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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for April 10, 2020
Copyright © Brakke Consulting
Editor: Lynn Fondon DVM MBA
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IN THE NEWS:
Earnings News
Boehringer Ingelheim
ImmuCell Corporation
Other News
Bayer
Elanco
GeneQuine Biotherapeutics
Medici
Neogen
Penn Veterinary Supply
Performance Livestock Analytics
SwineTech
VetNOW
Zoetis (Performance Livestock Analytics)
Zoetis (Clarifide)
Zomedica
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COMPANY EARNINGS RELEASES
- Boehringer Ingelheim reported results for the full year 2019. Total Animal Health sales were EUR 4.03 billion ($4.38 billion) in 2019, an increase of 2% compared to 2018. US turnover was EUR 1.77 billion ($1.92 billion), an increase of 9% year-over-year. (Animal Pharm)
- ImmuCell Corporation announced preliminary, unaudited product sales results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020. Total product sales were approximately $4.9 million, an increase of 11% compared to the first quarter of 2019. (company press release)
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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES
- Zoetis announced the acquisition of Performance Livestock Analytics, a technology company that simplifies data and analytics for the livestock industry. Financial terms were not disclosed. (Feedstuffs)
- Zoetis announced the addition of new capabilities as part of its Clarifide Plus genetics test for cattle. The test can now help predict potential cow lifetime profitability for Holstein and Jersey cattle by providing insight into respiratory disease and fertility traits for cow abortion, twinning and ovarian cysts. Clarifide Plus will also include milk fever among the available cow wellness trait insights for Holsteins, a trait previously only available for Jerseys. (Animal Pharm)
- Elanco and VetNOW announced a collaboration providing veterinarians with two free months of access to VetNOW’s VCPR-compliant telemedicine platform so they can maintain service to animals and owners, including specialist consultations. (company press release)
- Bayer Animal Health announced that the FDA has granted a conditional approval for Baytril 100-CA1 (enrofloxacin) Injectable Solution for the treatment of clinical anaplasmosis in cattle. The product will be available to veterinarians and cattle producers in May 2020. (company press release)
- Neogen Corporation announced that the EPA has expedited the approval of its Synergize and COMPANION disinfectants to fight the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. (company press release)
- Zomedica Pharmaceuticals announced the pricing of its previously announced public offering of 33,333,334 common shares and warrants to purchase up to 16,666,667 common shares. The securities are being sold in a fixed combination consisting of one common share and 0.5 of a warrant at a combined public offering price of $0.12 per share and accompanying warrant. The gross proceeds are expected to be approximately $4.0 million, before deducting fees and expenses. (company press release)
- Penn Veterinary Supply announced a new partnership with Medici to market Medici’s telemedicine platform. (Vet Advantage)
- SwineTech announced it has completed a $5 million Series A round of financing led by Innova Memphis. These funds will help the company aggressively expand its sales and marketing efforts, as well as broaden and accelerate product development of its farrowing management platform. (National Hog Farmer)
- GERMANY GeneQuine Biotherapeutics announced it has been granted a European patent for its lead gene therapy candidate. The patent covers GQ-303 treatment for osteoarthritis in humans and its veterinary analogs GQ-302 and GQ-301 in dogs and horses, respectively. (Animal Pharm)
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ANIMAL HEALTH STOCK PRICE TRACKER
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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS
- US – FDA GUIDANCE – The FDA is aware that the COVID-19 pandemic may have an impact on ongoing studies being conducted to support new animal drug development. To help minimize the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on new animal drug development, the FDA has issued guidance with recommendations for sponsors conducting ongoing studies to support new animal drug development. For more information, click here. (FDA)
- AUSTRALIA – COVID-19 A new research report from Monash University in Australia has found that a single dose of ivermectin could stop SARS-CoV-2 growing in cell culture, effectively eradicating all genetic material of the virus within two days. Ivermectin is approved for use in both humans and animals as a broad spectrum antiparasiticide. The research was published in Antiviral Research. To read the paper, click here. (Animal Pharm)
- US – COVID-19 The USDA confirmed the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in a tiger at New York’s Bronx Zoo that was showing clinical signs of respiratory illness. It is believed the animal contracted the illness from a zoo employee who was actively shedding the virus. There have been no reports of pets or livestock becoming ill with COVID-19 in the US, and only four reported cases in the world of dogs and cats testing positive for the virus. At this point in time, there is no evidence that domestic animals, including pets and livestock, can spread COVID-19 to people. However, the AVMA reaffirmed its recommendation that, out of “an abundance of caution,” those infected with COVID-19 should restrict contact with animals, just as they would humans, until more is known about the virus.(Veterinary Practice News)
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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
When threatened by a variety of stimuli, humans go about securing an adequate, or frequently more than adequate supply of food and other items considered necessities. It is observed in rapidly changing weather when pre-storm grocery carts are overflowing. We now know it is also a part of pandemic behavior. Perhaps it is a part of the survival instinct that has kept the species going and keeps us from going without.
This past week, unfortunately, several accounts of a significant number of COVID-19 cases among workers in the meat processing industry have resulted in some plant closings and slowdowns. While certainly not a tipping point, it is a reminder that the food chain is vulnerable and that COVID-19 cases are not limited to urban areas.
We are moving through a period in time when we are developing a greater appreciation of many things taken for granted in the past. It is a reminder for us to give a “hats off” to all of those in the food supply chain, many of whom are animal health customers, who at their own peril are keeping us fed as we shelter.
Cary Christensen
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YOUR VIEW
It becomes more real when it affects someone close to you. Last week we asked: Have you or someone you know on a first-name basis- family, friend, business associated- been diagnosed with COVID-19? Thirty- five percent of respondents have said yes, someone they knew had been diagnosed with COVID-19.
The pandemic is accelerated change in the way we obtain many of the products that we use in our homes. This week’s question:
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