Animalcare launches Vitofyllin treatment for canine ageing

Animalcare has announced the UK and Irish launch of Vitofyllin, a new therapy for problems associated with canine ageing.

The drug was developed in collaboration with three European partners under the project name Quattro and is the first Animalcare drug to feature an active ingredient that was previously unavailable, meaning it needed to be contract synthesised.

Vitofyllin is a central nervous system stimulant for older dogs suffering from dullness, poor demeanour and unwillingness to exercise, and is aimed at a market thought to be worth 1.5 million pounds a year.

This was the most broad-ranging and potentially risky development project Animalcare has undertaken, with the firm noting that its partnership approach was essential to its success.

Stephen Wildridge, chief executive officer of Animalcare Group, said: "The launch represents the culmination of the biggest development project undertaken by Animalcare and is the product of successful collaboration with members of our European partnership network."

The product is finally being launched after initially being approved by the UK's Veterinary Medicines Directorate in March 2012.