NEWS 102 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE October 2024 Boehringer Ingelheim acquires pet therapeutics company Boehringer Ingelheim publicized the acquisition of Saiba Animal Health AG, a company focused on the development of novel therapeutic medicines to address chronic diseases in pets. With the acquisition, Boehringer Ingelheim aims to strengthen its animal health research and development (R&D) pipeline, specifically in the fast-growing pet therapeutics category. As life expectancy for pets increases, so does the need for effective treatment of debilitating diseases, according to the company. Saiba Animal Health’s innovative technology platform uses a therapeutic vaccine approach, which is designed to create an immune response, targeting chronic diseases such as allergy, inflammation and pain. The therapeutic vaccines incorporate virus-like particles to induce the animal’s immune system. They produce neutralizing antibodies against the animal’s own disease-causing proteins. This approach may result in a longer duration of action, better treatment outcomes, and increased pet owner convenience and compliance. “Our pets live longer which creates different needs for their medical care, and often without good existing treatment options,” says Eric Haaksma, Head of Global Innovation, Animal Health at Boehringer Ingelheim. “As a research-driven company, we are very excited about the potential of Saiba Animal Health’s groundbreaking technology platform, which could result in a more specific and longer-lasting therapeutic response to chronic diseases in companion animals than current approaches.” Read more>> Growing start-ups to meet at Animal AgTech Innovation Summit The Animal AgTech Innovation Summit in Amsterdam on October 9-10 will bring together 350+ global leading food producers, animal health providers, feed and nutrition companies, technology developers, start-ups, and investors for two high energy days of 1-1 meetings, panel sessions, roundtable discussions and a networking drinks reception. Rethink Events, the organizer of the Animal AgTech Innovation Summit, unveiled that the event will highlight novel solutions this year and present the 19 growing companies selected to present, pitch and exhibit in Amsterdam on October 9-10, 2024. The summit provides a platform for start-ups to meet potential investors and partners, raise their profile, and position their technology alongside the industry heavyweights who attend from around the world each year. “Despite the trend towards more plant proteins, animals remain key for a healthy and diversified diet. Start-ups are without a doubt a driving force behind the progress we see in animal agtech. They bring new ideas and technologies that can improve animal welfare, sustainability and food security. It is crucial to support these entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of agriculture,” says Patrik Haesen, CEO of Agri Investment Fund. Read more>>
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