60 Seconds with Zarasyl Founder & CEO Adrienne Magnier

Adrienne Magnier Lydia Rogers

Adrienne Magnier’s startup story is one of a serendipitous business opportunity followed up by five years of hard work. Her company, Zarasyl , has created a “miracle cream” for horses and companion animals.

Adrienne previously worked in software development, bringing software products to the health and human services market. This meant she already had a deep understanding of what it takes to develop and deliver a product to market and work with customers on a global scale. Adrienne’s husband is involved in the thoroughbred horse business in County Meath, so the couple were around horses every day.

Around six years ago, they were introduced to the technology behind Zarasyl. The formulation was the result of a decade of research at Cambridge University (UK) and was initially developed for human use. Adrienne and her husband knew that a few people had been using the cream on animals, and decided this was a business opportunity worth further exploration.

Starting small with some initial batches of samples, they started to use Zarasyl on the farm and trialled it with a group of local vets and horse owners. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive! And from this initial research, Adrienne knew she had to bring this technology to market.

1.????? What is Zarasyl, and how did the idea for this innovative animal skincare solution come about??

Zarasyl products are essential first aid topical products for horses, dogs and cats.? The underlying technology is silicate based and the research came out of the University of Cambridge where the technology was being designed for human use.? Silicate is the third most common trace element in mammals and is associated with healthy connective tissue growth.?

2.???? Have you always been passionate about horses??

I grew up around horses and then met my husband who has always worked with horses so when we got introduced to the technology we had the opportunity to try it ourselves.? The first time we used it was on a foal with non-healing sores on its leg.? The results were amazing and encouraged us to use it on the farm and introduce it to veterinarians and equestrian businesses in our neighbourhood. From there we brought Zarasyl to the global market and is now available in all the leading equine referral hospitals in Ireland and the USA.? Zarasyl is safe for use on pregnant mares and foals.?

3.???? Tell us more about the companion animal product??

The companion animal product is similar in how it works to the equine product, but we’ve reformulated to make it also suitable for cats.? It provides a barrier that is easy to use, is adherent and sympathetic to irritated and wounded skin and helps create an optimal wound healing environment that is breathable and moisturising.? It is also very safe for pet owners to administer to their animals.???

4.???? What do users like most about Zarasyl?

Zarasyl was in the first aid bag of a number of riders at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics so Olympic level riders love it.? People love that it works better than topicals that they have previously tried, that it is easy to use and sympathetic to the animals (it doesn’t cause pain or irritation), that there are no prohibited substances and that it comes recommended by veterinarians across the globe.?

5.???? Why bring Zarasyl to the Australian market? And more specifically, who is Zarasyl’s target market here in Australia??

Veterinarians that used the product in the USA and then travelled to Australia were looking for it – so we are addressing that gap in the market and now on a quest to get Zarasyl into the hands of every Veterinarian in Australia.??

6.???? Is Zarasyl safe for competition use??

Yes Zarasyl is safe for competition use.? There are no prohibited substances for FEI competition and we have confirmation from the Chief Veterinary Officer at Racing NSW and the APVMA that Zarasyl is safe to use up to race day.?

7.???? What’s your plan for Zarasyl in Australia? And what are you most excited about for this market??

Our plan is to get Zarasyl into the hands of every veterinarian in Australia and ensure that Zarasyl becomes a trusted solution in their wound and derm toolbox.?

8.???? Is there anything else you’d like us to know about Zarasyl?

Some people refer to it as the “wonder cream”, the “magic cream” but most people love it!? Every horse, dog and cat should have a tube.? Have it at the ready for the bumps and scrapes that they get into.?

If you would like to learn more about Zarasyl and other innovative Irish solutions revolutionising the equine market here in Australia and New Zealand, please reach out to Lydia Rogers Director of Enterprise Ireland Australia & New Zealand: [email protected].

?You can find out more about Zarasyl here: https://zarasyl.ie/

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