ANIMAL HEALTH INDUSTRY NEWS- January 2024

Brazilian exports record for chicken meat, first attenuated vaccine for Aujeszky's disease and a new inactivated viral vaccine for Equine Encephalomyelitis approved by SENASA (Argentina), Ceva Santé Animale?appointed Brad McCollum as Senior Vice President for North America, New Prize for Biogenesis Bago (Argentina), Guillermo Ferreres as its new Commercial Manager in DROVET Argentina, and other news starting the year.

?? Brazilian chicken meat exports (including all products, fresh and processed) closed 2023 with total exports of 5.138 million tons, according to the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA). The figure confirms the projections outlined by the association for the year, with a cumulative increase of 6.6% compared to the total exported in 2022, which was 4.822 million tons. In terms of revenue, the year-on-year increase was 0.4%, with a total of US$9.796 billion over the 12 months of 2023, compared to US$9.762 billion in 2022. The year's strong performance was consolidated with the results achieved in December. In total, 467,200 tons of chicken meat were exported in the period, a 20.9% increase compared to the twelfth month of 2022, which saw 386,300 tons. It was the second-highest volume shipped in a single month in the history of the sector, surpassed only by the 514,600 tons exported in March 2023. (catedralatam.com , Jan 8th).

?? Senasa (Argentine Regulatory Authority) has approved the first attenuated vaccine for Aujeszky's disease and a new inactivated viral vaccine for Equine Encephalomyelitis. This marks the approval of the initial batch of vaccines for Aujeszky's disease in pigs, as per Resolution 1281/2023. It also authorized the use of a new inactivated viral vaccine for Equine Encephalomyelitis. The approval for the first batch of 300,000 Aujeszky's disease vaccines falls under Resolution 1281/2023, which in December authorized the importation, commercialization, and use of 1,200,000 doses, based on compliance with quality controls conducted at the national laboratory in Martínez, Vicente López. (vetmarketportal.com.ar , Jan. 12th).

?? CHINA Zhengye Biotechnology Holding, a Chinese provider of veterinary vaccines with a focus on livestock, filed on Tuesday with the SEC to raise up to $20 million in an initial public offering. Zhengye Biotechnology's products are available in China, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Egypt. The company reported $35 million in sales for the 12 months ended June 30, 2023. (Renaissancecapital.com ).

?? Fatro introduces Dentaldine, our new gum gel with chlorhexidine for dogs and cats. When used regularly, Dentaldine can effectively delay the buildup of dental tartar in dogs and cats. It features a specific aroma designed for pets, making it easier to use. This product offers both anti-tartar action and natural sensitivity to gum care. The gel, containing chlorhexidine, glycerin, and polyvinylpyrrolidone, among other ingredients, comes in a convenient 30-milliliter format with an applicator and does not require a veterinary prescription. (animalshealth.es , Jan 14th).

?? Vetoquinol is offering the veterinarians with studies and experiences related to Phovia, the luminescent dermatological diagnostic platform, available for download. This material is regularly updated, incorporating new practical experiences, making the website www.phovia.es a repository of practical information. Phovia can be used as a single or multimodal approach for dermatological conditions, traumatic and surgical wound management. To assist all clinics and hospitals using Phovia regularly in promoting this solution, Vetoquinol offers marketing materials for use in consultations and on social media. (diarioveterinario.com , Jan. 14th).

?? Ceva Santé Animale announced the appointment of Brad Mc Collum as Senior Vice President for North America. Brad McCollum succeeds Jean-Charles Tissot, who has been overseeing this region since 2019 and will now lead the global autogenous vaccines’ activities. (company press release).

?? Biogénesis-Bagó: The National Academy of Agronomy and Veterinary Science (ANAV) awarded the 2022 Biogénesis Bagó Prize to the work titled "Evaluation of Phytotherapeutic Alternatives for the Control of Bovine Mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus." The manuscript was submitted by Daniel Buldain, Lihuel Gortari Castillo, Julia di Filippo, and German Islan, a team from the Laboratory of Pharmacological and Toxicological Studies (LEFyT) of the Special Pharmacology and Toxicology Chair at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences of the National University of La Plata, under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Nora Mestorino. (motivar.com.ar , Jan).

?? Nexus Animal Health, the consultancy company focused on ANIMAL HEALTH in Latin America will take part in the technology event today in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The Punta Tech Meetup, where technology leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, venture capital funds, and the local business community gather, returns to its 16th edition at the place where it was first held: the Museum of Contemporary Art of Atchugarry (MACA). (Company site, Jan 14th).

?? The ONVET brand is growing in Brazil, bringing technology and innovation to the Brazilian veterinary market with a new category of specialized veterinary nutrition focused on dogs and cats with chronic diseases. Founded approximately a year ago, this startup develops scientifically-based supplements with nanotechnology, offering a portfolio of products that serve as allies in the treatment to improve the quality of life, strength, and vitality of pets. It all began with Luvinha, a nine-year-old shih-tzu who had cancer and, after surgery, started losing weight as she no longer wanted to eat, leading to a significant decline in her overall health. (starse.com , Dec. 23th).

?? Elanco Animal Health Inc.’s board of directors has named Lawrence E. Kurzius as its next chairman of the board, effective at the conclusion of the company’s 2024 annual meeting of shareholders. Kurzius, a member of the Elanco board since 2018, will succeed Chairman R. David Hoover, who will remain on the board as an independent director. Elanco previously announced its plan to amend the company’s corporate governing documents with proposals to be presented at the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders, including beginning a process to declassify the board of directors, providing shareholders the right to amend the company’s bylaws and enabling shareholders, under certain circumstances, to call special meetings. Elanco also intends to seek shareholder approval to modify the voting standard for uncontested director elections from a plurality standard to a majority of votes cast. (feedstrategy.com , Jan. 3th).

?? POLAND Bioceltix, a Polish biotech startup, has secured approximately EUR 2.53 million in subsidies through the European Funds for a Modern Economy (FENG) program to develop an allogenic stem cell-based drug candidate for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in dogs. (therecursive.com ).

?? Norbrook Laboratories Ltd.: A programme of redundancies at Northern Ireland-based veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer, last year cost the company more than ￡3.1 million (€3.6 million) after what it described as a “disappointing” financial performance in the year to the end of July. Pretax profits at the group, a significant employer in the Newry area, fell by around 80 per cent in its last financial year to ￡3.8 million, according to accounts filed before Christmas. The business incurred an exceptional charge of more than ￡3.1 million related to a round of voluntary redundancies announced in June. (irishtimes.com , Jan 6th).

?? Norbrook team members donate 2,000 food and toy hampers to local people. MORE than 2,000 food and toy hampers were distributed in the Newry area over the Christmas period, and thousands of local people provided with a free hot meal, thanks to the efforts of team members at Norbrook. It marked a further expansion of the Newry company’s community initiative which has helped more and more people in the local area each year. Norbrook’s award-winning WeCare@Christmas campaign saw hundreds of employees at its Newry sites get involved in fundraising and donating. (farminglife.com , Jan 4th).

?? BioVet CGT announced a research and development partnership with ELA Pharma to develop animal health products using ELA Pharma's platform technology that inhibits cell necrosis. (Bnnbreaking.com ).

?? Uruguay (Slaughterhouses): On February 1st, the transfer of the San Jacinto slaughterhouse (Nirea SA), owned by the Argentine Pérez Companc group, to the owners of the Pando slaughterhouse (Ontilcor SA) will be finalized. This is the scheduled date if the few remaining details for completing the transaction progress as expected. In 2023, Pando processed 171,000 cattle, while San Jacinto processed 92,000. Together, they accounted for 11.4% of Uruguay's total cattle slaughter. With the current corporate structure in the country, the Pando group will become the third-largest in terms of slaughter capacity, behind Marfrig and Minerva. However, if the transfer of three Marfrig plants to Minerva is finalized (this deal has not yet been approved by the Competition Authority), it would become the second-largest group in the meat industry behind Minerva. Additionally, San Jacinto is the second-largest sheep processor in the country, accounting for 19% of the 2023 sheep slaughter, totaling 266,000 animals. (Tardaglia Consultores, Jan. 10 th).

?? Drovet Argentina: In early 2024, the Argentine veterinary distributor DROVET announced the hiring of Guillermo Ferreres as its new Commercial Manager. The news highlights that Ferreres brings more than 20 years of experience in the veterinary industry, with a background at laboratories such as Proagro and Zoetis. This addition to the management team is part of the strategic plan to become a leading company in comprehensive solutions for the veterinary sector in the region. (motivar.com.ar , Jan 13th).

?? Hill's Pet Nutrition announced a series of new product innovations and enhancements to its Hill's Prescription Diet pet food line to launch in the first half of 2024. The products include Prescription Diet z/d Low Fat Hydrolyzed Soy Canine; Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Low Fat Canine; upgraded Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Stress Feline; and three new Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Stress Feline wet flavors: Vegetable & Tuna Stew, Tuna, and Chicken. (PRnewswire).

BERNARDO OTERO Leadership in ANIMAL HEALTH

CEO & Founder of NEXUS ANIMAL HEALTH