Company updates: News from across the nation and around the globe

Novartis Animal Health names winner of Onsior clinic makeover competition

Novartis Animal Health and BDA Architechture have announced The Village Vet of Lewiston, New York, as the winner of Novartis Animal Health's Onsior Clinic Makeover sweepstakes, according to a company release.

Creating a feline-friendly clinic sets a foundation for delivering quality, specialized care to the feline population and can be a factor for growth and improved profitability because it encourages increased visits by creating a calming environment.

Village Vet of Lewiston's improvements included the purchase of spay and neuter surgical equipment and tools, as well as instaling a salt water aquarium for patient and pet owner enjoyment, according to the release. The new equipment allowed the clinic to partner with Community Cats Alive, a feral cat spay and neuter program.

“We were very pleased that we had 964 clinics eager to create a feline-friendly environment through entering the sweepstakes,” says Juan Angel, associate brand manager for Onsior, in the release. “Creating a feline-friendly clinic goes beyond the functional clinic elements and includes feline-friendly products, practices and protocols. Novartis Animal Health is proud and committed to helping veterinarians meet the healthcare needs of its feline patients.”

Onsior (robenacoxib) tablets are now approved for use in cats 4 months of age and older ≥ 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) and are indicated for the control of postoperative pain and inflammation associated with orthopedic surgery, ovariohysterectomy and castration for up to three days.

Developer of pet medications receives funding increase

Nexvet, a leading veterinary biologic drug developer based in Melbourne, Australia, has announced it received $31.5 million in funding to support the continued development of a range of clinical programs for the companion animal market and assist the company in expanding its product pipeline, according to a company release.

The company's clinical development programs focus on areas of unmet medical need, including canine and feline pain, and canine inflammation. Using its proprietary PETisation platform technology, the company is developing monoclonal antibody therapies (mAbs) for companion animals, which are 100 percent customized to the target species-in this case, cats and dogs.

In clinical studies the technology has been shown to produce therapies that have highly promising efficacy and safety profiles with no side effects, according to the release. Nexvet already partners with U.S. veterinary colleges, but plans to expand operations in 2014.

Florida clinic selected to offer cancer vaccine

Morphogenesis Inc., a Tampa-based biotech company which developed the ImmuneFx cancer vaccine for dogs, cats and horses, has selected Florida Veterinary Referral Center & 24-Hour Emergency Hospital in Estero as the exclusive provider of the ImmuneFx therapy process in the Southwest Florida region, according to a company release.

The vaccine primes the pet's immune system to recognize and kill cancer cells without harming other cells or tissues in the body and has been shown to be effective against more than 20 different types of cancers in dogs, cats and horses, according to the release.

Merial launches heartworm disease prevention continuing education course

Merial has launched its CE course for veterinary technicians as part of Merial's partnership with the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). The course enables veterinary technicians to have a more effective conversation with pet owners about the importance of year-round heartworm disease prevention, according to a company release.

The course also includes lessons that address misconceptions and miscommunication among pet owners regarding heartworm disease prevention and is designed to be more effective through user engagement to ensure the presented material is learned, retained and applied. It is RACE-approved for one CE credit. For more information, visit joinpowerof12.com/education.