Quincy Bioscience, a biotechnology company in Madison, Wis., reported today that it has launched an animal health division that will initially focus on product development for canine cognitive health. The move is based on Quincy Bioscience’s patented jellyfish protein apoaequorin in human trials, which is protecting brain cells against neuronal degeneration, according to the company. “The essential biochemical properties of the canine brain are not very different from the human brain,” said Mark Underwood, president of Quincy Bioscience. “Dogs are susceptible to many of the same neurological issues due to aging, such as cognitive dysfunction, we face as humans. The jellyfish protein will help dogs with healthy brain aging in the same way it helps people—by supporting calcium regulation neurons.” David Merrick has been named general manager of Quincy Animal Health. Merrick has held several positions with companies in the animal health industry, including vice president of sales and marketing for an animal health generic pharmaceutical company. “I’m extremely excited to be part of something this ground breaking for the animal health industry,” Merrick said. “The United States has 56 million senior dogs and cats with few products that effectively address the symptoms of cognitive dysfunction syndrome.”
