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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for October 13, 2023
Copyright © Brakke Consulting
Editor: Lynn Fondon DVM MBA
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IN THE NEWS:
Brakke Consulting News
Pet Medications Home Delivery Study – pre-order now
Earnings News
Dechra
Neogen
Other News
Accord Animal Health
Basepaws
Biovet CGT
Ceva
Chewy
CULT Food Science Corp
Dutch
Eclipse Ventures
EQT Partners
CULT Food Science Corp
Genus
Globion
Heartland Veterinary Pharmacy
Hill’s
Lohmann Animal Health
Medgene
Merck
National Veterinary Associates
P3 Technologies
Perfection Pet Foods
PIC
Post Holdings
Suguna Group
TGI Solar Power Group
TriviumVet
VetApproved Pharmacy
VetPartners
Virbac (Ayradia)
Virbac (Globion)
Zoetis
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Brakke Consulting
Pet Medications Home Delivery Study
Pre-order now and save
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. Pre-order by November 15 to receive a $2,000 discount. For more information, contact Richard Hayworth at rhayworth@brakkeconsulting.com or 214.422.2025.
www.BrakkeConsulting.com
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EARNINGS NEWS RELEASES
- Dechra reported audited preliminary results for the year ended June 30, 2023. Group revenue was GBP 761.5 million ($932 million), a year-over-year increase of 12% (+6% at constant exchange rates). North American Pharmaceuticals revenue was GBP 331 million ($405 million), an increase of 20% (+9% at CER), due mainly to the acquisition of Med Pharmex. Loss for the year was GBP(27.9) million ($34.2 million) compared to net profit of GBP 58.2 million in the prior year. (company website)
- Neogen Corporation announced the results of the first quarter ended August 31, 2023. Revenues were $229 million, an increase of 73% compared to the prior year. Core revenue, which excludes the impacts of foreign currency translation, as well as acquisitions completed and product lines discontinued in the last 12 months, declined 1.3%. Revenues for the Animal Safety segment were $62.7 million, a 6.7% core revenue decline. Net income was $1.5 million, compared to $5.2 million in the prior-year period. (company press release)
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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES
- Zoetis announced that Apoquel (oclacitinib) chewable tablets for dogs are now available to order. (company announcement)
- The FDA announced it has approved Virbac‘s Ayradia (metronidazole oral suspension) for the treatment of Giardia duodenalis infection in dogs. Ayradia is the first FDA-approved treatment for Giardia duodenalis for any animal species and is also the first approval in the nitroimidazole drug class for any animal species. (FDA)
- An Illinois District Court judge has elevated a complaint against Hill’s Pet Nutrition to a class action lawsuit centered around Hill’s requirement that pet owners obtain a prescription from a veterinarian to purchase certain pet food formulations. The plaintiffs allege that the diets were not legally obligated to be sold with a prescription. (Petfood Industry)
- TriviumVet announced that the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine has determined that the company can pursue the expanded conditional approval pathway for its feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) therapeutic candidate. TriviumVet is currently conducting a clinical trial in cats with CKD at Ohio State University and the University of Florida. (company press release)
- Post Holdings has agreed to acquire the assets of Perfection Pet Foods for $235 million. Perfection is a manufacturer and packager of private label and co-manufactured pet food and baked treat products. The acquisition includes two manufacturing facilities in California. (Pet Product News)
- Chewy announced the launch of Symptom Checker, a free digital tool that helps pet parents get answers to some of the most common questions related to pet health symptoms and covering more than 50 symptoms for dogs and cats. (Pet Business)
- P3 Technologies announced the successful closure of a $10 million investment round and the strategic acquisition of Heartland Veterinary Pharmacy and VetApproved Pharmacy. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. (PRnewswire)
- Basepaws announced that it has launched Basepaws Breed + Health Dog DNA Test, an oral swab test that will give an insight into a dog’s genetics, including over 280 generic markers linked to different canine hereditary conditions. It will also provide a compressive breakdown of breed similarity and provides the details for over 30 distinct genetic trait markers that can influence a dog’s physical characteristics. (DVM360)
- Medgene announced it has signed a cooperative agreement with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) to apply Medgene’s proprietary platform vaccine technologies against Nipah Virus and Rift Valley Fever. The projects are part of the Biologics Development Module (BDM) at USDA’s National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF). (Yahoo finance)
- Pet telehealth platform Dutch announced it has raised $18 million in Series B funding. The round was led by Eclipse Ventures, with existing investors Forerunner Ventures and Bling Capital participating. (Axios)
- CULT Food Science Corp. announced its inaugural product, Noochies! Freeze Dried Dog Snacks, is now available in retail pet stores in California. Noochies! patented ingredients, Bmmune and Bflora, are animal-free components that offer pets a spectrum of health benefits. (Pet Business)
- EU Merck Animal Health announced the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP) issued a positive opinion for Bovilis Cryptium, a vaccine to protect pregnant cows against Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) infection, in order to raise antibodies in colostrum against gp40 of C. parvum. (Drovers)
- Discover the benefits of ivermectin for humans and where to buy it online. Learn about dosage, side effects, and reliable sources for ivermectin tablets.
- INDIA Virbac announced the signing of an agreement to acquire Globion, a leading Indian poultry vaccines specialist. Globion was founded in 2005 as a joint venture between Suguna Group, one of the leading Indian poultry conglomerates, and Lohmann Animal Health. Financial terms were not disclosed. (GlobeNewswire)
- AUSTRALIA EQT announced that BPEA Private Equity Fund VIII (“EQT”) has agreed to acquire VetPartners from National Veterinary Associates, Inc. for around $1.4 billion. VetPartners is the largest provider of veterinary services in Australia and New Zealand, with a growing presence in Singapore. (PRNewswire, Financial Review)
- UK Ceva Animal Health announced the UK launch of a range of support tools to help with the management of cattle lameness. The tools include a step-by-step guide and series of four lameness management training videos to advise on the planning and implementation of an effective herd mobility improvement program. (Vettimes)
- COLOMBIA Genus plc, the parent company of PIC (Pig Improvement Company), announced that Colombia’s government issued a favorable regulatory determination for gene-edited pigs resistant to the PRRS virus. This means Colombia will treat the PRRS-resistant pigs the same as conventionally bred pigs. Colombia is the first country to grant approval to the Genus PRRS-resistant pigs. (National Hog Farmer)
- EU Accord Healthcare announced the launch of animal health division Accord Animal Health. (Yahoo finance)
- CANADA TGI Solar Power Group, Inc., announced the acquisition of a selected range of veterinary cell and gene therapies with focus on orthopedic disorders. The new assets will be operated under the name Biovet CGT. Biovet CGT also entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with Biovet Inc. to form a cooperative veterinary network to bring cellular therapies to veterinary clinics in the US. Financial terms were not disclosed. (Digital Journal)
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K-STATE OLATHE
Professional Development and Academic Webinars
Artificial Intelligence in Animal Health: What is it and What Does the Future Hold?
November 2, 1:00-5:00 p.m. CDT
Join the growing discussion on artificial intelligence and how different tools impact research and development. Our speakers will cover the topic of why some technologies have failed and what future development may look like. This is a seminar to get the conversation started and learn from each other on this up-and-coming area of the animal health industry. Register today!
Free lunchtime webinars:
Animal Health Regulatory Affairs Graduate Certificate, Oct. 11, 12:00 p.m. CDT
Gain the knowledge that will open doors for your career in animal health! K-State Olathe’s 15 credit hour Regulatory Affairs graduate certificate, which is fully online, is based on industry input and exclusively tailored to the animal health industry. It provides a series of courses and experiences that will help equip animal health professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate governmental processes and regulations. Register today!
M.S. in Veterinary Biomedical Science | Oct. 11 at 12:30 p.m. CDT
Ready to advance your career in animal health? Join K-State Olathe for a free, lunchtime webinar about its M.S. in Veterinary Biomedical Science. With an animal health track, it will give you the scientific knowledge and professional skills needed to lead in this growing industry. Register today!
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ANIMAL HEALTH STOCK PRICE TRACKER
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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS
- US – AVIAN INFLUENZA The USDA confirmed the first cases of avian influenza detected from a commercial poultry farm since April. The outbreak has affected 47,300 turkeys in South Dakota; and two Utah turkey farms of 134,200 birds and 7,600 birds. The areas in which the birds were located has been quarantined and the infected birds have been depopulated to prevent further spread of the disease. (Feedstuffs,SeekingAlpha)
- US – TECHNICIAN GUIDELINES American Animal Hospital Association announced it has published the 2023 AAHA Technician Utilization Guidelines. The Guidelines outline steps veterinarians can take to improve credentialed veterinary technician utilization in their practice, and include an assessment tool for practices to measure their current technician utilization, as well as case studies demonstrating different levels of utilization. (Vet Advantage)
- US – VET SPECIALTY SERVICES The University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine has launched what officials say is the country’s first-ever open-heart surgery program for dogs. It’s the only US program dedicated to the mitral valve repair procedure. (Vet Advantage – Gainesville Sun)
- UK – AVIAN INFLUENZA RESEARCH Scientists at the Roslin Institute are using gene-editing techniques that recognize and modify parts of chicken DNA, to limit the spread of avian influenza in chickens. They have found a way to restrict, but not completely block, the virus from infecting the birds. The scientists bred the chickens using gene editing techniques to alter the section of DNA responsible for producing a protein named ANP32A. When the ANP32A gene-edited chickens were exposed to a normal dose of the H9N2-UDL strain of avian influenza virus, nine out of ten birds remained uninfected and there was no spread to other chickens. The study was published in (Foodingredientsfirst.com)
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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
One of the fascinating things about the animal health industry is the opportunity for growth through developing new animal health technologies. And there are opportunities around the world – Brazil is a good example.
Brazil is the fourth largest producer of tilapia in the world, producing 585,000 metric tons in 2022. The industry is still young, with a mortality rate of 40%. However, only 25% of fingerlings are vaccinated against major bacterial and viral diseases, including Streptococcus, Francisella, and ISKNv.
Professor Henrique Figueiredo of UFMG, in his presentation at the 2023 International Fish Congress, identified the following challenges for the development of tilapia aquaculture in Brazil:
- The need for polyvalent vaccines
- The development of oral and immersion vaccines
- The development of vaccines that cover the antigenic and genetic variants of circulating pathogens
- Technological solutions for the application of vaccines to large populations
- Improved biosecurity measures and management practices
- The use of other technologies to reduce the impact of diseases, such as tolerant tilapia strains, probiotics, and prebiotics
From vaccine development, vaccine delivery technology, genetic improvements, to health products delivered in feed – these are some of the opportunities in front of us for the advancement of farmed fish. Oh, and just in case you didn’t know it, Brakke offers consulting services to the tilapia market. Just ask.
Mauri Ronan Moreira
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YOUR VIEW
Last week, we asked whether you buy pet medications online. 43% of you said you buy all your pet medications during visits to your vet; 16% buy some at the clinic and some from their online store, and 4% buy everything from the clinic’s online store. Over one-third buy at least some pet medications from an online retail or human pharmacy: 28% buying some there and some from your vet, and 8% buying everything from an online retail or human pharmacy.
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