Sanofi-Aventis Pulls Trigger On Merial DealMarch 10, 2010 Sanofi-Aventis of Paris, France, exercised its option to combine its Merial animal health business with Intervet/Schering-Plough, Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based Merck’s animal health business, forming a new, much larger joint venture with once and future partner Merck. Executives for the companies contend that the combined entity would be better able to bring new drugs to market, both for production and perhaps especially companion animals. “In addition to protecting their pets from parasites, more and more pet owners find themselves confronting other chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, arthritis and CNS disorders that affect their pets,” said Richard Clark, Merck’s chairman, president and CEO. “With our combined resources, we can bring new treatments to improve and lengthen pet lives.” The companies also expect to benefit from growth in emerging economies, which they expect to show both in expanding middle classes and pet ownership and increased animal-protein consumption. Overall, the global animal health industry is projected to grow about 5 percent annually for the next five years, from $19.2 billion in 2008 to a forecast $24.1 billion in 2014. Merial had been a joint venture between Sanofi and Merck until Sanofi acquired Merck’s share last July to facilitate Merck’s …
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UW Veterinary Students To Host National SymposiumMarch 10, 2010 The University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine is gearing up for the SAVMA Symposium from Thursday, March 11 to Saturday, March 13. More than 1,500 students from across the United States are expected to attend the SAVMA event, which stands for Student American Veterinary Medical Association. The symposium brings together veterinary medical students to learn about the latest science and technology the profession has to offer, event organizers said. A team of college students organizes the event at Monona Terrace. It is funded by veterinarians and the veterinary industry. This year’s symposium will offer various lectures and labs that include food animal science. Highlights include keynote speaker, Christopher Olsen, associate dean for academic affairs and professor of public health at the university. His talk will discuss influenza pandemics, including the 2009-10 pandemic, as diseases at the interface of animal and human health. He will emphasize the importance of a One Health approach, integrating human and animal health, in pandemic preparedness and response. Click here for symposium information, including a schedule of events. <HOME>
AVMA Reveals Trends In Veterinary Medicine, Pet CareMarch 9, 2010 The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has revealed its most recent membership data, indicating a number of trends in veterinary medicine and pet care. For example, new data shows that veterinarians are increasingly seeking board certification as specialists, a trend that is in response to a demand for a higher level of care by pet owners. There were 9,826 active board-certified diplomates in 2009, a 15.5 percent increase in veterinary specialists from 2006, according to statistics from specialty colleges. In addition, the number of specialists in the internal medicine specialty increased by more than 11 percent in one year, from 2008 to 2009, the AVMA said. The increasing demand for veterinary specialists is something that the association had known was happening for some time, said Dr. Larry Corry, AVMA president, “but this data helps us understand and track this trend.” As the human-animal bond continues to grow, veterinarians are being asked by pet owners to provide increasingly advanced treatments, and this is driving them into specialties like internal medicine, neurology and oncology,” he said. The latest data shows that there are now 80,825 members of the AVMA, more than ever before, and that, for …
Nature’s Variety Expands Recall To Include All Raw Frozen Chicken ProductsMarch 8, 2010 Due to concerns of salmonella contamination, Nature’s Variety of Lincoln, Neb., has expanded a voluntary recall of its Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets for cats and dogs to include additional “Best If Used By” dates. In addition, out of an abundance of caution, the company has elected to clear the market of all of its raw frozen chicken products. In February, the company issued a nationwide voluntary recall on its Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet chicken medallions, patties and chubs with a “Best If Used By” date of Nov. 10, 2010, due to concerns of salmonella contamination. Additional testing has indicated that its Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet with “Best If Used By” dates of Oct. 29, 2010, and Nov. 9, 2010, may be contaminated with salmonella, the company reported. As a result, Nature’s Variety is recalling the following raw frozen products with “Best If Used By” dates of Oct. 29, 2010, and Nov. 9, 2010: UPC#7 69949 60131 9 - Chicken Formula 0.75 lb trial-sized medallions; . UPC#7 69949 60130 2 - Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions; . UPC#7 69949 60120 3 - Chicken Formula 6 lb patties;
Eli Lilly To Acquire European Rights To Pfizer Animal Health AssetsMarch 8, 2010 Elanco, the animal health division of Eli Lilly and Company, said that Lilly has signed an agreement to acquire the European rights to a portfolio of certain Pfizer Animal Health products. The products, including vaccines, parasiticides and feed additives, are used in the production animal and companion animal markets. The products are marketed by Pfizer and Wyeth’s Fort Dodge operations. Elanco also plans to acquire a manufacturing facility in Sligo, Ireland, used in the production of animal vaccines. As part of the deal, Sligo employees are offered positions with Elanco. The addition of this portfolio of products and a world-class manufacturing facility is a good fit for Elanco and positions the company well for sustained growth, said Jeff Simmons, president of Elanco. “Through this acquisition, we will expand and diversify our European presence with new market-leading products, augment our growing portfolio of companion animal medicines and acquire new biologic and vaccine capabilities,” he said. The European Commission requested that Pfizer divest these products as a result of Pfizer’s 2009 acquisition of Wyeth, including Wyeth’s Fort Dodge Animal Health business. Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly will acquire European rights to a portfolio of marketed products, …
Veterinary Symposium To Feature Wildlife Biologist Jeff CorwinMarch 5, 2010 Jeff Corwin, wildlife biologist and Emmy-winning TV host, is slated to speak at the Professional Compounding Centers of America’s three-day veterinary symposium starting Thursday, March 4 in Houston, Texas. The continuing education symposium offers a comprehensive review of veterinary compounding needs – including avian, equine, large animal, exotic/zoo animal and household pet medicine, organizers said. Speakers will cover topics ranging from veterinary dosage forms and problem solving, to the legal aspects of veterinary compounding. Corwin’s presentation, Tales from the Field, explains the goal of conservation, the practical application of ecology in conservation biology and the interaction between animals and their environment. He will also describe environmental factors affecting the animals’ ecosystems and their harmful impact, organizers said. Five additional speakers will present seminars relating to veterinary medicine. The symposium takes place at the PCCA Learning Center. For more information, call 800-331-2498. <HOME>
FDA: Consult Veterinarian Before Buying From Online Pet PharmaciesMarch 5, 2010 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urges pet owners who shop for prescription pet medicines online to make sure they remain A.W.A.R.E. of exactly what they are buying. There is no foolproof way to tell if an online pharmacy is legal, according to the FDA. To help pet owners protect their pets, the agency provides the following guidelines: A – Ask your veterinarian. Before buying online, talk with a veterinarian. Some questions the FDA suggests are: “Do you trust the internet pharmacy site?”, “Have you ever worked with the company?”, and “Have other clients used that site?” If any of the answers are “yes,” what were the veterinarian’s experiences? W- Watch for red flags. Some warning signs the FDA points out include: the site does not require veterinary prescriptions for prescription drug orders; the site has no licensed pharmacist available to answer questions; the site does not list physical business address, phone number or other contact information, the site is not U.S.-based; the site is not licensed by the State Board of Pharmacy where the business is based; the site does not protect your personal information. A – Always check for site accreditation. In …
Idexx Laboratories Reports Revenue GrowthMarch 4, 2010 Idexx Laboratories Inc. of Westbrook, Maine has reported that revenues for the fourth quarter of 2009 increased 11 percent to $270.3 million, from $243.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. Chairman and CEO Jonathan Ayers said Idexx showed a strong fourth quarter that beat expectations. “Organic revenue growth, led by our Companion Animal Group, increased modestly to 6 percent, as strong demand for certain products such as our Catalyst Dx chemistry analyzer offset continued economic weakness and soft consumer spending.” Organic revenue growth, the company said, excludes the impact of changes in currency exchange rates, which contributed about 5 percent to revenue growth, and revenue from businesses acquired or divested subsequent to the beginning of the prior year period, which had minimal impact on revenue growth. The Companion Animal Group (CAG) revenues for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $217.9 million compared to $196.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates and revenues from a recently acquired business contributed approximately 4 percent and 1 percent, respectively, to revenue growth. Organic growth of 6 percent was the result of increased sales volume, mainly in the Idexx VetLab and laboratory …
Lilly Reports Revenue Growth, Comfortis Sales StrongMarch 4, 2010 Eli Lilly and Co. reported financial growth for the fourth quarter and full year of 2009. Worldwide sales of animal health products in the fourth quarter of 2009 hit $353.1 million, an increase of 8 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2008, according to the drug maker based in Indianapolis. The company said its Comfortis (spinosad) dog flea product has contributed to a 1 percent growth in U.S. sales, to $187.7 million, mainly because of higher prices and increased sales of the product. However, that is partially offset by lower demand of other animal health products. Sales outside the U.S. increased 17 percent, to $165.5 million, driven primarily by increased demand and, to a lesser extent, the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates, the company said. For the full-year of 2009, worldwide animal health sales increased 10 percent to $1.207 billion. U.S. animal health sales for 2009 were $672.2 million; a 25 percent increase credited to the inclusion of sales from the dairy cow supplement Posilac (sometribove) acquisition made in October 2008. Animal health sales outside the U.S. were $535.0 million, a 4 percent decrease caused by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates. …
Profits Up Sharply At Iams, Flat At Hill’sMarch 4, 2010 Procter & Gamble Co. reported a sharp increase in net profit for its snack and pet food unit, which includes Iams and Eukanuba pet foods, while rival Colgate-Palmolive showed relatively flat operating profit for its Hill’s Pet Nutrition business for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2009. P&G reported net earnings for its snacks and pet care business increased 56 percent for its second quarter to $98 million, a spike driven by price increases, lower commodity costs and manufacturing cost savings. Net sales for the unit increased six percent to $835 million while volume sales edged up by 1 percent. Pet care volume for the quarter increased in the mid-single digits, boosted by product initiatives and increased promotional activity; human snacks volume declined by the low-single digits, P&G reported. “Pet care delivered solid volume growth in the mid-single digits behind the continued strength of the Iams Proactive Health, Iams Premium Protection and Eukanuba Naturally Wild initiative,” said Teri List, P&G senior vice president and treasurer during the company’s second quarter conference call with financial analysts. “P&G all outlet share of the pet nutrition business is up versus prior year and is approaching 10 percent.” Year-to-date, snack and …
