Anifera receives further investment for studies on adjunct therapy in bovine mastitis

Anifera, a company dedicated to developing adjunct therapy to improve the efficacy of animal care antibiotics, plans to conduct additional studies analyzing the impact and effectivess of adjust therapy in bovine mastitis—a major animal welfare issue for global dairy farmers. These studies will build on promising initial data in bovine mastitis through a substanial investment from Stonehaven Incubate, an investor in new, innovative animal health companies and cofounder of Anifera.

According to a company release, Anifera is employing its mission to ultimately reduce antibiotic use in animals by creating compounds that can improve the efficacy of antibiotics. The small molecule compounds aim to potentiate antibiotics’ effects by using a unique mechanism of action.¹

“We have seen very encouraging results in early studies focused on bovine mastitis, utilizing our lead compound as an adjunct therapy to a commercial intramammary antibiotic. We look forward to moving ahead with additional development work aimed at further exploring improvements in the efficacy of existing antibiotics when used in combination with our compound, helping to advance sustainability in animal health,” says Gwynneth Thomas, PhD, MBA, BS, CEO of Anifera, in the release.

“We are grateful for the continued commitment of Stonehaven Incubate as we seek to bring these potentially ground-breaking compounds to market as soon as possible,” she added.

Bovine mastitis is an inflammatory response of the udder tissue in the mammary gland caused by microorganisms that typically gain entry through the teat canal. It is widely recognized as the most frequent cause of economic loss in the dairy industry from disease because of reduced yield and lower milk quality. Mastitis is estimated to cost the global dairy industry up to $32 billion annually.² In just the United States alone, annual losses are approximately $2 billion.³

Additionally, dairy farmers are anticipated to confront more challenges as greater restrictions are established on veterinary use of multiple antibiotics in major markets including Europe.

“Anifera has the potential to pioneer new ways of treating bovine mastitis, offering immediate financial and welfare benefits to dairy farmers,” says Jarne Elleholm, MBA, B.Com, CEO of Stonehaven Incubate, in the release.

“We are committed to helping Anifera advance these important studies and drive innovation to improve the efficacy of antibiotics. We share their goal of ultimately reducing the usage of antibiotics in disease states across animal health where they are the first line of treatment,” he added.

References

1. Anifera receives further investment from Stonehaven Incubate to initiate additional studies of adjunct therapy in bovine mastitis. News release. August 25, 2021; Anifera. Accessed August 25, 2021. https://news.cision.com/benz-advisory/r/anifera-receives-further-investment-from-stonehaven-incubate-to-initiate-additional-studies-of-adjun,c3402768
2. University of Glasgow. Potential biomarkers of mastitis in dairy cattle milk identified. Phys.org. July 18, 2016. Accessed August 25, 2021. https://phys.org/news/2016-07-potential-biomarkers-mastitis-dairy-cattle.html
3. How much does mastitis cost dairy producers annually? The Cattle Site. Accessed August 25, 2021. https://thecattlesite.com/focus/thermo-fisher-scientific/2335/bovine-diagnostics-how-much-does-mastitis-cost-dairy-producers-annually