Bayer, NeuroCycle partner to advance pet allergy treatmentsSeptember 18, 2018Bayer Animal Health and NeuroCycle Therapeutics Inc. have signed a global license agreement to advance allergy treatment options for companion animals. As part of the license agreement, Bayer will develop and commercialize novel compounds based on NeuroCycle's intellectual property. "[This] agreement underlines our strategy to combine the know-how from creative startup companies like NeuroCycle with opportunities derived from Bayer's research," said Douglas Hutchens, DVM, PhD, Bayer Animal Health's head of drug discovery, external innovation and chief veterinary officer. "It is a major milestone on our way to complementing our portfolio with novel treatment options against allergic diseases for the companion animal sector." The companies' goal is to maximize the humanitarian impact of their innovative technologies, according to Jed Hubbs, PhD, MS, CEO of NeuroCycle Therapeutics.
SPONSORED CONTENTOne dose protects for 12 months.One ProHeart® 12 (moxidectin) injection puts compliance in your control. + Get started
Cytopoint now approved to treat canine allergic dermatitisSeptember 17, 2018Zoetis announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted an expanded indication for Cytopoint, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy for the treatment of allergic dermatitis in dogs. Administered every four to eight weeks, one injection of Cytopoint works by targeting and neutralizing interleukin-31 (IL-31), a key protein involved in triggering itch in dogs, offering both convenience and sustained efficacy, according to Zoetis. "This approval gives veterinarians much-needed flexibility for personalized treatment of allergic and atopic dermatitis in dogs with two therapeutic approaches—the injectable Cytopoint and the oral tablet Apoquel," said Thomas P. Lewis II, DVM, DACVD, of Dermatology for Animals in Gilbert, Ariz. "Allergic dogs and their owners have a variety of needs, and these medications from Zoetis can bring fast and long-lasting relief to my canine allergy patients, as well as bring peace of mind to their owners." Apoquel (oclacitinib tablet) is formulated to start relieving itch within four hours and provides veterinarians with the flexibility to start and stop itch control, according to Zoetis. Cytopoint begins to relieve itch within 24 hours and provides sustained itch relief for four to eight weeks, giving the skin time to heal, the company stated. They may …
Probiotic subject of two new clinical trials in domestic dogsSeptember 14, 2018ExeGi Pharma announced two new clinical partnerships with the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Tennessee to study the company's Visbiome Vet probiotic in domestic dogs. Both studies will evaluate the probiotic's effectiveness in managing canine gastrointestinal disorders. Visbiome Vet is an eight-strain probiotic compound with a high concentration of beneficial bacteria (112.5 billion bacteria per dose); the product has been the subject of four controlled clinical trials thus far. The University of Georgia will research effects of the product on diarrhea levels in dogs postsurgery. The placebo-controlled study will evaluate the incidence and severity of diarrhea, as well as changes to the canine microbiome. The second study, conducted by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, will evaluate reduction of severe diarrhea in canine acute gastroenteritis after consumption of Visbiome Vet. This placebo-controlled study will compare the safety and efficacy of Visbiome Vet to dietary changes with a specifically formulated medical diet, or antibiotics (metronidazole). "Gastrointestinal disorders are a common cause for pet owners to seek the medical care of a veterinarian," said Al Jergens, DVM, PhD. "Modulating the gut microbiome with high potency probiotics may prove to be a …
Thirteen dogs win Walkin' Pets calendar contest supporting disabled petsSeptember 13, 2018The 2019 Walkin' Pets worldwide calendar contest has announced 13 winners from around the world. This year, the winning dogs hail from eight countries: Thailand, Brazil, Germany, England, United States, Mexico, Italy, and Wales. The champions were selected by popular vote on the Walkin' Pets Facebook page and were announced through a video by the company. The winning dogs range in age from 1 to 11 and are of all sizes and breeds, including a dachshund, a German shepherd, a Siberian husky, French bulldog, and more. Each year, the contest features pets using Walkin' Wheels wheelchairs to help raise awareness of options for disabled pets with mobility challenges. The 2019 calendar is available for pre-order at (888) 253-0777. All proceeds from calendar sales go to the Handicapped Pets Foundation.
California to test pilot program for injured police dogsSeptember 13, 2018California Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 1776 on Sept. 6, establishing a pilot program that would authorize medical technicians to provide emergency, ground-based transportation to a veterinary facility for police dogs injured in the line of duty. This bill would authorize the County of San Bernardino to work with the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency to conduct a pilot project starting Jan. 1, 2019, in which they collect specified data about the results and submit a report to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2022. As an exception, there must be no person requiring medical attention or transportation at the scene when the request is made, and the ambulance must have a policy permitting the transportation of an injured police dog. The canine handler must accompany the dog and remain in full control during transport. Additionally, the canine handler remains responsible for any first aid given to the injured police dog during transport.
Boehringer Ingelheim gives support shots for World Rabies Day 2018September 13, 2018Merial, part of Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), announced it will donate 75,000 doses of rabies vaccine to the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) in recognition of World Rabies Day on Sept. 28. The donation is a result of the Shots for Good initiative, in which BI pledged to donate doses of rabies vaccine for every dose of Purevax, Recombitek, and Imrab vaccine purchased by participating veterinary practices from July 2 to Aug. 10, 2018. The donated vaccines will support a mass dog vaccination campaign in Madagascar to control the disease and limit the potential for reintroduction of rabies from neighboring countries. "The support of our participating veterinary practices made this donation possible," said Zach Mills, DVM, executive director of BI's U.S. Pet Veterinary Professional Services. "BI understands the importance of vaccination to the overall health of pets worldwide. With more than a decade of experience advocating for rabies prevention, the Global Alliance for Rabies Control has the infrastructure to put this donation to good use." GARC will manage the campaign in Madagascar with government veterinary services and international and local nongovernmental organizations. Established protocols will be used to plot and …
20-plus clinics to participate in expanded osteosarcoma vaccine clinical trialSeptember 6, 2018Initial results of a pilot study for canine osteosarcoma vaccine are promising, prompting a larger study to test its safety and efficacy. Pharmaceutical company Aratana Therapeutics, which received conditional licensure for Live Listeria Vector (AT-014), has expanded its clinical trial to include more than two dozen veterinary oncology practice groups across the U.S. in order to receive full licensure. Conducted by the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, the pilot study tested the immunotherapy treatment in 18 dogs. Those that received the vaccine lived more than twice as long as the historical, matched control group, with median survival times of 956 days compared to 423 days. The expanded clinical trial is designed to collect additional safety data for the vaccine in dogs that have undergone amputation of the affected limb and have already completed chemotherapy. If the treatment is found to be as safe and effective as it appeared in the initial clinical trial, Aratana will be given full licensure, allowing it to make the drug commercially available. Live Listeria Vector (AT-014) is created by removing harmful genes from the Listeria bacteria and then attaching markers of osteosarcoma cells. It is designed to supplement standard osteosarcoma treatment of amputation …
Alzheimer's drug used in cognitive dysfunction syndrome clinical trialSeptember 5, 2018Ropesalazine, a drug candidate for Alzheimer's disease (AD), has shown efficacy in a pilot clinical trial conducted for dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), according to the drug's manufacturer, South Korea-based GNT Pharma. There currently is no cure for CDS, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of senior dogs characterized by altered interaction with family, disorientation, sleep/wake cycle changes, increased house soiling, and activity change. It is accompanied by nerve cell death, amyloid plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles similar to AD, leading GNT Pharma scientists to design the pilot study to investigate whether Ropesalazine would alleviate signs of CDS, as well. "The companion dogs failed to recognize their owners before the treatment," said Jae Bong Moon, DVM, head of Irion Animal Hospital in Seoul, who led the study. "It was so amazing to see the dogs that wagged their tails for their owners and cuddled up to them within eight weeks of Ropesalazine treatment. [It] appeared to cure CDS." The study was conducted on six companion dogs age 10 or older who revealed severe cognitive dysfunction according to canine cognitive dysfunction and canine dementia rating scales. Within eight weeks following daily oral administration of Ropesalazine, all six dogs returned …
Pet King Brands donates $240K in ear infection products to dogs in need August 30, 2018Pet King Brands Inc. has donated 12,000 bottles of Zymox Plus Advanced Otic-HC Enzymatic Ear Care Solution to assist animals suffering from ear infections and increase adoptions of rescued dogs. Ear infections, among the top health issues seen among dogs in animal shelters, rescues, humane societies, and animal sanctuaries across the U.S., can cause a myriad of symptoms, including pain, discharge, irritability, and even hearing loss if left untreated. "We receive stories all the time regarding the impact Zymox has had on pet ear health. We are also aware that shelters are overcrowded and under-funded with a large pet population suffering from painful ear infections," said Pamela K. Bosco, Pet King president. "We realized we could help on a large scale. We want pets to become more adoptable, sooner. Plus, Zymox is very easy to use, which reduces the demands on the shelter staff." Pet King Brands said it will continue helping to promote pet adoptions, reduce the number of homeless pets, and support pets in shelters through additional future donations.
Torigen Pharma wins 2018 KC Animal Health Corridor Innovation AwardAugust 30, 2018Torigen Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Farmington, Conn., company that provides personalized cancer immunotherapies to the veterinary market, has won the Innovation Award at the KC Animal Health Corridor Investment Forum in Kansas City, Mo. Torigen presented its autologous immunotherapeutic cancer vaccine, VVax-001, for dogs during the forum. The company was honored with the award and a check for $10,000. Torigen was among 12 emerging animal health companies from three countries who competed for investments in a "Shark Tank" format with more than 400 venture capital funds, investment firms, and potential partners at the 10th annual KC Animal Health Investment Forum on Aug. 21. Each company was given 10 minutes to present their ideas followed by a five-minute Q&A. Presenting companies were seeking anywhere from $500,000 to $20 million in funding and had revenue projections of $20 million within five to seven years. A national committee of agricultural and animal health experts selected the finalists. The Investment Forum in Kansas City is one of the world's only opportunities for early-and mid-stage animal health entrepreneurs to present their business plans and provide an inside look at the newest technology and innovations to potential investors. "The Global Animal Health Investment Forum is the …
