Pfizer Animal Health has continued to expand its interests in the equine sector with a strategic alliance with Europe´s leading equine foundation, Hippolia. The collaboration will be supported by a combined $5 million investment from Hippolia and Pfizer over the first three years, and is the largest consortium of equine research in Europe.
Alejandro Bernal, President, Pfizer Animal Health EuAfME. (Photo: Business Wire)
The aim is to share resources and expertise in order to accelerate the advancement of equine medicine with innovations in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases which affect the health, welfare and performance of horses.
"This is a particularly synergistic partnership," said Alejandro Bernal, Area President, Pfizer Animal Health, Europe, Africa and Middle East.
"Together, the Hippolia Foundation and Pfizer have created a partnership based on what is today the largest equine research network worldwide. Both parties will benefit form the combined expertise and resources in the interest of accelerating pioneering equine research."
The Hippolia Foundation is a network of leading French equine institutions and international partners, backed by the French government, and includes multi-disciplinary scientists with state-of-the-art facilities and a long history of innovation and education. Its President, Pierre Lekeux, said: "This is an excellent example of a public/private initiative to advance our scientific knowledge and improve animal health and welfare.
"Collaboration between private and public stakeholders is critical to this process because research is becoming more complex, more costly, more challenging and more competitive. We are committed to growing these partnerships, now and in the future."
Pfizer Animal Health has created a number of international public/private partnerships in recent years, including initiatives in the UK and China. The company recently opened a new, $7 million global Equine Research Centre at its worldwide veterinary R&D headquarters in Kalamazoo, Michingan, USA.
"Collaborations with external academic and research institutions form a critical part of Pfizer´s scientific alliances strategy that aims to provide distinct innovation in the sector and advance the veterinary profession," explained Dr Michelle Haven, President of Business Development, Global Alliances and Strategic Planning.
The current Pfizer Animal Health product portfolio includes a wide range of equine vaccines, parasiticides and pharmaceuticals: vaccines for equine influenza, tetanus, equine herpes virus (EHV); emerging diseases (such as West-Nile fever); Rotavirus and equine viral arteritis; anti-parasitics that include the leading brands Equest® (moxidectin) and Strongid® P (pyrantel); a pharmaceutical range of pain and sedation products including Torbugesic® (butorphanol); Equimide® (detomidine); Rimadyl® (carprofen); and Hylartil® (sodium hyaluronate) as well as anti-infectives such as Excenel® (ceftiofur).
New equine vaccines and parasiticides are key areas for research, but the company is committed to a wide ranging portfolio of products across major equine disease areas. The company says its aim is to become the preferred partner of equine veterinarians offering a unique combination of products, services and expertise through a tailored customer experience.
Founded in 2011 and located in Normandy "´ at the centre of one of Europe´s most recognised regions for competition horses "´ The Hippolia Foundation supports and promotes the development of research programmes, training and services at an international level, particularly on issues of health, welfare and performance. The nine founding members are:
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l´alimentation, l´environment et du travail (ANSES)
- Association Vétérinaire Equine Française (AVEF)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d´Alfort (ENVA)
- Institut Française du Cheval et de l´Equitation (IFCE)
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)
- Pole de Compétitivité Filière Equine (PCFE)
- Syndicat de l´Industrie du Médicament Vétérinaire (SIMV)
- Université de Caen Basse-Normandie (UCBN)
- Université de Liège (Ulg)
About Pfizer Animal Health
Pfizer Animal Health, a business unit of Pfizer Inc, is a world leader in the discovery, development and manufacture of innovative animal health vaccines, medicines, and diagnostic products. Pfizer Animal Health invests more in research and development than any other animal health company. We work to assure a safe, sustainable global food supply from healthy beef and dairy cattle, swine, poultry and fish while helping dogs, cats and horses live healthier longer lives. We strive to be the animal health company that provides full healthcare solutions to veterinarians, livestock producers, and pet owners. To learn more, visit www.pfizeranimalhealth.com.
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