FDA Approves Bexacat for Feline Diabetes
Elanco Animal Health announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of Bexacat (bexagliflozin tablets), the first orally administered prescription medication to improve glycemic control in cats with diabetes mellitus. “Bexacat is the first sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor approved by the FDA in any animal species,” according to Elanco. The company licensed development and commercialization rights for bexagliflozin from BexCaFe, an affiliate of Boston-based IncreVet Inc. Bexacat, produced in 15-milligram flavored tablets, comes in 30- and 90-count bottles.
Supplement Maker Lintbells Acquires Walkin’ Pets
Lintbells, the maker of YuMOVE veterinary joint supplements, acquired Walkin’ Pets, a manufacturer of pet mobility aids such as wheelchairs and support harnesses. Terms were not announced. Lintbells reported that it “plans to grow sales not only by expanding their newly acquired mobility aids business, but also introducing their market-leading YuMOVE supplements to the Walkin’ Pets community.”
Consolidators Were Active Buyers in 2022
Veterinary Integration Solutions’ latest tally of practice takeovers found that at least 661 U.S. veterinary hospitals were consolidated in 2022, including acquisitions of corporate-owned practices by other consolidators. The update identified 15 additional corporate groups, from Rarebreed Veterinary Partners and The Vets Pets to Inspire Veterinary Partners and Modern Animal. The management consulting firm’s full report is at bit.ly/3xaXSdo.
Merck Manual Translated Into Spanish
Merck and Co. Inc.’s 11th edition of The Merck Veterinary Manual is available in Spanish. “For more than 65 years, The Merck Veterinary Manual has remained true to its original objective: to provide concise and authoritative information about diseases and management of food-producing, companion, laboratory and exotic animals,” said its editor-in-chief, Dr. Alexandra L. Winter. “Publishing the 11th edition in Spanish allows us to expand our audience.” The Spanish version is available in bookstores, on Amazon and from Edra Publishing.
AAVMC Honors Students and Academics
The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges awarded 19 scholarships totaling $100,000 to students enrolled in AAVMC member institutions. The scholarships, sponsored by Merck Animal Health, “support AAVMC’s efforts as a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion in veterinary medicine,” according to the organization. The list of recipients is at bit.ly/3VVQZZM. In other news, AAVMC announced these 2023 award winners: Dr. John Pascoe of the University of California, Davis (Billy E. Hooper Award for Distinguished Service); Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez of the University of Wisconsin (Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award); Dr. Pamela Lein of UC Davis (Excellence in Research Award); and Dr. Rustin Moore of Ohio State University (Iverson Bell Award).
Petriage Performed Well in 2022
The veterinary telehealth company Petriage released its 2022 report card, showing the company “successfully scaled its business … to develop three vibrant and complementary lines of business: core telehealth, support for pet insurers, and a veterinary-sponsored direct-to-consumer Rx business.” Petriage also stated that it came close to being sold to “a veterinary distribution division of a large, publicly traded company. … Due to the buyer’s perceived concerns about recession and rising interest rates, this sale was not concluded.”
Covetrus’ New CFO Worked at Sysco Corp.
Covetrus, a seller of animal health products and services, appointed Ajoy Karna as executive vice president and chief financial officer, succeeding Matthew Foulston. Karna spent the past 10 years at Sysco Corp., a food service distributor, in senior finance and strategic leadership roles.
UC Davis Professor Is a U.S. Science Envoy
Dr. Christine Kreuder Johnson, a professor in the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, was named one of seven U.S. Science Envoys. According to UC Davis, “Select scientists forge connections and identify opportunities for sustained international cooperation, championing innovation and demonstrating America’s scientific leadership and technical ingenuity.” Dr. Johnson is a professor of epidemiology and ecosystem health and the director of the EpiCenter for Disease Dynamics within the UC Davis One Health Institute.