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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for September 18, 2015
Copyright © Brakke Consulting, Inc.
Editor: Lynn Fondon DVM MBA
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IN THE NEWS:
Brakke Consulting news
Recruiting
other news
Aratana Therapeutics NV
BioNua Limited
Blue Buffalo
Domhealth
Integrated Animal Health
Master Vet Products
Merck
Nexvet
PetCure Oncology
Rejuvenate Plus
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Veterinary MRI and Radiotherapy Center of NJ
Vétoquinol
Vireo Systems
ViroVet
Zenoaq
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BRAKKE CONSULTING, INC.
EXECUTIVE, SALES FORCE and TECHNICAL SERVICES RECRUITING
At Brakke Consulting we find the right person to fit your company’s needs. We have an unequaled network in animal health, and unique insights into what veterinarians value in an animal health professional, including the sales rep attributes that correlate to higher sales volume.
As part of our executive recruiting services, we manage the entire process of identifying and recruiting top candidates, including:
• Developing metrics to help rank candidates
• Scheduling interviews and arranging for travel
• Maintaining communications with candidates throughout the process
For more information about our recruiting services, visit our website or call one of our consultants:
• John Mannhaupt at 972.243.4033
• David Goodnight at 830.285.1259
www.BrakkeConsulting.com
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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES
> Merck Animal Health announced the launch of Porcilis Ileitis, the first injectable vaccine that offers a 20-week duration of immunity (DOI) for control of ileitis in swine caused by Lawsonia intracellularis. (company press release)
> Integrated Animal Health announced it is expanding its global footprint with offices in Budapest, Hungary and Auckland, New Zealand. IAH will begin exclusive distribution of its core product technologies in New Zealand through Domhealth, a New Zealand owned and operated animal health company. (company press release)
> Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced the VetMAX-Gold SIV Subtyping Kit, the industry’s only USDA-approved, real-time PCR test of its kind for identifying swine influenza subtypes in production animals. (company press release)
> Blue Buffalo announced the launch of BLUE Natural Veterinary Diets, a line of veterinary-exclusive formulas with natural ingredients. (DVM360)
> Master Vet Products announced the launch of the MVP Smart Rabies Tag for dogs and cats. The new smartphone-linked, state-approved rabies tag has a patent-pending QR code that provides the pet’s profile, medical information and exact GPS location. (company press release)
> PetCure Oncology announced it has acquired Veterinary MRI and Radiotherapy Center of NJ. VRIC joined PetCure Oncology’s growing network of veterinary radiosurgery centers with sister locations in Phoenix and Cincinnati. Centers in Wisconsin and Illinois are set to open in the coming months. Financial terms were not disclosed. (Business wire)
> EU Vétoquinol announced the European launch of Upcard, the first-ever torasemide diuretic registered for veterinary use. Upcard is registered for once-daily use to treat clinical signs of canine congestive heart failure. (Animal Pharm)
> JAPAN Nippon Zenyaku Kogyo (Zenoaq) announced the Japanese launch of Mediderm (pirocton olamine). Mediderm is indicated for the treatment of dermatitis caused by Malassezia in dogs. (Animal Pharm)
> CANADA Vireo Systems announced it has purchased Rejuvenate Plus, a Canadian manufacturer of supplements for dogs and cats. Financial terms were not disclosed. (News.sys-con.com)
> BELGIUM ViroVet, a new Belgian company focused on the discovery, licensing, and development of innovative biopharmaceutical products for livestock, has commenced operations. ViroVet is a spin-out of Aratana Therapeutics NV (formerly Okapi Sciences NV). ViroVet’s objective is to develop technologies to improve the health and value of livestock. Aratana Therapeutics NV will remain focused on pet therapeutics. (Animal Pharm)
> IRELAND Nexvet announced it has secured a facility in Tullamore, Ireland, which will be dedicated to biologics manufacturing. BioNua Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nexvet, will run business operations at the 20,000 square foot facility, which was previously devoted to producing human biopharmaceuticals. (company press release)
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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS
> FRANCE – BLUETONGUE France has reported its first case of bluetongue disease in five years, prompting restrictions on the movement of animals in an area holding more than five million head of sheep and cattle. Clinical signs of the disease were noted in a single sheep on a farm in Central France. Samples subsequently tested positive from five out of 175 sheep and 27 out of 147 cattle. The animals were infected with the Bluetongue serotype 8 (BTV-8), which has not been reported anywhere in the world since 2011. The ministry said it would make 1.3 million doses of vaccine available over the coming days, while imposing a protection and surveillance zone covering some 150 km. (Animal Pharm)
> FRANCE – WEST NILE FEVER There has been an outbreak of West Nile fever among horses in central southern France where two horses have been found positive out of a susceptible herd of 80 horses. Quarantine restrictions are in place and premises sprayed to control vectors. A vaccination strategy has not been employed. (Animal Pharm)
> UK – RSV New research at the Pirbright Institute has demonstrated that calves vaccinated with an adenovirus-vector expressing human respiratory syncytial virus (HSRV) proteins protected them from the bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) infection. The study was conducted to test a human vaccine, but could also provide protection for calves. The HRSV and BRSV research at Pirbright is supported by the UK clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company ReiThera, which is based at Oxford University. (Animal Pharm)
> US – PET FOOD The FDA has finalized two major rules contained in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), nearly 5 years after the passage of the Act. One of those rules marks the first time the agency is laying out current good manufacturing practices for making, processing and packaging animal foods. (FierceAnimalhealth)
> US – PET FOOD The revised AAFCO Dog and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles were accepted by the full AAFCO membership and will be published in the 2016 Official Publication. Pet food companies will have one to two years (for new and existing products, respectively) from time of publication to confirm compliance with the new requirements or reformulate and/or re-label accordingly. (PetFoodIndustry.com)
> US – DISTRIBUTOR LABELING The FDA has issued draft guidance for industry, “Distributor Labeling for New Animal Drugs” that describes issues the FDA considers when deciding whether to take regulatory action on new animal drug distributor labeling that differs from the labeling approved as part of a New Animal Drug Application or Abbreviated New Animal Drug Application. The FDA is accepting public comments for 60 days after it publishes in the Federal Register. To electronically submit comments to the docket, visit www.regulations.gov and type FDA-2015-D-3056 in the search box. (FDA)
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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
The entry of new brands and products make up most of the news this week. The growth in the various product categories of the industry allows new companies to enter with reasonably good success. The performance and growth in animal health continues to attract new technology and investments, which benefits everyone.
While some segments of animal agriculture have experienced reduced prices for animal protein, other segments are prospering. Current feed grain prices are highly favorable for the production of animal protein. However, lower feed grain prices are reducing total farm income, which will impact some large equipment purchasing decisions, but will have limited impact on animal health. The companion animal segment continues bullish growth with few signs of any slow-down in the near future. The third quarter financial reports from the leading companies will provide insights as to how the year will end for the industry.
Have a good weekend!!
Ron Brakke
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