York veterinary pharmaceutical firm acquires research programme

Representing “key building blocks” in its long-term growth strategy, York’s Animalcare Group, a veterinary pharmaceutical and services business, has acquired the VHH NGF programme and related assets.

The deal has been done under a licence agreement previously signed with Orthros Medical in March 2022, which has subsequently been terminated, for a cash consideration of €700,000.

The current VHH NGF programme is researching the effectiveness of antibodies in the treatment of pain caused by osteoarthritis in horses and dogs. The assets under development could be complementary to Daxocox, Animalcare’s COX-2 inhibitor approved for the treatment of osteoarthritis-related pain in dogs.

In the future, as a result of Animalcare now owning the assets, additional programmes will be explored across a variety of species and different diseases. 

The transaction provides Animalcare with full ownership and control of the intellectual property and associated assets, enabling independent development and commercialisation of the technology across a range of indications and species, furthering the group’s strategy to build a pipeline of innovative products.

Simultaneously, the outstanding significant future potential financial obligations under the license agreement have been extinguished, which included development, regulatory and commercial milestones and royalties due on net sales.

272Bio is the group’s new development partner. 

Jenny Winter, CEO of Animalcare Group plc, said: “The acquisition of the VHH NGF programme and new partnership with 272Bio represent key building blocks in our long-term growth strategy, developing a pipeline of innovative new treatments to meet evolving customer needs within the growing global animal health market.

“Working with 272Bio, we have an exciting opportunity to build our future pain portfolio while exploring further potential opportunities with VHH technology in animals.”