Anifera receives further investment from Stonehaven Incubate to initiate additional studies of adjunct therapy in bovine mastitis
Published Wednesday, 25th August 2021PRESS RELEASE
Anifera receives further investment from Stonehaven Incubate to initiate additional studies of adjunct therapy in bovine mastitis
• Bovine mastitis is a major economic and welfare challenge for the global dairy industry, reducing both milk yield and quality
• Anifera’s unique mode of action aims to improve antibiotic efficacy and ultimately reduce the
London, UK, 25 August 2021 – Anifera, a company focused on developing adjunct therapy to improve the efficacy of antibiotics used in animal health, today announced that it plans to conduct additional studies to explore the impact and effectiveness of adjunct therapy in bovine mastitis, a significant economic and animal welfare issue for global dairy farmers. The studies will build on promising initial data in bovine mastitis and follow a further substantial investment in the Company by Stonehaven Incubate, a leading investor in new, innovative animal health companies and a co-founder of Anifera.
Anifera is developing compounds which can improve the efficacy of antibiotics, with the goal of ultimately reducing their use in animals. Anifera’s small molecule compounds seek to potentiate the effects of the antibiotic through a unique mechanism of action.
Dr Gwynneth Thomas, CEO of Anifera, commented: “We have seen very encouraging results in early studies focused on bovine mastitis, utilising our lead compound as an adjunct therapy to a commercial intramammary antibiotic. We look forward to moving ahead with additional development work aimed at further exploring improvements in the efficacy of existing antibiotics when used in combination with our compound, helping to advance sustainability in animal health. We are grateful for the continued commitment of Stonehaven Incubate as we seek to bring these potentially ground-breaking compounds to market as soon as possible.”
Dr Simon Wheeler, a member of Anifera’s Board, said: “Bovine mastitis is a huge economic challenge for the dairy industry, affecting the yield and quality of milk and impacting animal welfare. With increasing concerns and restrictions on the use of antibiotics in farm animals, Anifera’s innovative approach could help improve health and productivity for dairy farmers worldwide.”
Bovine mastitis is an inflammatory response of the udder tissue in the mammary gland caused by microorganisms that most often gain entry via the teat canal. It is widely considered to be the most common cause of economic loss in the dairy industry from disease due to reduced yield and lower milk quality. Overall, mastitis is estimated to cost the global dairy industry up to USD 32 billion annually1. Annual losses in the US alone are estimated at USD 2 billion2. Dairy farmers are expected to face additional challenges as greater restrictions are imposed on veterinary use of multiple antibiotics in major markets including Europe.
Jarne Elleholm, CEO of Stonehaven Incubate, added: “Anifera has the potential to pioneer new ways of treating bovine mastitis, offering immediate financial and welfare benefits to dairy farmers. We are committed to helping Anifera advance these important studies and drive innovation to improve the efficacy of antibiotics. We share their goal of ultimately reducing the usage of antibiotics in disease states across animal health where they are the first line of treatment.”
For more information, please contact:
Beatrix Benz at media@anifera.com or +41 79 256 77 73
About Anifera
Anifera aims to be the leader in developing solutions for adjunct therapy with antibiotics; therefore, improving their efficacy and ultimately reducing their use in animals. Anifera’s technology consists of a family of small molecules which, acting through a novel mechanism of action, have been shown to increase the susceptibility of resistant strains of bacteria to antibiotics. With an initial focus on bovine mastitis, significant benefits are expected if the compounds produce a superior bacterial cure. The company was formed by Stonehaven Incubate and Agile Sciences in 2020. Website: Anifera
About Stonehaven Incubate
Swiss-based Stonehaven Incubate AG was formed in February 2018 and aims to become a leader in sustainable animal health innovation. The company is a dedicated animal health group committed to creating new companies de novo from disruptive human technology. Stonehaven Incubate works with innovators and builds strategies for new, stand-alone animal health companies. It identifies expert management teams and sources the capital required to achieve its goal of bringing the benefits of human innovation to animal health. Website: Stonehaven Incubate
About Agile Sciences, Inc.
Agile Sciences, Inc., is a pre-clinical stage biopharmaceutical company based in Raleigh, NC, USA. It is pioneering an entirely new mechanistic approach for the treatment of antibiotic resistant and life-threatening infections. It was founded in 2007 by Dr John Cavanagh, Professor and Chair, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University and Dr Christian Melander, George & Winifred Clark Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Notre Dame University.
1 University of Glasgow; Potential biomarkers of mastitis in dairy cattle milk identified, 2016
2 The Cattle Site (https://thecattlesite.com/focus/thermo-fisher-scientific/2335/bovine-diagnostics-how-much-does-mastitis-cost-dairy-producers-annually)
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