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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for December 29, 2011
Copyright © Brakke Consulting, Inc.
Editor: Lynn Fondon, DVM MBA
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IN THE NEWS:
Brakke news
2012 Overview registration
earnings news
Neogen
other news
Abaxis (feline heartworm)
Abaxis (Lyme disease)
Avivagen
Bioheart
Bioniche
MedTrade
Mueller Medical
NDI
Stemlogix
Vet-Stem
Virbac
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COMPANY EARNINGS RELEASES
> Neogen Corporation announced results for the second quarter of FY 2012 ended Nov. 30. Revenues increased 2% from the previous year’s second quarter to $45 million. Net income for the quarter was $5.2 million, a decline of 15% compared to the prior year’s second quarter. Neogen’s Animal Safety Division revenues increased to $22.8 million from $22.6 million in the same period last year (company press release)
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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES
> The FDA reported it has approved Virbac’s treatment for canine ear infections, Easotic. The prescription-only product contains hydrocortisone, miconazole and gentamycin. (Animal Pharm)
> Bioniche Animal Health announced that it has entered into two distribution agreements to expand its product offerings in North America. The first agreement is with MedTrade Products, which will provide a number of equine and companion animal health products based on its Celox (chitosan) woundcare technology for exclusive distribution by Bioniche in Canada. The second agreement is with Mueller Medical International, giving Bioniche an exclusive license to distribute Equine Gastrafate in Canada and the US. Equine Gastrafate is a patented saccharide composition that is used by equine veterinarians who suspect ulcer colic in horses. (Animal Pharm)
> Abaxis, Inc. announced the addition of a feline heartworm rapid test to their growing rapid diagnostics product line. The USDA has now approved the use of the Abaxis VetScan Canine Heartworm Antigen Test for feline applications. (PRNewswire)
> Abaxis Veterinary Reference Laboratories announced the development of a quantitative antibody test for canine Lyme disease. The new test possesses the ability of differentiating an active Lyme infection from immunity based on vaccination and provides proper diagnosis required for a reference laboratory-performed confirmation test. (Zacks.com)
> NDI announced the introduction of GaitCheck, a wireless portable device that analyzes the gait of a trotting horse. GaitCheck produces two gait scores that are used to determine whether the gait is normal or whether there is an indication of potential lameness in either the front or hind limbs. GaitCheck was independently tested by the McPhail Equine Performance Center at Michigan State University. (Business Wire)
> Bioheart, Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement with Stemlogix, LLC to provide additional cellular products and services to the veterinary market. Under the agreement, the companies will offer culture expanded bone marrow and adipose stem cells for use in animals with degenerative diseases or acute injuries. In addition, veterinary patients will have the option to bank their stem cells for future use. (Globe Newswire)
> CANADA Chemaphor Inc. announced a mutual agreement with Vet-Stem Inc. to terminate the license issued by Vet-Stem to Chemaphor’s wholly owned subsidiary, Avivagen Animal Health Inc., for the conduct of VetStem RC regenerative cell therapy in companion animals in Canada, in order to focus the company’s resources exclusively on the international growth opportunities presented by Chemaphor’s OxC-beta technology. (MarketWire)
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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS
> HONG KONG – AVIAN INFLUENZA Hong Kong culled 17,000 chickens after three birds were confirmed to have died from the H5N1 avian influenza. The government has banned imports and the sale of live chickens for three weeks. Two wild birds were also found to have died of the virus. The government said it was tracing the source of the chicken carcass, but it was not clear whether the chicken came from a local farm or was imported. (BBC News)
> US – HOG SLAUGHTER LEGISLATION The US Supreme Court justices will decide whether California law can prevent the slaughter of non-ambulatory swine within the state. In National Meat Association v. Harris, the meat industry organization is fighting legislation passed in January 2008 that requires immediate euthanasia of any non-ambulatory animal at a federally inspected slaughterhouse. The federal government is supporting the industry’s appeal. The association argued that federal regulations govern handling of fatigued and stressed swine, which are usually able to stand and walk after rest and supervision and are not disabled because of disease. While the US District Court judge issued in February 2009 a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the law at swine slaughterhouses, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the ruling in March 2010. (Vet Advantage, JAVMA)
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BRAKKE CONSULTING, INC.
REGISTER NOW FOR INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Brakke Consulting will present the 2012 US Animal Health Industry Overview twice this winter – once at the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, Florida and once at the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. These dates are:
• NAVC: Monday, January 16th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at the Gaylord Palms.
• WVC: Tuesday, February 21st from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at the Four Seasons.
Registration for the Industry Overview at the NAVC and WVC is now open. To register go to www.brakkeconsulting.com and scroll down to the “What’s New” box. The price is $375 per person for online registration; late registration is $425.
www.BrakkeConsulting.com
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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
We at Brakke Consulting wish all of you a happy and prosperous new year.
Ron Brakke
Joel Adamson
Ken Berkholtz
Ray Collier
Lynn Fondon
Atsuo Hata
Jessica Lee
Jay Lockhart
John Mannhaupt
Susan Mannhaupt
Richard Miles
Jane Morgan
Kevin Scott
John Volk
Susan Warren
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