Companion News for July 23
Zoetis announces acquisition of Platinum Performance
Zoetis Inc. announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Platinum Performance, a privately held, nutrition-focused animal health company. Platinum’s premium nutritional product formulas and unique approach to the field of scientific wellness for horses, dogs and cats will further strengthen and diversify Zoetis’ portfolio in the equine and petcare markets, the company said in a release. Financial terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. Platinum’s flagship equine products include Platinum Performance® Equine, a comprehensive wellness and performance formula, and Platinum Performance® CJ, which delivers wellness and performance with the addition of joint support ingredients. Its petcare products include Platinum Performance® formulations that focus on wellness and joint support for dogs and cats.
Elanco finalizes acquisition of Aratana Therapeutics
Elanco Animal Health Incorporated finalized the acquisition of Aratana Therapeutics, a pet therapeutics company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapeutics for dogs and cats, and developer of the first-of-its-kind canine NSAID for osteoarthritis, Galliprant®. “This transaction allows Elanco to capture the full value of growing product Galliprant®, in which Elanco has had the exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize since 2016,” the company said in a release. “Additionally, Aratana 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. Aratana’s research and development pipeline will also contribute to Elanco’s efforts to sustain the introduction of novel and innovative companion animal therapeutics.”
MedVet’s expansion strategy gets financial backing
Today’s Veterinary Business reported that MedVet, a chain of specialty and emergency veterinary hospitals, is planning further expansion after receiving an investment from SkyKnight Capital and the Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division. Harris Williams LLC reported advising MedVet during the negotiations, but the company didn’t disclose the size of the investment. Previous financing provided by Stonehenge Partners and SkyKnight Capital helped the chain grow from five hospitals to the current 24.
New study shows cats’ heaviest weight higher now than in 1990s
The Toronto Star, Canadian Press reported that a new study involving more than 19 million cats from across Canada and the United States suggests most of the animals continue to put on weight after they reach adulthood, and their heaviest weight is higher now than it was two decades ago. Researchers at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph say the study, which analyzed 54 million weight measurements taken at veterinary offices between 1981 and mid-2016, is the first of its kind to use such a large pool of data.
25 cities receive ‘Better City for Pets’ certification
Pet Product News reported that 25 cities across North America have received a Better City for Pets certification for creating a pet-friendly environment. Mars Petcare and Nashville Civic Design Center officials created the certification to celebrate cities where people and pets can thrive together. Cities on the list include Bloomington, Indiana, Oakland, California, and Miami.
