Two awards presented to support research in otitis and atopic dermatitis
Zoetis Inc., formerly the animal health business unit of Pfizer Inc.,
today announced the first recipients of the company’s Excellence in
Dermatology™ Research Grant program. The objective of the new program is
to support research in the area of basic science diagnosing and treating
dermatologic conditions in dogs and cats.
Investigators from the University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins
University will receive one grant to pursue collaborative research in Pseudomonas
otitis in dogs. A second grant is being awarded to a team at the
University of Minnesota to study the potential for a new drug target in
atopic dermatitis.
“Zoetis is committed to the advancement of clinical science and the
improvement of care in the field of companion animal dermatology,” said
J. Michael McFarland, DVM, DABVP and group director of Companion Animal
Veterinary Operations for Zoetis. “We are pleased to support these
research initiatives to advance the scientific understanding of skin
disease in dogs and cats and help veterinarians better meet the needs of
their patients.”
About the Proposals
One grant is awarded to co-investigators Daniel O. Morris, BS, DVM, MPH,
DACVD, and Shelley C. Rankin, BSc (Hons), PhD, of the University of
Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine; and Meghan Davis, DVM, PhD,
of the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health to
conduct an epidemiologic evaluation of Pseudomonas otitis in dogs.
“Pseudomonas aeruginosa is commonly implicated in severe/chronic
cases of otitis externa and otitis media in dogs, and the extensive
antimicrobial resistance patterns of most isolates create major
therapeutic challenges,” Morris said. “We propose an investigation of
the epidemiology of Pseudomonas otitis, and the data generated
will be used to address two primary hypotheses: first, that the source
of P. aeruginosa in canine otitis is the environment (most likely
water and other fluids); and second, that the human companions of these
dogs are the vehicles through which transmission/inoculation occurs.”
The other grant goes to Sheila Torres, BS, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVD, and Lucy
Vulchanova, BS, PhD, of the University of Minnesota College of
Veterinary Medicine, for their proposal titled, “A new drug target for
improved epidermal barrier function in atopic dermatitis.”
“Increased susceptibility to infections is a hallmark of atopic
dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects
approximately 10 to 20 percent of dogs,” Torres said. “This increased
susceptibility is due in part to impaired epidermal barrier function,
which leads to enhanced access of pathogenic bacteria to deeper
epidermal layers.
“The objective of our project is to evaluate the relevance of the
transient receptor potential channel (TRP) TRPV1 as drug target for
treatment of canine AD,” Torres added.
The grant recipients were announced today during a session at the North
American Veterinary Dermatology Forum (NAVDF) in Louisville, Ky.
About Excellence in Dermatology
Excellence in Dermatology is a comprehensive resource of clinical
information and education materials for veterinarians. The website is
part of a commitment by Zoetis to deliver clinically relevant,
evidence-based knowledge; insights from leading dermatology experts; and
easily accessible, self-paced materials to veterinarians. Veterinarians
can learn more about the program at https://online.zoetis.com/US/EN/Conditions/Pages/Dermatology/index.aspx.
The Excellence in Dermatology Grant program is an example of the Zoetis
Commitment to Veterinarians™, a company-wide program to support
veterinary students and veterinarians throughout their careers. In an
effort to offset the significant costs associated with a veterinary
education, Zoetis and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF)
recently awarded scholarships to 288 second- and third-year veterinary
students at accredited universities throughout the United States and the
Caribbean. Additionally, Zoetis has recently launched a shared residency
program, providing support to a 3-year resident in Dermatology at Tufts
University.
More information about the Zoetis Commitment to Veterinarians program is
available at https://online.zoetis.com/US/EN/Pages/CommitmentToVeterinarians_US.aspx,
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About Zoetis
Zoetis (zō-EH-tis) is the leading animal health company, dedicated to
supporting customers and businesses focused on raising and caring for
livestock and companion animals. Building on a 60-year history as the
animal health business of Pfizer, Zoetis discovers, develops,
manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented
by diagnostic products and genetic tests and supported by a range of
services. The company generated annual revenues of $4.3 billion in 2012.
It has more than 9,300 employees worldwide and a local presence in
approximately 70 countries, including 29 manufacturing facilities in 11
countries. Its products serve veterinarians, livestock producers and
people who raise and care for livestock and companion animals in 120
countries. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.
Media:
Deron Johnson
Zoetis, 973-660-5567
Deron.Johnson@zoetis.com
or
archer>malmo
Julie Lux, 901-500-7063
jlux@archermalmo.com