Elanco and Aratana Therapeutics finalize deal to mergeJuly 18, 2019Elanco Animal Health has acquired Aratana Therapeutics. Structured as a stock-for-stock transaction, the deal was accepted by Aratana stockholders. "Aratana's strong position in the specialty market—with its current portfolio and pipeline—complements Elanco's field presence and capitalizes on new opportunities for key existing Elanco pet therapy brands," says Jeff Simmons, president and chief executive officer of Elanco. "This deal furthers Elanco's value-generating innovation, portfolio, and productivity (IPP) strategy, while continuing to bring great value to veterinarians and pet owners." Aratana produces Galliprant, a canine NSAID for osteoarthritis for which Elanco has had the exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize since 2016. Aratana also contributes two additional products to Elanco's portfolio: Entyce, the only FDA-approved veterinary therapeutic to stimulate appetite in dogs, and Nocita, a long-acting local anesthetic that provides up to 72 hours of post-operative pain relief following certain surgeries in dogs and cats. Further, Aratana's research and development pipeline will contribute to Elanco's efforts to sustain the introduction of novel and innovative companion animal therapeutics. As a result of the acquisition, Elanco says it is forming a new commercial team dedicated to the veterinary specialty business into which the Aratana field force will transition. This specialty sales force will …
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AAFP releases educational toolkit for feline diabetesMay 22, 2019Managing and treating feline diabetes mellitus can be complicated, which is why the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) is releasing a Diabetes Educational Toolkit. A digital information source, the online toolkit provides veterinarians with the most relevant diagnostic and treatment information for diabetes mellitus, which is not always easy to diagnose. Further, veterinary professionals can access and gather information quickly via navigation tabs. Users can move directly to information focusing on diagnosis, treatment, remission strategy, troubleshooting, frequently asked questions, and client resources. According to AAFP, cats with diabetes mellitus require a customized treatment plan, including frequent reassessment and adjustments. The association notes that patient goals, finances, implementation of the treatment plan, and the patient's response are all aspects of effective treatment. "We are excited to release this digital resource to the veterinary community in hopes we can help veterinary professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of their diabetic feline patients through providing easy-to-access information that can be implemented for each cat," says Apryl Steele, DVM, president of AAFP's board of directors. "The purpose is to create more informed veterinary teams, as well as cat caregivers. This Diabetes Educational Toolkit is intended to be an on-the-ground tool for veterinary professionals …
HSVMA accepting applications for veterinary student scholarshipApril 30, 2019The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA) Compassionate Care Veterinary Student Scholarship is now open for applications. Three scholarships ($3000, $2000, and $1500) will be awarded to veterinary students who have demonstrated an interest in and commitment to animal welfare, animal rights, or animal protection in veterinary medicine. Only first-, second-, and third-year students who are enrolled in an American Veterinary Medical Association- (AVMA-) accredited veterinary school in Canada or the United States can apply. Students must provide two letters of recommendation, their transcripts, and exhibit a need for financial aid. The deadline to apply online is May 31.
Bayer, adivo to develop therapeutic antibodiesApril 17, 2019Bayer Animal Health and adivo have signed an agreement to develop therapeutic antibodies for companion animals. The collaboration may be good news for veterinary medicine. Although the use of therapeutic antibodies is not widespread, they offer a variety of healing options for diseases that still cannot be treated with current technology. "Today's agreement is another example of how we realize our innovation strategy," says Douglas Hutchens, DVM, PhD, Bayer Animal Health's head of drug discovery, external innovation and chief veterinary officer. "By combining the know-how from creative start-up companies like adivo with opportunities derived from Bayer's research, we broaden our space of therapeutic medicine options and complement our portfolio. We are constantly looking for innovative technologies enabling us to generate novel treatment options for the companion animal sector. Now, we will focus on evolving the options presented by adivo from research and development to market maturity." Under the terms of the agreement, Bayer will have access to adivo's species-specific monoclonal antibody technology, which uses an exclusive fully canine phage display library. Bayer will provide targets involved in severe animal diseases. "At adivo, we truly believe pets have a positive impact on our society," says the company's managing director, Kathrin …
Canadian RVT wins Petplan's 2019 Veterinary Nurse of the Year awardMarch 26, 2019Canadian registered veterinary technician Katie Berry was named the 2019 Veterinary Nurse of the Year at the Petplan Veterinary Awards in Orlando, Fla. When she went to the Veterinary Meeting and Expo (VMX) conference in January, Berry says she unaware she had won the award. Accepting the award was a blur she explains. "I don't know if I took a single breath. The amount of gratitude and love I felt was beyond belief." The Petplan Veterinary Awards recognize the industry's best in the U.S. and Canada. The award highlights veterinary professionals who go above and beyond to provide pets with exceptional care and clients with outstanding customer service. Berry says a co-worker nominated her for the award. According to Berry, the most fulfilling part of her job is the patients and the clients. "When I have clients I have a good relationship with, it makes this job worth it," says Berry who has been an RVT at Montgomery Village Veterinary Clinic in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, since the clinic opened in November 2017. "I love seeing my patients thriving and I like my clients knowing I am there for them when they need me." Berry believes veterinary technicians everywhere need recognition. …
VetSuccess and Fear Free team up to increase fecal testingMarch 18, 2019VetSuccess and Fear Free have partnered to create Fear Free Fecals, a reminder program designed to increase compliance for fecal testing. The program sends pet owners prescheduled reminders, which include a personalized letter, as well as a stool collection bag. Clients are then encouraged to collect their pet's sample at home and bring it in for testing. "The Fear Free Fecals program is fully automated, making it very simple and affordable for practices to be more successful in terms of profitability and patient care," says Martin Traub-Werner, VetSuccess CEO. "Practices can create positive client touch points with zero staff time." VetSuccess sends monthly performance reports showing how many reminders were sent out and how many fecal exams happened as a direct result of the program. "Partnerships like the Fear Free Fecals program with VetSuccess are crucial in helping every pet be happy and healthy," says Marty Becker, DVM, founder and CEO of Fear Free, and columnist for Veterinary Practice News Canada.
Merck Animal Health awards $5,000 scholarships to 54 studentsMarch 18, 2019Fifty-four students from around the world are each the recipient of a $5,000 scholarship thanks to Merck Animal Health. In collaboration with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), the company selected students in their second and third year of school who are pursuing careers in companion or large-animal medicine. The recipients were also chosen based on academic excellence, financial need, and leadership. "Merck Animal Health is proud to help lay a solid educational foundation for these students to excel in their future careers," says Scott Bormann, senior vice president for Merck Animal Health, North America. The winners of the 2019 Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship are: Imrul Kayes Anwar, Bangladesh Agricultural University Michael Barua, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Andrea Basque, University of Pennsylvania Kalie Beckers, Louisiana State University Robert Buntz, Colorado State University Emily Calbaum, University of Wisconsin Brittany Campbell, Purdue University Virginia Carrero, Louisiana State University Michael Congiusta, University of Minnesota Lindsay Courtney, Ohio State University Stephanie Crawford, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Brenna Daly, Tufts University Anik Das, Bangladesh Agricultural University Erin Deavours, University of Georgia Thomas Duff, University of Minnesota Peter Ellis, University of California, Davis Grace Ertle, Michigan State University Abdullah Al Fahad, …
2019 World Veterinary Day highlights the value of vaccinesMarch 12, 2019Vaccines are critical to animal health, which is why this year World Veterinary Day (WVD) is focusing on the value of vaccination. Created by the World Veterinary Association (WVA) in 2000, WVD reminds pet owners of the importance of animal care, and how veterinarians and their teams can help. According to the WVA, vaccines are an essential tool for preventive veterinary medicine, promotion of animal health and welfare, and reducing the risk of human exposure to many zoonotic pathogens. Vaccination programs can reduce the need for antimicrobials, and in turn, decreases the risk of emergent antimicrobial resistance. According to WVA and HealthforAnimals, it is vital for the global veterinary profession to educate the public, particularly animal owners and producers, about the benefits of vaccination for animal, human, and public health. This year, WVD takes place on April 27.
Trupanion donates $12,000 following veterinary conferencesFebruary 28, 2019Trupanion has donated $12,000 to three animal charities in lieu of handing out booth trinkets at recent industry events. Over the last two months, the pet insurer has donated $5 to the following nonprofits on behalf of every person that visited its booth: Greyhound Pets of America received $4,715 after the VMX conference; The Farley Foundation—which assists those struggling financially to pay for veterinary care for their pets—was given a donation of $1,505 at the end of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association's (OVMA's) conference in Toronto, Canada; and Nevada's SPCA received $5,860 at the close of WVC.
ISU to begin canine anticancer immunotherapeutic agent clinical trialsFebruary 28, 2019Iowa State University (ISU) College of Veterinary Medicine is starting a clinical study for a new canine anticancer immunotherapeutic. Produced by NovaVive, the anticancer treatment, Immunocidin, has received regulatory approval in the U.S. and Canada to treat mammary tumors. The study will observe dogs with stage I or stage II splenic hemangiosarcoma (HSA) who have undergone a splenectomy to determine the effectiveness of Immunocidin in combination with doxorubicin chemotherapy. Sixty-six dogs will participate in the trial and survival times will be monitored. "Treatment options and survival outcomes for canine HSA have remained essentially stagnant for the past two decades," said Chad Johannes, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM, oncology). "Additional therapeutic options for HSA are needed and we look forward to learning more about how immune stimulation via Immunocidin may play a role in improving outcomes for dogs." Ten oncology clinics will participate in the trial. To find one, visit bit.ly/2D56wBv and enter AAHSD004874 in the keyword search.
