Elanco Invests in Monoclonal Antibody Production
Elanco Animal Health plans to spend $130 million to expand its Elwood, Kansas, plant, which currently produces Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody. “Elanco expects its next monoclonal antibody, a future potential product in canine dermatology, in 2025,” the company stated. “The Elwood facility will play an essential role in producing supply.” In other news, Elanco reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration completed a review of all major and minor technical sections for the broad-spectrum parasiticide Credelio Quattro. The product is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2025.
Fear Free Certifies Its First Australian Hospital
Avoca Drive Animal Hospital in Erina, New South Wales, has become the first Australian veterinary practice to earn Fear Free Veterinary Practice Certification. According to the Fear Free organization, all Avoca Drive team members “became Fear Free certified individually while the practice worked to incorporate all 36 mandatory standards into their workflows and patient care.”
PetIQ Closes Clinics and Finds a New Owner
PetIQ Inc. has agreed to a $1.5 billion takeover by the private-equity firm Bansk Group. Idaho-based PetIQ makes veterinary medications and other products and, until recently, operated nearly 300 in-store animal wellness clinics. According to VIN News Service, PetIQ will close 133 clinics “later this month, leaving a single pilot practice outside Atlanta with a new Walmart-branded format that will remain open.” The company cited labor challenges and profitability issues for its retreat from hands-on medical care.
Arizona Celebrates Second Class of Graduates
The University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine will graduate its second class on Aug. 22 by awarding DVM degrees to 108 students. The three-year program’s inaugural class departed a year ago.
Jorgensen Laboratories Acquires Vet Labs
Veterinary equipment maker Jorgensen Laboratories has acquired Miami-based Vet Labs. Terms were not disclosed. “This acquisition enhances Jorgensen Labs’ product portfolio with several unique veterinary-specific in-house lab products, including the popular chromogenic specialty media plates for uterine culture in mares,” the Colorado company stated.
Trupanion Helps Identify Emerging Health Threats
Pet health insurer Trupanion has partnered with the federal government, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Mars Science and Diagnostics to launch a surveillance tool called the Pet and Public Health Early Warning and Detection System. “Utilizing data from Trupanion’s Vet Portal technology, active in over 10,000 veterinary hospitals, the system offers insights into pet illness trends across pet demographics, offering valuable insights and enabling early detection and response to potential threats,” the company stated.
NaVetor Software Works With Zoetis Reference Labs
NaVetor practice management cloud software, offered through Patterson Veterinary Supply, now integrates with Zoetis Reference Laboratories. “Veterinary practices can send lab orders directly from NaVetor to Zoetis Reference Laboratories and receive accurate results back into the patient record automatically,” according to NaVetor. Another new feature is the addition of Gravity Payments to the software’s merchant services.
Hill’s to Fund Kansas State Professorship
Hill’s Pet Nutrition has announced a $1 million donation to endow a small animal clinical nutrition professorship at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. The yet-to-be-named professor will teach small animal nutrition courses and conduct research.
Graduates Get Free Access to SignalRay
Veterinary teleradiology company SignalPet will provide new veterinary school graduates with three months of free access to SignalRay, an artificial-intelligence-powered platform. Graduate Incentive Program details are at bit.ly/3YRb7QM.
VetPrep Offers No-Cost NAVLE Boot Camp
Financial support from Chewy Health will allow test-preparation provider VetPrep to launch free, on-demand PowerPrep NAVLE sessions for DVM students. According to VetPrep, “This program is designed to provide a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the NAVLE exam through a series of 10 expert-led sessions, seamlessly integrating VetPrep into students’ study routines.” Learn more at bit.ly/3WVoKMb.