrega Labs intends to develop the TMDD technology for companion animal health. (company press release)
 
> Saddle Ranch Productions announced the launch of MyPetCARETV.com, a veterinarian supported online resource for pet owners. The site features instructional pet care videos, daily pet news, a social networking community, as well as a vet expert video response for the viewer generated questions of the week. (Business Wire)
 
> JAPAN   Fujita Pharmaceuticals announced the Japanese launch of Milbemycin Tablet Fujita, a generic milbemycin oxime for prevention of heartworm and deworming of gastrointestinal nematodes in dogs. (Animal Pharm)
 
> CANADA   Pet Valu Canada announced it has acquired Bosley’s Pet Food Plus Inc. Bosley’s has 23 stores in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, providing the company with a platform for growth in western Canada.  Financial terms were not disclosed. (Pet Product News)
 
***********************************
ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS
 
> US – BOVINE TB   Two beef cattle from a herd in Kentucky have tested positive for bovine tuberculosis, and results are pending on a third animal.  The disease was discovered when a cow from the farm was slaughtered in Pennsylvania. Kentucky has been classified as free of bovine tuberculosis since 1987. (Bloomberg)
 
> AUSTRALIA – HENDRA RESEARCH  The Australian and Queensland Governments have agreed to fund work on a hendra virus vaccine. They’ll each contribute $300,000 to a trial of a vaccine being developed by the CSIRO for horses. (ABC.net.au)
 
>  US – SAFETY REPORTING   The FDA and the National Institutes of Health launched the Safety Reporting Portal (SRP), a new Web site that will provide a mechanism for the reporting of pre- and post-market safety data to the federal government. Currently the Web site can be used to report safety problems related to foods, including animal feed, and animal drugs; consumers can also use the site to report problems with pet foods and pet treats. In the future, the system will encompass other types of clinical trials and, eventually, safety problems arising from products regulated by a broad array of federal agencies. The new website can be found at https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov/  (FDA.gov)
 
> US – EPA ENFORCEMENT  The EPA announced it has taken enforcement actions against six cattle feedlots in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska for violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA) in line with “an increased emphasis aimed at ending harmful discharges of pollutants” from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) into rivers and streams. (Feedstuffs)
 
> US – ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE   USDA’s Agricultural Research Service microbiologists have discovered more than 700 genes that give bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, listeria and enterococcus the ability to resist antibiotics. Researchers used DNA microarray technology to detect the resistance genes. (Meating Place)
 
************************************
BRAKKE CONSULTING, INC.
EXECUTIVE AND SALES FORCE RECRUITING
 
Since 1986 Brakke Consulting, Inc. has successfully assisted many clients in acquiring exceptional employees at all levels, in the many departments of animal health, pet, veterinary and specialty chemical companies.  
 
We pre-qualify candidates, allowing clients to choose from the best applicants for a position.  Our approach increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the Human Resources Departments of client companies. For more information visit our website at www.BrakkeConsulting.com
 
************************************
BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
 
The news this week continues to demonstrate that there are companies with technology to be developed, licensed or sold.  We’re pleased with the continued growing interest in animal health by venture and equity funds.  The lack of risk capital available to animal health companies the past few years, along with reduced R&D budgets, has dramatically reduced the number of true research projects.  The result is that many companies’ new product pipelines are shallow, thus creating exit strategies for companies with new technology that will allow for excellent returns on capital for investors. 
 
Each week Brakke Consulting is being presented new early stage technologies that have merit in animal health. These innovative companies or technologies will lead the new revenue growth for the industry in the coming years, either as standalone companies or as part of larger operations. 
 
If you are in the US, have a safe Memorial Day Weekend!!  I’m in the Midwest making sure that the food plots are planted correctly!!
 
Ron Brakke
 
************************************
This electronic newsletter is the sole property of Brakke Consulting, Inc.
Any use of the contents herein should be approved by and appropriately attributed to Brakke Consulting, Inc.
For more information about Brakke Consulting’s services and syndicated studies, visit our website at www.brakkeconsulting.com.
 
Brakke Consulting, Inc.
2735 Villa Creek, Suite 140
Dallas, TX  75234    USA