Merial Gains Exclusive License For Staphylococcal VaccineJanuary 10, 2011 Centegen Inc. has granted Merial Ltd. of Duluth, Ga., an exclusive license for its staphylococcal vaccine for veterinary applications. Merial will develop and globally commercialize the CEN-102 vaccine, which is designed to reduce staphylococcal infections in ruminant animals. Specific terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but include license fees, milestone payments and tiered royalties on sales. “Staphylococci are one of the most prevalent causes of bovine mastitis that have eluded the development of effective vaccines so far,” said Frank Milward, DVM, head of Merial’s North America BioDevelopment. “We look forward to developing this vaccine further for this indication.” CEN-102 elicits potent antigen-specific T-cell and B-cell responses not present in unvaccinated animals, according to Centegen. The vaccine aims to protect against spontaneous staphylococcal infections, reduce the need for antibiotic use and significantly improve milk quality. The vaccine incorporates an antigen expressed on the cell surface throughout the entire life-cycle of all tested strains and species of staphylococci, according to the company. Centegen exclusively licensed the underlying intellectual property, in part, from the University of California, Davis. The Baltimore-based company said it will now focus on finding a development partner for human applications of the …
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Aratana Enters Animal Health Industry With $20 Million In FundingJanuary 7, 2011 Aratana Therapeutics of Kansas City, Kan., reported today that it has received $20 million in Series A financing, led by MPM Capital and Avalon Ventures. The newly-formed company will focus on developing pharmaceutical therapies for the animal health industry. “At Aratana, we will be focused on taking advancements from the human biopharmaceutical industry and applying them in new ways to treat and care for animals,” said David Rosen, DVM, president and founder of Aratana Therapeutics. Specifically, Aratana will fund, develop and manage the clinical trials and development activities necessary to achieve regulatory approval, according to the Kansas Bioscience Authority, which awarded $1 million to the start-up company. The goal is to partner these products to animal health companies “that have a meaningful presence in the relevant sector of the animal health market.” Aratana will welcome Linda Rhodes, VMD, Ph.D., as CEO in February. Previously, Dr. Rhodes was founder and vice president of clinical development at AlcheraBio, an entrepreneurial contract research organization focused on helping major animal health companies develop new drugs. “My entire career has been devoted to developing therapies for animals, and I am looking forward to continuing that work in this exciting, …
Rutgers Equine Science Center Receives $100,000 DonationJanuary 6, 2011 The Equine Science Center, a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, reported today that it received a $100,000 donation to support new initiatives, programs and better horse care through research and education. The donation was made by Karyn Malinowski, Ph.D., director of the center and professor of animal sciences. “I am extremely pleased to be able to make a gift and commitment to the Equine Science Center in recognition of research-based educational programming in the area of horse health and well-being,” Malinowski said. “The timing of this gift intentionally coincides with the university’s capital campaign and serves as a challenge to all who have benefitted from the center’s resources, including alumni, students and horse owners and equine enthusiasts worldwide. No gift is too small as it will contribute to the future sustainability of the Equine Science Center.” The center, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, has the following program focus areas: equine health and well-being, land use policy and management, environmental stewardship, integrity of equestrian sport and economic growth and industry sustainability. <Home>
NCVEI Trims Board After AAHA QuitsJanuary 6, 2011 The National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues will move to a nine-member board of directors from its previous 12, said Karen Felsted, DVM, the group’s CEO. The decision was made after the American Animal Hospital Association discontinued its membership and financial sponsorship of NCVEI in late 2010. NCVEI was formed in 2000 by AAHA, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges “to ensure the economic future of veterinary medicine.” The board had four members from each of the three founding organizations. Instead of filling four seats, the NCVEI decided to downsize the board, Dr. Felsted said. “Trends show that larger boards are being reduced to fewer members,” she said. The plan is to have three members each from the AVMA and AAVMC as well as three outside members representing the veterinary community. “The change will bring in expertise that isn’t already on our board as well as help represent the veterinary industry on a broader level,” she said. Asked whether the NCVEI was surprised by AAHA’s decision to withdraw support, Felsted said yes. “The four AAHA board members had been very supportive of NCVEI’s future …
Medication Shortages Threaten Patient CareJanuary 5, 2011 Veterinarians find themselves in an awkward position when they can’t obtain a drug a patient needs. But that’s the reality today for some practitioners, who have noticed an apparent uptick in the number of drugs reported as unavailable. Pet owners have noticed, too, and have posted complaints at VeterinaryPractice News.com, particularly in regard to Oncept, a canine melanoma vaccine made by Merial Ltd. of Duluth, Ga. “I had several canine cancer patients scheduled to Oncept receive Oncept and I couldn’t provide their therapy because I didn’t have access to the drug,” says Zachary Wright, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM (oncology), of VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital and Referral Center in Albuquerque, N.M. “I was told a shipment of the drug was held up by the Food and Drug Administration. I can’t say if this delay affected my patients’ therapy end results. It was very uncomfortable telling clients I couldn’t help their pet right in the middle of treatment.” Learn More For an up-to-date list of recalled drugs and products with delayed manufacturing, check the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website. • Here were some drugs on back order at press …
What To Expect In 2011 And BeyondJanuary 5, 2011 Back when automobiles began to replace the horse and buggy, veterinarians wondered how they would stay employed. If they could have peered into the future, to 2011, their worries would have subsided when they saw stem cells re-growing cartilage in osteoarthritic joints, tissue growing around prostheses and an array of other eye-opening breakthroughs. “Advances in veterinary medicine amaze me,” says Mike Cavanaugh, DVM, Dipl. ABVP, the executive director of the American Animal Hospital Association. Dr. Cavanaugh predicts a continuing growth in tele-medicine, saying primary care practitioners have access to specialists more readily now than ever before. “An example where telemedicine is very useful is in the area of digital imaging,” Cavanaugh says. “A board-certified vet can look at images almost instantly. It used to be that veterinary colleges were the only places veterinarians could send images to or refer clients to. Now we’re all working together as a health care team.” Experts consulted by Veterinary Practice News weighed in on other areas in which they see significant advancements coming. Nutrition Nutrition is being looked at more frequently not only to combat disease processes that have begun but to prevent them from happening altogether. …
Early Surgery Is Only Option For Some ConditionsJanuary 5, 2011 In a sudden burst of reckless Khulyesque boldness, yours truly has decided to tackle the touchy topic of pets who suffer from three chronic and frustrating diseases: megacolon, otitis and laryngeal paralysis. These diseases seemingly don’t have much in common except that we frequently see patients who have endured months to years of obstipation, chronic ear pain or suffocation without much help from medical treatment. Let’s review the facts. Idiopathic megacolon in a 10-year-old cat. Megacolon Feline idiopathic megacolon is a progressive condition that invariably leads to irreversible distension of the colon. Two-thirds of the time, we don’t know the cause of megacolon in cats, so it can be called an idiopathic functional obstruction. In some cases, the megacolon is secondary to pelvic fractures or, especially in dogs, to a tumor, i.e. a mechanical obstruction. Feces in a megacolon are rock hard and cannot conceivably go through a poor cat’s anus. Recall that one of the colon’s main functions is to reabsorb water. We can give all the cisapride, lactulose, high fiber supplements and special diets in the world, but that poop is just not coming out. It’s mechanical. Interestingly, the chapter on …
Pfizer Animal Health Acquires SynbioticsJanuary 4, 2011 Pfizer Animal Health of New York has acquired Synbiotics Corp., a Kansas City, Mo.-based developer and manufacturer of immunodiagnostic tests for companion and food production animals. The acquisition marks Pfizer Animal Health’s entry into the veterinary diagnostics sector. “By integrating animal health diagnostics with our innovative portfolio of vaccines and medicines, we can do more to help veterinarians deliver optimal care for livestock and companion animals and provide the right medicine to the right animal at the right time,” said Juan Ramon Alaix, president of Pfizer Animal Health. The move will also allow the company to expand into products for diagnostic reference laboratories and reproductive services for canine breeders, Alaix added. Synbiotics estimates that its common shareholders will be entitled to receive up to about $0.306 per share in cash in connection with acquisition, of which about $0.019 per share will be held in escrow as a fund against which Pfizer may make claims for losses arising from any breaches of Synbiotics’ representations, warranties, covenants and agreements and similar customary matters, according to Paul Hays, CEO of Synbiotics. Veterinary immunodiagnostics, a methodology using antigen-antibody reaction to detect viruses or bacteria in animals, is a …
IVet Adds Specific Brand To Its Product OfferingsJanuary 4, 2011 iVet LLC of Kansas City, Mo., has agreed to manufacture and distribute Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC’s Specific brand therapeutic diets for dogs and cats in North America. The brand has been distributed throughout Europe exclusively to veterinarians for more than 30 years where it has done very well, according to iVet Marketing Manager Dave Geier, adding that iVet has the experience and sales force to help the brand do well in North America. “We also do our own manufacturing,” Geier said. “We can make any food with any formula.” iVet also manufacturers a line of veterinary exclusive dog and cat foods for health maintenance under the iVet Professional Formulas Healthy Gourmet brand and Healthy Rewards. “We are extremely pleased with this partnership with Dechra and the addition of proven therapeutic products to our line of Health Maintenance foods,” said Eric Matson, iVet business manager. “As with our current line, we can now become an even more valuable resource for veterinarians with a cost effective solution to help manage a variety of medical conditions.” The Specific brand of therapeutic diets will be available to veterinarians in early March. <Home>
Elanco Launches Flea Control Product Just For CatsJanuary 4, 2011 Elanco Companion Animal Health has launched Assurity, a topical flea treatment developed specifically for cats. Most other feline flea treatments share canine formulations, according to the Indianapolis-based company. The active ingredient is spinetoram, registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2007 for use on a variety of fruits and tree nuts. In regards to agricultural use, spinetoram has a lower environmental impact than many current insecticides because both its use rate and toxicity to non-target species are low, according to Elanco. Assurity is said to be the first flea control product using this active ingredient. Elanco reported that Assurity kills 98 percent to 100 percent of fleas within 12 hours, killing fleas before they can lay eggs. It is 100 percent effective for a full month, according to the company. The product, only available through licensed veterinarians, comes in a six-dose package and a single-dose package. One dose treats all sizes of cats and kittens, eight weeks of age and older, according to Elanco. “To reinforce dispensing within the context of a valid veterinarian/client/patient relationship, all boxes and cartons of Assurity contain a unique product tracking code,” said Steve Connell, DVM, director of …
