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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for December 8, 2023
Copyright © Brakke Consulting
Editor: Lynn Fondon DVM MBA
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IN THE NEWS:
Brakke Consulting News
US Flea Control and Heartworm Markets Report – now available
Pet Medications Home Delivery Study
Industry Overview at VMX and WVC
Earnings News
Chewy
J.M. Smucker
Other News
Active Partners
Antelope
Astrasana Holding
Blackstone
Eville & Jones
ExeGi Pharma
Felix Pharmaceutical
HABRI
IDEXX
Jaguar Health
KatKin
Musti Group
My Perfect Pet
Neogen
Phenna Group
Releaf for Pets
Rover Group
Sonae
Synchrony
Vetsource
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Brakke Consulting
2023 US FLEA CONTROL AND HEARTWORM MARKETS REPORT
NOW AVAILABLE
Are you on top of the trends in the largest market segment in companion animal health? Brakke Consulting’s US Flea Control and Heartworm Markets report is now available.
The report includes valuable information on the US market for small animal parasiticides including:
– Product descriptions, prices (veterinarian cost and online pricing), and sales for the leading veterinary flea, tick and heartworm products
– an overview of the veterinary and OTC flea control markets
– discussion of new product launches, including NEXGARD PLUS and NEXGARD COMBO
– 2023 survey of 400 veterinarians
– 2023 survey of 500 pet owners
The report on the US Flea Control & Heartworm Markets is available for a purchase price of $7,995. Please contact Dr. Lynn Fondon at 336-396-3916 or lfondon@brakkeconsulting.com to order the report, or for more information visit our website.
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EARNINGS NEWS RELEASES
- Chewy, Inc. announced its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2023 ended October 29, 2023. Net sales were $2.74 billion, an improvement of 8% year-over-year. Net loss was $(35.8) million, including share-based compensation expense and related taxes of $65.8 million. Adjusted net income was $63.0 million, an increase of 30% year-over-year. (company press release)
- The M. Smucker Co. announced results for the second quarter ended October 31, 2023, of its 2024 fiscal year. U.S. Retail Pet Foods net sales were $464 million, a decline of 39%. Excluding noncomparable net sales in the prior year related to divested pet food brands, net sales increased 20%. Segment profit was $97.2 million, a decline of 19%; excluding the impact of the divestiture, segment profit increased. (seekingalpha)
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Brakke Consulting
Presented at VMX: Monday, January 15th, 2-4 pm, Hyatt Regency, Orlando Ballroom N
Presented at WVC: Monday, February 19th, 2-4 pm, Four Seasons Hotel
How did the top animal health companies perform in 2023? And what critical issues will impact industry performance in 2024? Answers to these questions and more will be covered at Brakke Consulting’s annual Industry Overview at the VMX and WVC conferences next year. Key topics and presenters include:
- Industry and top global company performance, presented by Bob Jones
- What 2023 looked like in vet practices and with pets, presented by John Volk
- An overview of the post-COVID home delivery channel for pet medications including results from the new Pet Medicines Home Delivery Study, presented by Rich Hayworth
- With recent advancements in technology-related products in livestock production and pet care, where is the value and what are the risks? presented by Lourens Havenga
Also, again at both events, you will be able to hear directly from a panel of top leaders in the animal health industry. Moderated by Paul Casady, the topic for the panel will be “Opportunities and Challenges in 2024.” The panel for VMX and WVC will be announced soon.
This information-packed 2-hour session will be especially valuable for executive leadership, sales and marketing, strategy, and finance managers and for decision makers in the animal health industry.
Click here to register for VMX
Click here to register for WVC
You can also email Amanda McDavid or call at 336-396-3916. Registration cost is $399; there are discounts for multiple attendees from the same company. We look forward to seeing you there!
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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES
- IDEXX Laboratories and Texas A&M’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences’ (VMBS) Gastrointestinal Laboratory (GI Lab) announced the availability of the Dysbiosis Index, a new diagnostic index that will help veterinarians assess chronic GI dysfunction in dogs. The test identifies dysbiosis – the loss of good, healthy bacteria in the gut microbiome – by tracking the levels of various bacteria over time. (org)
- The FDA announced it has approved Felix Pharmaceutical‘s generic Enrofloxacin injectable solution for use in cattle and swine. (FDA)
- Jaguar Health, Inc. announced that the FDA has approved renewal of the conditional approval for Canalevia-CA1 (crofelemer delayed-release tablets). The renewal for conditional approval is in effect until December 21, 2024. (streetinsider)
- Neogen Corporation announced that it has partnered with the TerraNova Equestrian Center in Florida, making the company the official biosecurity provider of the facility. (seekingalpha)
- ExeGi Pharma, a therapeutic probiotic solutions company, introduced its new probiotic formula, Visbiome Vet Constipation Care, designed to combat occasional constipation in cats. (DVM360)
- Rover Group announced it entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by private investment firm Blackstone for $2.3 billion. Rover’s stockholders will receive $11 per share in cash, a premium of approximately 61%. (Globalpets)
- Antelope announced it has acquired My Perfect Pet, a gently cooked dog and cat food brand. Financial terms were not disclosed. (Pet Product News)
- Vetsource announced the launch of free accredited continuing education courses in veterinary pharmacy, developed by the Vetsource Clinical Committee and its own pharmacists to fill the gap in veterinary-specific education. The Vetsource Clinical Committee partnered with the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science to host and accredit the courses. (Vet Advantage)
- The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Synchrony have announced a strategic partnership to advance the companies’ shared goal of strengthening the human-animal bond. (Pet Business)
- EU Astrasana Holding AG announced the successful completion of the majority acquisition of Releaf for Pets. Financial terms were not disclosed. (com)
- EU European cat-centric brand KatKin recently received backing from venture capital and private equity Active Partners. The venture capital joins KatKin’s existing investors V3 Ventures by Verlinvest, and Octopus Ventures. (net)
- FINLAND Portugal-based Sonae announced a tender offer of EUR 868 million ($943.6M) for Finnish pet retailer Musti Group, and Musti’s Board of Directors has unanimously recommended that the company’s shareholders accept the tender. Musti posted revenue of EUR 426 million ($455M) in the 9 months to September 2023, an increase of 8.9%. (Globalpets)
- UK Veterinary group Eville & Jones, a provider of veterinary, compliance and public health solutions to the food industry, announced that they have been acquired by Phenna Group. Financial terms were not disclosed. (company announcement)
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Brakke Consulting
Pet Medications Home Delivery Study
Optimizing Pet Medicine Services: Key Insights into Home Delivery Channel
Discover critical insights for pet medicine businesses and veterinarians. Based on surveys of veterinarians and pet owners, as well as other primary research, the new Brakke Pet Medications Home Delivery Study will unveil current pet owner behaviors, emerging veterinary business trends, and the impact of online retailers on pet medication home delivery.
Leverage this knowledge to refine services, enhance customer experiences, and manage competitive challenges effectively. The proprietary research in this groundbreaking study will allow businesses to stay at the forefront of the evolving pet healthcare industry with current industry-backed data. Your success is our priority.
The report, which will be published at the end of 2023, is priced at $14,500. For more information, contact Richard Hayworth at rhayworth@brakkeconsulting.com or 214.422.2025.
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ANIMAL HEALTH STOCK PRICE TRACKER
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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS
- VIETNAM – ASF VACCINE The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) is warning that more testing of African swine fever vaccines is needed, triggered by Vietnam’s plans to export doses in coming months. WOAH says AVAC Vietnam JSC, the producer of one of the two vaccines, has not shared sufficient data with international researchers and bodies. (com.ph)
- US – MUMS GRANTS The FDA opened a new period for applications for grants to support the development and potential approval or conditional approval of new animal drugs intended to treat uncommon diseases (minor uses) in major species (horses, dogs, cats, cattle, pigs, turkeys and chickens) or to treat minor species (MUMS drugs). The due date to submit an optional Letter of Intent to apply for a grant is December 15, 2023, and applications must be submitted by February 2, 2024. (FDA)
- NORTH AMERICA – VETERINARY SERVICES Veterinarians Without Borders / Vétérinaires Sans Frontières announced an expansion into the United States, with the establishment of the registered U.S. charity Veterinarians Without Borders USA. Together, these two charities are rebranding as Veterinarians Without Borders North America. VWB North America works in more than a dozen countries and serves more than 1.5 million people and animals annually through a range of services. (Vet Advantage)
- US – VETERINARY SCHOOLS Roseman University of Health Sciences is reportedly considering the addition of a veterinary school in Great Falls, Montana. Roseman has human health programs in Nevada and Utah, and is collaborating with the Great Falls Economic Development Alliance to advance to the next steps. (com)
- US – ANTIMICROBIAL USE The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine published the 2022 Summary Report on Antimicrobials Sold or Distributed for Use in Food-Producing Animals. This year’s data show that domestic sales and distribution of medically important antimicrobial drugs approved for use in food-producing animals increased by 4% between 2021 and 2022; compared to 2015 (peak year of sales), 2022 sales were down 36%. (FDA)
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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
This week’s newsletter highlights Blackstone’s acquisition of Rover Group, Inc, the world’s largest network of dog walkers and pet sitters, for $2.3 billion. The Seattle-based company, started in 2011 with a simple plan of connecting pet parents with pet service providers via their Rover.com app and website in North America and Europe.
Fast forward ten years to August 2021, shares of ROVR start trading on Nasdaq. After weathering financial losses from decrease in pet sitting services during COVID pandemic, Rover saw strong recovery on accelerated demand due to workers’ return to office, increased travel and the ‘pandemic pet’ phenomenon.
Now, Rover is acquired for billions of dollars. From 2011 through the end of September this year, more than 93 million services have been booked by more than 4 million pet parents through 1 million pet care providers paid across North America and Europe. Most of this growth has come organically – by word of mouth.
After a recent knee surgery, I used Rover for the first time to avoid inconveniencing friends and family with dog duties. The app was easy to navigate, the booking process was simple, and found several well-qualified dog walkers. I had an immediate need and Rover provided an elegant solution.
Today’s pet owners are willing to pay premium prices for high-quality care, flexibility, and convenience. And today, Blackstone is willing to pay a lot of money for a pet services app. Which app is next?
Richard Hayworth
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YOUR VIEW
Last week, we asked what you thought inflation for the year would be. The greatest percentage – 43% – said that it will be 3-4%; another 24% said it will be higher than that. 27% think inflation will be 2-3%, and only 7% believe it will be less than 2%.