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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for January 22, 2021
Copyright © Brakke Consulting
Editor: Lynn Fondon DVM MBA
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IN THE NEWS:
Brakke Consulting News
2021 Industry Overview – register now
Earnings News
Animalcare
PetMed Express
Virbac
Other News
Afimilk
Agrivida
Alltech
Armor Animal Health
Better Choice Company
Boehringer Ingelheim
Elanco
Exubrion Therapeutics
GENEX
Google
Immuno-Dynamics
Land O’Lakes
Lanxess
LIC
Merck
Nedap
Neogen
Novus
Orion Animal Health
Petco
Phibro
Royal Agrifirm Group
TechMix
Theseo
TriviumVet
Troy Animal Healthcare
Vetoquinol
Zomedica
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BRAKKE CONSULTING
ANNOUNCING THE 2021 BRAKKE INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
PRESENTED VIRTUALLY ON FEBRUARY 23, 2021
New research on how veterinarians have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and their plans for the post-pandemic world will be an important feature of the annual Brakke Consulting Industry Overview, to be presented in a 90-minute webinar on Tuesday, Feb. 23 beginning at 11 am EST.
The new research examines the role of such things as curbside appointments and telemedicine, and how veterinarians plan to deploy them post-pandemic. We also look at the impact of COVID-19 on the veterinary staff during this trying year, as well as make our predictions on what’s ahead for the industry in 2021. There will also be an opportunity for questions from the audience.
In addition to the new research findings, the Overview will cover:
- Top animal health company revenues, growth, and new product performance
- A special analysis of changes in ecommerce and pet medication sales
- Status of veterinary practice consolidation
- Data on pet adoptions and pet population during the pandemic
- New perspectives on the evolution of veterinary distribution
- African Swine Fever, pandemic-driven packing plant closures and the future of technology on the farm animal market
The Brakke Industry Overview is an information-packed presentation geared to the interests of executive leadership, sales and marketing managers, financial executives and others involved in the industry. The cost of attending the online Overview this year is reduced to $199. To register, go to (insert link). Or, you can call Amanda McDavid, (336) 396-3916. We look forward to having you join us.
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COMPANY EARNINGS RELEASES
- Virbac reported results for the full year 2020. Revenue was EUR 934 million ($1.15 billion), a decline of -0.4% from the prior year. Excluding Sentinel (divested in 2020), revenues grew 2% for the year (+6% at constant exchange rates and scope). (company website)
- PetMed Express, Inc. announced its financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2020. Net sales were $66 million, an increase of 10% compared to the prior-year quarter. Net income was $7.6 million, an 11% increase compared to the prior-year quarter. (company website)
- Animalcare announced unaudited results for the full year 2020. Revenues were GBP 70.5 million ($97 million), a decline of 1% compared to the prior year. However, revenues for the six months to the end of December were up 3% to GBP 36 million ($49.5 million). (IHS Markit Connect)
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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES
- Boehringer Ingelheim announced it has entered a partnership with Google focused on exploring and implementing cutting-edge use cases for quantum computing in pharmaceutical R&D, including molecular dynamics simulations. Boehringer is the first pharmaceutical and animal health company to partner with Google in quantum computing. (IHS Markit Connect)
- Merck Animal Health has announced that Bovilis Nasalgen 3-PMH is now available to veterinarians and cattle producers to protect beef and dairy cattle from five of the most common pneumonia-causing viral and bacterial pathogens: infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), parainfluenza 3 (PI3), Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida. (company press release)
- Vetoquinol and Orion Animal Health announced they have added new products to the scope of their existing distribution relationship. Orion will market Vetoquinol’s Drontal and Profender in Finland, Hungary and Romania. At the same time, Vetoquinol will distribute Orion’s Clevor in the US. (IHS Markit Connect)
- The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine has approved Neogen‘s ThyroKare (levothyroxine sodium tablets), the second levothyroxine sodium product approved for replacement therapy for diminished thyroid function in dogs. (FDA)
- Phibro Animal Health Corporation announced the opening of its newly renovated plant in Omaha, Nebraska. Phibro has increased the manufacturing footprint to more than 100,000 square feet and added technology innovations. (National Hog Farmer)
- Alltech‘s E-CO2 business announced the launch of a model that is designed to help feed manufacturers and farmers lower their carbon footprint. Feeds EA, which measures the environmental effects of feed production at feed mills assesses the impact of existing compounds or blends – determined by calculating greenhouse gas emissions from production, cultivation, processing, energy utilization and transportation in the manufacturing of the feed. (IHS Markit Connect)
- Armor Animal Health announced it is expanding its reach this week and opening a new distribution center in Sioux Falls, SD. (company press release)
- Exubrion Therapeutics announced that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued licensing guidelines for the use of Synovetin OA, a new device administered via intra-articular injection and intended to reduce synovitis and associate pain of canine elbow joints afflicted with osteoarthritis. Synovetin OA utilizes radiosynoviorthesis (RSO) to break the cycle of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. The guidelines establish a protocol for veterinary practices interested in offering the product to their patients. (company press release)
- Zomedica announced it has regained compliance with the NYSE American’s continued listing standards after previously receiving a warning from the NYSE. As a result of an increase in Zomedica’s share price, investors have been exercising outstanding warrants, giving the firm more than $40 million of additional cash. Zomedica’s cash and cash equivalents are now in excess of $90 million. (IHS Markit Connect)
- TriviumVet announced that it has initiated a clinical study to evaluate the effectiveness of a patented delayed-release rapamycin formulation (TRIV-203F) in treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats. Should TRIV-203F prove to be effective, it would offer veterinarians and cat owners a first-in-disease treatment option for this currently intractable condition. (company press release)
- Better Choice Company announced the closing of a $2.7 million strategic investment, which will have 50%+ participation from existing insiders and management. Use of proceeds will be used to expedite the expansion of innovative new portfolio offerings such as Vegan, CBD and Ultra-Premium product lines. (Globe Newswire)
- Petco Health & Wellness announced it has raised approximately $864 million from an initial public offering (IPO). The company priced 48 million shares of class A common stock for sale to the public at $18 each. The stock opened at $26 per share on the Nasdaq and was priced at around $29 at the close of the day. Petco’s shares began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker ‘WOOF’ on January 14. (IHS Markit Connect)
- Land O’Lakes, Inc. and Royal Agrifirm Group announce a new strategic partnership in functional feed additives to expand presence and product portfolio through a global market access. The agreement, between Royal Agrifirm Group’s functional feed ingredient brand Agrimprove and Land O’Lakes’ PMI feed additive businesses, is the third key partnership between the two cooperatives. (company press release)
- Novus announced a partnership with Agrivida, which has discovered a way to incorporate feed additives directly into corn grown for production animals. Novus is making Agrivida products available to its customers in the US immediately, while registration is underway to expand to other countries. (Feedstuffs)
- TechMix, LLC announced the acquisition of Immuno-Dynamics, Inc. Immuno-Dynamics manufactures products that effectively aid in prevention of disease and fortify an animal during acute stress conditions. Financial terms were not disclosed. (Hoards Dairyman)
- GENEX, an animal genetics provider, and Nedap, a leader in dairy herd management technology, introduced the new GENEX HerdMonitor cow monitoring system. The all-in-one system’s collar combines animal identification, heat detection, health monitoring (eating, rumination, inactive behavior), herd performance trends and cow locating with seamless integration with other automation systems, herd management programs and software tools. (Feedstuffs)
- AUSTRALIA Troy Animal Healthcare it has acquired Avenge+Fly, Zapp, Encore and Maggo parasiticides (legacy Bayer products) from Elanco for the Australian and New Zealand markets. Financial terms were not disclosed. (queenslandcountrylife.com.au)
- EU Lanxess announced the acquisition of French disinfection and hygiene specialist Theseo for EUR 70 million ($85 million). Theseo provides products for disease prevention and control in Europe and Latin America with a particular focus on pigs and poultry, and is expected to record 2020 revenues of approximately EUR 33 million in 2020. (IHS Markit Connect)
- NEW ZEALAND LIC announced a distribution partnership with Israeli-based Afimilk to market its hi-tech cow collars in New Zealand. The AfiCollar, worn around the cow’s neck, collects data on animal health, wellbeing and fertility. (Ruralnewsgroup.co.nz)
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ANIMAL HEALTH STOCK PRICE TRACKER
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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS
- US – GENE EDITING OVERSIGHT The USDA announced the finalization of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the FDA outlining responsibilities concerning the regulation of certain animals developed using genetic engineering that are intended for agricultural purposes (such as human food, fiber, and labor). The MOU puts the Department of Agriculture as the chief regulator over farm animal biotechnology and gene editing, including the transition of portions of FDA’s pre-existing animal biotechnology regulatory oversight to USDA. FDA would continue its review of intentional genomic alterations intended for any purpose other than agricultural use, such as biopharma and non-heritable genomic alteration, and the regulation of dairy products, table and shell eggs, certain meat products, and animal food (feed) derived from animals developed using genetic engineering. (TheCattleSite.com)
- US – HEMP REGULATION The USDA announced the final rule regulating the production of hemp in the United States. The final rule incorporates modifications to regulations established under the interim final rule published in October 2019. The modifications are based on public comments following the publication of the IFR and lessons learned during the 2020 growing season. The final rule (read it here) is available for viewing in the Federal Register and will be effective on March 22, 2021. (Feedstuffs)
- US – FELINE RESEARCH Rubbing against catnip and silver vine transfers plant chemicals that researchers have now shown protect cats from mosquitoes. The results also demonstrate that engaging with nepetalactol, which the study identified as the most potent of many intoxicating iridoid compounds found in silver vine, activates the opioid reward system in both domesticated felines and big jungle cats. The research was published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. (Eurekalert)
- US – EQUINE RESEARCH Quantitative PCR analysis of messenger RNA expression in blood samples from 904 race horses revealed three biomarkers of catastrophic injury risk. Horses that had experienced catastrophic injury had a high likelihood of having elevated insulin-like growth factor 1 or matrix metalloproteinase-2 levels or depressed interleukin-1 receptor antagonist levels, suggesting mRNA marker analysis could serve as a pre-race screening tool. The research was presented at the 2020 American Association of Equine Practitioners’ annual conference. (AVMA SmartBrief)
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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
I am an optimist. Much to the frustration of some around me, I am always looking for and usually finding a positive aspect to almost everything. In the responses to last week’s question, “How do you think your company will do in 2021?”, it seems I am in good company, as the survey responses indicate there is a lot of optimism in our industry. Eighty-six (86) percent of respondents felt their business would increase by more than 5%, the sort of average industry growth rate we have seen over the last five years. Now the real optimism kicks in, as 41% indicated their business would increase 10-19%, and a whopping 13% responded that they expect a business increase next year of 20% or more.
This is all great news. Growth rates in excess of 20% would indicate to me that we will see some striking growth in existing products and perhaps several new product launches. Why not sign up now for the Bakke Industry Overview webinar and see how Brakke Consulting contrasts 2020/2021 performance and prospects.
Cary Christensen
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