Animal Health News & Notes for April 18, 2025

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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for April 18, 2025
Copyright © Brakke Consulting
Editor: Lynn Fondon DVM MBA
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IN THE NEWS:
Brakke Consulting News
Animal Health Jobs

Earnings News
Virbac

Other news
Bimeda
BioStar NutriProducts
Bulmer Pet Foods
Cargill
Ceva
EBOS
Eq Especialidades
Harrison’s Bird Foods
Lang Life Sciences
The Nutriment Company
PetVivo
SVS Veterinary Supplies
Syva
Transcend Biologics
The Vaccine Group
Viromed Medica
Zoetis

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Animal Health Jobs
To visit the Animal Health Jobs website click here.

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EARNINGS NEWS RELEASES

• Virbac SA reported results for the first quarter of 2025. Revenue was EUR 375 million ($426 million), up +8.5% compared to the same period in 2024 (+9.5% currency adjusted). The integration of the Japanese company Sasaeah contributed 4.6 percentage points to growth. Growth in the United States was +2.7% at constant exchange rates. (Globenewswire)

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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES

• Zoetis announced that the FDA has approved a new label indication for Simparica Trio to prevent Dipylidium caninum (flea tapeworm) infections by killing Ctenocephalides felis vector fleas in treated dogs. (company press release)
• Bimeda announced the addition to its portfolio of SecureCattle, an analog of the naturally secreted bovine appeasing pheromone (BAP). SecureCattle is a pour-on solution that improves productivity by decreasing the impact of stress on cattle. (company press release)
• Cargill Animal Nutrition introduced Biostrong C-Protect, combining two product categories: a postbiotic (XPC) and a phytogenic. This unique combination supports bird immunity and enhances gut health, helping layers become more resilient to pathogenic coli challenge. (Feedstuffs)
• Harrison’s Bird Foods announced the launch of Harrison’s Organic Premium Pellets (HOPP), a certified organic pellet providing maintenance nutrition for healthy adult small to medium pet birds. (company press release)
• Transcend Biologics announced the launch of TropoVet PRP, a one-step platelet purification system designed for veterinary applications. (com)
• AFRICA The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Ceva Santé Animale (Ceva) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish an Animal Health Innovation Hub for Africa at ILRI’s Nairobi campus. (com)
• MEXICO PetVivo Holdings, Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive distribution agreement with Eq Especialidades to inventory, market and promote PetVivo’s veterinary medical device, Spryng with OsteoCushion technology, throughout Mexico. (globenewswire)
• NEW ZEALAND Animal and health care company EBOS announced it is raising up to NZ$275 million (US$162 million) to acquire 100% of New Zealand’s SVS Veterinary Supplies, a veterinary distributor. (co.nz)
• EU Viromed Medical AG and Lang Life Sciences GmbH, with its brand and veterinary platform AMAMUS Vet, have signed an exclusive agreement to market Viromed’s cold plasma medical device ViroCAP for use in veterinary medicine in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. (co.uk)
• UK The Nutriment Company (TNC) announced it has acquired British manufacturer Bulmer Pet Foods, a producer and supplier of dog food. Financial terms were not disclosed. (Globalpets)
• UK The Vaccine Group (TVG), a Frontier IP Group PLC portfolio company, announced a collaboration with Syva to develop a vaccine for Streptococcus suis in pigs. (co.uk)
• PHILIPPINES BioStar NutriProducts Pte Ltd introduced Gut Bio Balance, an all-natural probiotic, to an international audience. Designed as a feed additive, Gut Bio Balance strengthens the gastrointestinal tract to prevent infections and support optimal poultry growth. (com)

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ANIMAL HEALTH STOCK PRICE TRACKER

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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS

• US – ANIMAL HEALTH GRANTS The USDA’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that it is awarding more than $15.3 million to 68 projects that will enhance prevention, preparedness, early detection and rapid response to the most damaging diseases that threaten U.S. livestock. USDA is awarding this funding through the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP). (Feedstuffs)
• US – REGULATION US Senators have introduced the Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act, which would specifically strengthen the enforcement of existing price-fixing laws to ensure America’s meatpackers comply. The Act would create and empower a team of investigators at the USDA to prevent anticompetitive practices in the meat and poultry industry by enforcing existing antitrust laws, in coordination with the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. (Feedstuffs)
• US – ANIMAL TESTING The FDA announced it would begin phasing out animal testing requirements for antibody therapies and other drugs and move toward AI-based models and other tools it deems “human-relevant.” The agency plans to launch a pilot program over the next year allowing select developers of monoclonal antibodies to use a primarily non-animal-based testing strategy. Officials said that companies that submit strong safety data from non-animal tests may receive streamlined product reviews. (AVMA SmartBrief – axios)
• AFRICA – VACCINATION The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced a plan to vaccinate animals around the world to battle zoonotic diseases, improve food security, and protect livestock based economies.  The Program will begin with a pilot program in Africa that will target cattle, goats and poultry in areas where livestock losses disproportionately affect smallholder farms.  The Foundation is working with the African Union’s Centers for Disease Control, the OIE, and local governments to provide vaccines and train veterinary staff. (com)
• UK – PET OWNER RESOURCES The UK’s RCVS announced it has permanently launched a pet owner advice platform that they hope will help clients to better understand how practices work. Clinicians are being encouraged to promote the facility to their clients. (com)
• US – AVIAN INFLUENZA RESEARCH The University of Maryland and researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have received $648,881 from USDA’s National Institute of Food & Agriculture to develop a nasal vaccine to protect dairy cattle from H5N1 avian influenza. The vaccine could also potentially be used in humans, if necessary. (Feedstuffs)

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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
The Hidden Math Behind Veterinary Rx Sales: A Tale of Two Channels

How do margins really stack-up for pet Rx products in-clinic vs. clinic online store sales?

Let’s crunch the numbers: A 30-day supply of Carprofen priced at $50 (wholesale $30) appears to offer a healthy 40% margin. However, VHMA benchmark data shows the reality is far different. In-clinic dispensing incurs labor costs ($5-$10 per prescription), inventory carrying costs (20-30% annually), and credit card processing fees (averaging 3.5%). Factor in 5-10% annual inventory loss from spoilage and 2-5% shrinkage reported by VHMA, and that 40% margin mirage evaporates to roughly 14.5%.

And while vet clinic-owned online stores through platforms like Covetrus, Vetsource and Blue Rabbit will help ease physical inventory costs and reduce labor burden, they also introduce platform fees, marketing costs and competitive pricing pressures. AVMA Economic Reports suggest the automation and efficiency gains can help preserve margins while freeing staff time for higher-value services.

Also consider, the 2024 Brakke Pet Rx Home Delivery Study revealed “pet owner demand” is the main reason vet clinics have online stores, and nearly 80% of pet owners said home delivery helps Rx compliance. Today, people expect to buy everything in a couple of smartphone clicks and have it delivered to their door.

Smart practices are adopting hybrid strategies to maximize overall practice profitability by leveraging online platforms for maintenance medications while maintaining in-clinic inventory for acute needs. According to AAHA guidelines, this approach optimizes inventory investment while enhancing customer service.

Richard Hayworth

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YOUR VIEW
Last week, we asked your thoughts on bringing back extinct species via genetic engineering. 39% think it is a bad idea, 22% think it is a great idea, and 39% said you’d need to know more about it to form an opinion.

This week
Are you buying present or special treat for your pet(s) this Easter?