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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for June 13, 2025
Copyright © Brakke Consulting
Editor: Lynn Fondon DVM MBA
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IN THE NEWS:
Brakke Consulting News
Dr. Chuck Johnson joins Brakke Team
Earnings News
Chewy
J.M. Smucker
Petco
Other News
AB Science
Advent
Boehringer Ingelheim
COVE Animal Health
Dutch
Eko Health
Felix Pharmaceuticals
Graf Barf
Merck
MUSE Veterinary Digital Pathology
Nutramax Laboratories
The Nutriment Company
Optiscan Imaging
PetVivo
Pieper Veterinary
Wedgewood Pharmacy
Zoetis
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Brakke Consulting
Chuck Johnson Joins Brakke Team
Brakke Consulting is pleased to announce that Dr. Charles (Chuck) Johnson has joined the firm. A veterinarian and seasoned business leader, Dr. Johnson began his career as an equine practitioner and practice owner, specializing in Thoroughbred and Sport Horse care. He earned his DVM and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Florida and later completed an executive MBA at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, focusing on Strategy and Marketing.
He transitioned to the animal health industry, taking on leadership roles at Ceva Animal Health in U.S. Commercial operations, Pharmacovigilance, and Global Innovation. Most recently, he served as Senior Director of Corporate Alliances for North and Latin America.
At Brakke, Chuck brings his combined clinical and corporate expertise to drive innovation, business development, and strategic growth. He serves on the executive board of the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine and actively participates in key industry organizations, including AVMA, AAEP, and HABRI.
Chuck can be reached at cjohnson@brakkeconsulting.com.
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EARNINGS NEWS RELEASES
- Chewy, Inc. reported its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 ended May 4, 2025. Net sales were $3.12 billion, an increase of 8% year over year. Net income was $62.4 million, a decline of 7%. (company press release)
- Petco Health and Wellness Company, announced results for its first quarter 2025 ended May 3. Net sales of $1.5 billion decreased 2.3% year over year. GAAP net loss was $(11.7) million compared to a net loss of $(46.4) million in the prior-year quarter. (seekingalpha)
- The M. Smucker Co. announced results for its fiscal year ending April 30, 2025. U.S. Retail Pet Foods sales for the year were $1,664 million, a decline of 9%. Segment profit was $459.6 million, an increase of 14%. (seekingalpha)
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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES
- Zoetis announced the launch of AI Masses, the newest addition to the Vetscan Imagyst analyzer. By leveraging advanced deep learning algorithms, AI Masses identifies and classifies common skin/subcutaneous masses and lymph node lesions. (company website)
- Boehringer Ingelheim and Eko Health, a pioneer in applying artificial intelligence (AI) for early detection of heart and lung diseases, have entered a strategic collaboration agreement that aims to enhance the early detection and diagnosis of heart disease in dogs. A canine-specific detection algorithm will be made available to veterinarians through a purpose-built Eko mobile app launching in 2026. (company press release)
- PE firm Advent announced it is investing $175 million via primary and secondary for a significant minority stake in Felix Pharmaceuticals. (com)
- Wedgewood Pharmacy announced the availability of a GS-441524 formula, a compounded oral antiviral formulation now part of its feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) treatment capabilities. With this addition, veterinarians can now prescribe both GS-441524 and Molnupiravir for their patients with FIP. (businesswire)
- Nutramax Laboratories announced the launch of Filaquin Anal Gland Supplement. Filaquin contains NMXFBR4, a proprietary blend of yeast extract, apple fiber, yeast culture (postbiotic), and psyllium husk fiber to support normal stool consistency and digestive health. (company announcement)
- PetVivo Holdings, Inc. announced a strategic collaboration with Commonwealth, the syndicated ownership group behind 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage, and 2022 Dubai World Cup Champion Country Grammer. Commonwealth intends to integrate SPRYNG and PrecisePRP, when possible, into the care protocols of its top-tier thoroughbred stable. PetVivo and Commonwealth will also explore co-branded content, educational initiatives, and industry outreach designed to elevate awareness around joint wellness and support broader adoption of SPRYNG and PrecisePRP across the equine health community. (globenewswire)
- MUSE Microscopy, Inc. announced the formation of MUSE Veterinary Digital Pathology, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary. The new service will provide same-day results for tissue biopsies. (com)
- Pieper Veterinary announced that it has rebranded as COVE Animal Health, reflecting its growth into a multi-state network of hospitals. With strong roots in the Northeast, COVE – which stands for Community of Veterinary Entrepreneurs – brings together primary care, emergency, and specialty teams to create regional hospital systems . (yahoo finance)
- Virtual veterinary care provider Dutch announced a new generation of proprietary AI tools that automate, and intelligently improve, veterinary workflows. The tools are built into Dutch’s electronic medical record (EMR) and leverage models from OpenAI and Google Gemini. (businesswire)
- EU Merck Animal Health announced that the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP) issued a positive opinion for Numelvi (atinvicitinib) Tablets for Dogs. Numelvi is a once-daily second-generation Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis including atopic dermatitis and treatment of clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis in dogs. Once approved, it will be the only JAK inhibitor that can be used in dogs as young as six months of age; and treatment with Numelvi had no impact on immune response to vaccination. (company press release)
- EU AB Science SA announced that the European Medicine Agency (EMA) has approved the extension of the shelf-life of its veterinary medicine MASIVET from 36 months to 48 months. MASIVET is currently approved for the treatment of non-resectable dog mast cell tumors (Grade 2 or 3) with confirmed mutated c-kit tyrosine kinase receptor, and is currently available in all EU countries. (globenewswire)
- AUSTRALIA Optiscan Imaging has unveiled its high-tech microscopic imaging device InSpecta, designed for use by veterinary clinics. The imaging device provides a first step for the company into the veterinary medicine market. (Sydney Morning Herald)
- GERMANY The Nutriment Company (TNC) announced the acquisition of German raw pet food company Graf Barf from the current owner CDS Hackner. Financial terms were not disclosed. (Globalpets)
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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS
- US – SCREWWORM In a formal letter to the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), R-CALF USA’s Animal Health Committee called for swift approval to add ivermectin as an oral feed-through in livestock and wildlife feeds as a precaution against the potential introduction of New World Screwworm (NWS). The organization noted that this control method has been successfully used to combat the spread of cattle fever tick. The request comes amid growing concerns over the possible northward spread of NWS into the United States. (net)
- US – POULTRY WELFARE A new gene editing platform that creates layer hens that only produce female offspring could stop male chick culling. The platform introduces genetic modifications into chickens through their “Blank Slate” surrogate chicken platform. The process involves developing surrogate chickens that can host genetically modifiable embryos, then inserting a treatment-based genetic construct to create layers that produce only female progeny within a single generation. Treated hens – known as Lady Layers – produce exclusively female offspring, while untreated birds can be bred to propagate the trait through future generations. Crucially, the pullets from treated hens are not themselves genetically modified, meaning eggs reaching consumers remain non-GMO. (AVMA SmartBrief – Watt Poultry)
- US – EXPORT MARKETS The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has been awarded $242,600 in federal funding from the USDA’s Emerging Markets Program (EMP) to help further expand U.S. animal food exports to Vietnam – a rapidly growing market for American agriculture. The funding will support ongoing business-to-business relationship building, technical assistance, and promotional efforts to advance the reach of U.S. animal food products in the Vietnamese market. (com)
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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
I recently attended the WOAH 92nd Congress in Paris, which is attended by representatives from over 150 countries along with the WOAH staff and invited guests, to review and manage the global animal health situation.
This year’s forum centered around vaccination and its benefits for not only animal health, but also the potential benefits to One Health, AMR reduction, and climate impact mitigation.
A referendum on increasing vaccine availability and usage was passed unanimously (view on the WOAH.Org website) but for its effect and impact, will require a stronger partnership between the private and public organizations involved. And most importantly, aligning potential vaccine usage with the WTO policies, which can create challenges.
Of note, during the program there was a special event where Brazil was declared FMD free without vaccination. Congratulations to Brazil for this tremendous effort as it took a multi-stakeholder effort by the livestock industry, animal health companies and government support to achieve this result.
On another note, I would like to also congratulate Ceva on its recent round of financing, resulting in a new valuation of nearly $10B USD. It’s an incredible story of growth through the years led by Dr. Marc Prikazsky, but also congratulations to many of my friends who also worked there and certainly were a big reason for the success! Maybe it will be the next publicly traded animal health company?
In my view, tremendous value creation is happing in animal health which offers not only growth- but consistent, sustainable growth. Nice to see the investment community interest is following!
Paul Casady
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YOUR VIEW
Last week, we asked what is most important to you when it comes to purchasing products online for delivery to your home. Most of you – 62% – said that cost of delivery is #1. Another 19% said flexibility and ease of returns. 12% said speed of delivery, and 5% or less said transparency of shipping, environmentally sustainable options, consolidated shipments, choice of delivery location, or guaranteed delivery date for out-of-stock items..
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