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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for October 16, 2015
Copyright © Brakke Consulting, Inc.
Editor: Lynn Fondon DVM MBA
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IN THE NEWS:
Brakke Consulting news
market research
earnings news
Animalcare
Nestle
other news
AB Neo
BluePearl Veterinary Partners
Bodit Tachov
Ceva
Gour Medical
Harrisvaccines
IDEXX
MAI Animal Health
Mars Petcare
Patterson
Petco
PetSmart
Ultima Dental Systems
Universal Surgical Instruments
Vetter Software
Zoetis
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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 our in-house database of veterinarians and the ability to custom-tailor surveys of a wide variety of target audiences, we provide reliable insights into this unique industry. We also produce multiclient 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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COMPANY EARNINGS RELEASES
> Nestle SA reported results for the first nine months of 2015. Petcare sales were CHF 8.31 billion ($8.54 billion), an increase of 1% compared to the prior year. (company press release)
> Animalcare recorded results for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015. Sales were GBP 13.5 million ($20.7 million), a 5% improvement year-on-year. Animalcare attributed overall growth to a 9% rise in sales of its licensed veterinary medicines, which make up about 63% of total revenues. Profit before tax for 2015 was GBP 3 million, a 13% increase on 2014. (Animal Pharm)
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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES
> Zoetis announced the launch of Lepto EQ Innovator vaccine, the first USDA-approved equine-specific vaccine for leptospirosis caused by Leptospira pomona. (TheHorse.com)
> The USDA’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced it has awarded contracts to Harrisvaccines and Ceva to manufacture doses of avian influenza vaccine. APHIS emphasized that this action was taken to develop the agency’s National Veterinary Stockpile and does not signal a decision to vaccinate for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at this time. (Feedstuffs.com)
> Gour Medical SA announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with IDEXX Laboratories to continue the development of a recombinant monoclonal antibody for therapeutic use: anti-IgE chimeric antibody for the treatment of canine allergy. Financial terms were not disclosed. (company press release)
> MAI Animal Health announced it has added Universal Surgical Instruments and Ultima Dental Systems to the MAI Animal Health family of brands and manufacturers. (Vet Advantage)
> PetSmart’s talks to acquire Petco Holdings have reportedly stalled over disagreements about sharing the risk of getting the deal approved by US antitrust authorities. While the two companies remain interested in a deal, Petco is said to be unwilling to compensate PetSmart in the event that the Federal Trade Commission asks for excessive store closures to allow the deal to go through. Petco has asked several private equity firms to submit their final acquisition offers in the coming weeks. (Reuters)
> Mars Petcare, which owns Banfield Pet Hospital, has agreed to purchase the BluePearl Veterinary Partners chain. BluePearl operates 54 specialty and emergency care hospitals in 17 states. Financial terms were not disclosed. (VeterinaryPracticeNews.com)
> Patterson Veterinary announced it has chosen Vetter Software’s cloud practice management solution to complement its existing practice management offerings and growing suite of technology solutions for veterinary practitioners while providing another convenient access point for online procurement. (company press release)
> EU UK feed additive company AB Neo has acquired Czech Republic animal nutrition firm Bodit Tachov. Bodit specializes in the production and distribution of neonatal and peri/postpartum feeds plus supplements. Financial terms were not disclosed. (Animal Pharm)
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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS
> NORWAY – RABIES Norwegian authorities have confirmed that a dead bat found in a cabin in central Norway was infected with rabies, the first recorded case on the mainland for almost two hundred years. The bat was likely suffering from European Bat lyssavirus 2, which according to the World Health Organization has never in Europe been recorded in any mammal other than bats. (Thelocal.no)
> US – ANTIBIOTIC USE California has passed a law prohibiting the use of antibiotics to promote livestock growth and removing medically important antibiotics from all over-the-counter (OTC) use. The law also increases requirements on the California Department of Food and Agriculture for monitoring antibiotic sales and use within the state. The bill goes into effect in January 2018. (VIN News Service, FierceAnimalHealth)
> US – VETERINARY PHARMACY The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy recently amended the NABP Model State Pharmacy Act to require pharmacies that dispense veterinary drugs to have ready access to at least one current reference on veterinary drugs, such as Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook. The change results from an NABP resolution that calls for pharmacists dispensing medications for veterinary patients to possess the competence and have access to the resources necessary to appropriately dispense and provide patient care. The NABP also adopted a resolution to encourage the development and availability of veterinary pharmacology education at schools and colleges of pharmacy in collaboration with schools of veterinary medicine. (AVMA)
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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
One story that caught my eye this week was the one reporting that the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy recently amended the NABP Model State Pharmacy Act to require pharmacies that dispense veterinary drugs to have ready access to at least one current reference on veterinary drugs. In our recently published Pet Pharmaceutical Trends Study it was clear that many pet owners desire to have some of their veterinary prescriptions filled at their human pharmacy for convenience and a perceived lower cost. There is also a high level of interest on the part of the human pharmacists to properly provide this service.
Another story of interest was the purchase of BluePearl Veterinary Partners by Mars Petcare. With Mars Petcare already being the owner of the largest chain of veterinary hospitals, and now adding a large group of specialty clinics to their portfolio, it appears that they are expanding their business model to serve more pet owners with services and products. It is our view that this in another confirmation that consolidation of companion animal clinics will continue are a rapid pace.
Have a great weekend!
Ron Brakke
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