{"id":23344,"date":"2023-02-27T22:31:42","date_gmt":"2023-02-27T22:31:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/?p=23344"},"modified":"2023-02-27T22:31:42","modified_gmt":"2023-02-27T22:31:42","slug":"epipaws-wins-purina-innovation-prize-0223","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/epipaws-wins-purina-innovation-prize-0223\/","title":{"rendered":"EpiPaws Wins Purina Innovation Prize"},"content":{"rendered":"

EpiPaws, the creator of the Pet Age Test Kit, has been named one of five winners of the 2023 Pet Care Innovation Prize, sponsored by Purina\u2019s corporate venturing group, 9 Square Ventures, and Active Capital.<\/p>\n

The kit uses an at-home mouth swab and epigenetics to estimate a dog or cat\u2019s age within one year. A veterinarian\u2019s estimation sometimes can fall within a five-year range or longer, according to EpiPaws.<\/p>\n

\u201cVeterinarians I\u2019ve spoken with, especially those working closely with shelters and rescues, have confirmed how difficult it is to estimate age based on a pet\u2019s physical features,\u201d said EpiPaws founder and CEO Andria Beal, Ph.D. \u201cOur estimates \u2026 can give more confidence to the veterinarian in what the true age of the animal is.\u201d<\/p>\n

With an accurate age estimation, veterinarians can better inform pet owners on how to feed, exercise and monitor the health of a dog or cat. In the clinical setting, the estimation can help with diagnosing a pet and determining treatment options.<\/p>\n

Launched in 2022, the Pet Age Test Kit uses epigenetics, a technology that first emerged in human forensics.<\/p>\n

The test is marketed to consumers for $120. When the kit arrives, the customer swabs a pet\u2019s mouth, mails the sample and receives results in about four weeks.<\/p>\n

The Innovation Prize helped EpiPaws connect with Purina as a potential partner.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of our goals is to use epigenetic biomarkers<\/a> to increase the longevity of our pets, and research in humans has already started to show that food alone can decrease the aging rate,\u201d Dr. Beal said. \u201cWinning this prize has helped us get closer to making a collaboration with Purina a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, company hopes to offer the test to veterinarians at wholesale prices for use during an adopted pet\u2019s first visit.<\/p>\n

\u201cPet owners look to their veterinarians for guidance, and we think many would prefer that their vet collect the DNA sample for them,\u201d Dr. Beal said.<\/p>\n

The other four winners of the 2023 Pet Care Innovation Prize and $25,000 are:<\/p>\n