The Experts in Animal Health

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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for October 8, 2021
Copyright © Brakke Consulting
Editor: Lynn Fondon DVM MBA
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IN THE NEWS:

Other News
AB Vista
AniV8
Anpario
Avivagen
BetterVet
Boehringer Ingelheim
Elanco
Embark Veterinary
EquiTrace
Feedworks USA
Fromm Family Foods
Fulfillment Advantage Ventures
HBAN
Irrus Investments
Medgene Labs
Newport Laboratories
Pro-Vet
Pulse Veterinary Technologies
Smart Tracking Technologies
Stonehaven Incubate
Swedencare
Vaxxinova
VetPrep
Zinpro
Zoetis (facility expansion)
Zoetis (VetScan Imagyst)
Zomedica Corp

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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES

  • Zoetis announced it is supporting growing demand for its monoclonal antibodies – Cytopoint, Solensia and Librela – by increasing its production capacity in Tullamore, Ireland. The firm expects construction to commence in early 2022, with the expanded facility scheduled to become fully operational by 2025. Zoetis is also expanding its manufacturing site in Nebraska to support the global commercial reach of Librela. (IHS Markit Connect)
  • Zoetis announced the addition of digital cytology testing to the Vetscan Imagyst multi-purpose diagnostics technology platform. With this innovation, Vetscan Imagyst now employs a network of expert remote pathologists along with artificial intelligence (AI) technology for fecal testing. (DVM360)
  • Elanco Animal Health announced that it plans to carve out its microbiome research-and-development platform as it sharpens its focus on its late-stage pet-health pipeline. The company said the move would create a privately funded, independent biopharmaceutical company focused on developing solutions for animal and human health, but may retain a minority stake in the new entity. (company press release)
  • Vaxxinova announced it has acquired Newport Laboratories from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. Newport manufactures custom-made vaccines for a host of diseases in swine and cattle. The firm also provides veterinarians and livestock producers with diagnostic testing capabilities such as bacteriological culture, antibiotic susceptibility testing, serological antibody profiles, virus isolation and histopathology. Financial terms were not disclosed. (IHS Markit Connect)
  • Zomedica Corp. announced that it has acquired the Pulse Veterinary Technologies businesses for $70.9 million in an all-cash, stock transaction. Pulse Veterinary Technologies or PulseVet provides electro-hydraulic shock wave technology for the treatment of a wide variety of conditions in veterinary patients. (Nasdaq.com)
  • Zinpro announced the launch of First Line of Defense, a new brand of feed supplements designed to enhance the epithelial barrier in breeders, broilers, layers and turkeys. (IHS Markit Connect)
  • Fromm Family Foods issued a voluntary recall of about 5,500 cases of Fromm Shredded can Entrée dog food due to potentially elevated levels of Vitamin D. Affected recalled products were distributed at neighborhood pet stores nationwide. (Tristatehomepage.com)
  • Medgene Labs announced that it has received regulatory approval for its prescription vaccine platform in the US. The USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) has authorized the platform to develop swine vaccines and has also handed the company emergency use authorization for its experimental vaccine against rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2). (IHS Markit Connect)
  • Swedencare announced it has acquired Fulfillment Advantage Ventures (FAV), a US logistics company focused on the pet e-commerce sector for $4.75 million, including a $2.85 million cash amount and the issuance of 111,553 shares in Swedencare worth $1.9 million. FAV generated $2.8 million in sales in the 12 months from September 2020 to August 2021, with its own direct-to-consumer brands generating $1.3 million.(IHS Markit Connect)
  • Butterfly Network, Inc. announced the launch of the new Butterfly iQ+ Vet second-generation ultrasound. (company press release)
  • Feedworks USA announced the launch of Agolin Ruminant, a plant-based feed additive that the company says is the first product certified by the Carbon Trust to improve feed efficiency and reduce enteric methane, to the US dairy industry. (Feedstuffs)
  • Embark Veterinary, Inc., announced the launch of its DNA Test for Purebred Dogs. The kit offers purebred owners unique, actionable health information that will help determine diagnostic, monitoring, and treatment plans that can easily be shared with a vet. (Wagmtv.com)
  • AB Vista and Avivagen announced they have entered into a supply agreement with AB Vista. AB Vista will become the exclusive distribution partner for OxC-beta for poultry, swine, ruminants (dairy and beef) and aquaculture uses in the US, Brazil and Thailand. (company press release)
  • Mobile veterinary startup, BetterVet, announced launches into new markets in San Francisco and Seattle. BetterVet is currently available in the Greater Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Denver, Austin, Palm Beach and Broward areas. (nbc29.com)
  • Smart Tracking Technologies introduced its new Link pet wearable to Chewy’s online platform. The wearable device features GPS tracking, temperature alerts, vibration and tone training controls, reminders, access to veterinary records, and custom activity monitoring and analysis. It can be customized to set a safe zone for companion animals to roam in. (IHS Markit Connect)
  • EquiTrace – a unique app for horses that combines identity, GPS and medical records data using a scanner, a microchip and a mobile phone – announced it has secured funding of EUR 1.25 million from HBAN and Enterprise Ireland to grow the company and focus on global expansion. (company press release)
  • AniV8, a developer of clinical sensor technology to diagnose and monitor diseases affecting companion animals, announced the completion of its pre-seed funding round, which closed significantly above its original target. The pre-seed funding round was supported by investors including Irrus Investments; Pro-Vet; and Stonehaven Incubate. (company press release)
  • Dalan Animal Health, Inc., a biotech company developing vaccines for new age production animals, announced it has closed funding for a $1.9 million seed round. This funding accelerates the company’s development and commercial activities for the launch of a breakthrough honeybee vaccine targeting American Foulbrood, a highly contagious disease threatening beehives worldwide. (PRNewswire)
  • VetPrep, a provider of exam preparation for veterinary students, announced Vetcetera, an online community specifically designed for veterinarians to advance their practices and careers through education. Through a membership, veterinary professionals will gain access to the RACE-approved continuing education through a mix of live webinars and on-demand videos. (PRNewswire)
  • UK Anpario announced the launch of Optomega Algae, an omega-3 fatty acid supplement in the form of a dry, free-flowing powder. Optomega Algae has been developed for use in all species but is targeted at breeding animals and producers supplying enriched meat, milk and eggs containing higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids.  (IHS Markit Connect)

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ANIMAL HEALTH STOCK PRICE TRACKER

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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS

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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
A term we hear a lot today is “The Great Resignation.”  Bureau of Labor Statistics data show it is real.  In its JOLTS (Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey) research, “Quits” are at an all-time high (see chart).  Quits are voluntary, non-retirement, separation of individuals from their employment.

There are probably three main reasons:  (1) there are a lot of job openings right now; (2) many people thoughtfully re-evaluated their career path during the COVID pandemic; and (3) the work-from-home models predominant during the pandemic loosened the bonds between employers and employees.

We saw this reflected in our newsletter poll a couple of weeks ago when respondents reported less team cohesion now than prior to the pandemic.  Having employees leaving in larger numbers is disruptive. Yet today it’s a seller’s market for Labor.  As a result, employers and employees are going to have to re-think their relationship to maximize both opportunity and continuity. That will be more challenging as teams spend less time together.

John Volk
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YOUR VIEW

Last week we asked, How do you see your team’s working conditions in the next 12 to 18 months?  More than half of respondents said their company would implement a hybrid remote and in-person style of work.  About 30% said they would continue to work in 2022 as they have in 2021.  Less than 10% said they would revert to pre-pandemic working conditions.  A similar small percentage said they would leave it up to employees to choose in-person or remote work.

This week

This week, we want to know if The Great Resignation is impacting you:  Has job turnover impacted your organization, and you personally?

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