Weekly Companion Animal News: December 16, 2024
Alveo, Fraunhofer to collaborate on rapid feline respiratory panel
Alveo Technologies, an Alameda, California-based molecular sensing and diagnostics company, announced it has partnered with German research firm Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI to develop a diagnostic panel that simultaneously tests for feline influenza, feline calicivirus and feline herpes virus-1.
Covetrus opens expanded Rx compounding facility in Phoenix
Covetrus has opened its expanded, 50,000 square-foot pharmaceutical compounding facility in Phoenix, doubling its capacity. The move follows the company’s recent partnership with Epicur Pharma, an FDA-registered Section 503B outsourcing facility offering veterinarians medications for their in-clinic use.
Novo Nordisk closer to improving supply of weight-loss drug Wegovy
Danish drugmaker Novo Holdings received approval from European antitrust regulators to move forward with its proposed $16.5 billion buyout of US-based drug manufacturer Catalent. The deal could boost the availability of Novo Nordisk’s weight loss drug Wegovy and diabetes treatment Ozempic because Catalent is the main supplier of fill-finish work, i.e., filling and packaging syringes and injection pens for the drugs. The US Federal Trade Commission is the last hurdle Novo Holdings needs to overcome to cement the deal.
Patterson to be acquired by Patient Square Capital
Patterson Companies has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by healthcare investment firm Patient Square Capital. Patterson shareholders will receive $31.35 in cash per share, for a transaction value of approximately $4.1 billion. The agreement includes a 40-day “go-shop” period, which permits the Patterson Board and advisors to solicit alternative acquisition proposals.
Phillips Pet and Hagen Group expand distribution partnership
Several months after launching their partnership, Phillips Pet Food & Supplies and the Hagen Group announced that the remainder of the Hagen portfolio – including Fluval, ExoTerra and Marina – will begin shipping through Phillips’ East Coast and Midwest distribution facilities this month, with the West Coast launch set for January 2025.
Tariff experts expected to be in high demand in the months ahead
Trade law and supply chain experts are expected to be in high demand as companies navigate complex national security laws, tariff exemptions and product classifications. Some groups are investigating whether they can reclassify products to win lower tariff rates, while others are focused on reorganizing their supply chains.
NY county sees increase in leptospirosis cases in dogs
The Chenango County Health Department in New York state said it has seen an increase in cases of leptospirosis in dogs and is warning the public that humans are at risk too. Risk exposures include directly touching the body fluids of an infected animal; eating food, drinking water or touching soil that is contaminated by the urine of an infected animal; and homelessness or living in close quarters to others.
Hologic announces Martin Madaus, DVM, elected to Board of Directors
Newly elected Hologic Board member Martin Madaus an operating executive at the Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. Prior to that he was chairman and CEO of Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Inc., a manufacturer of products and equipment for blood testing. He received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Munich in Germany and a Ph.D. in Veterinary Medicine from the Veterinary School of Hanover in Germany.
