Paws for
Thought
Nexvet newsletter
First edition, May 2013
Nexvet newsletter | Edition one
From the CEO
Nexvet is pioneering the next generation in healthcare for
companion animals, underpinned by innovation and solid
science. In our first edition of ‘Paws for Thoughts’ we want
to share this mission with you — our shareholders and
fellow industry stakeholders — introducing our ideas,
our people and our progress.
Globally, animal health is one of the fastest growing
sectors of the pharmaceutical industry and it’s easy to see
why. In Australia alone, more than 60% of households have
a pet and many are considered ‘part of the family’, leading
to a demand for veterinary medicines that are
of the highest standard.
In Australia alone, more than 60%
of households have a pet and many
are considered ‘part of the family’
Nexvet is planning to progress both NV-02 and NV-06
in larger studies in the coming months with key global
opinion leaders. Some of this data was revealed this
month at a leading animal health R&D conference by
David Gearing, our CSO. Furthermore, we will embark on
additional scientific publications over the next 12-18
months to share our exciting and transforming data.
We are now entering a very exciting phase. We have a
number of important clinical studies underway and several
manufacturing programmes initiated with respected
contract -manufacturing organisations. We are committed
to becoming the leader in the development of biopharma
products for companion animals and I look forward to
sharing our progress in the months and years ahead.
Mark Heffernan. PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Our PETisation™ technology allows us to bring the
benefits of human blockbuster biopharmaceuticals
(monoclonal antibodies) to animals, so that we can
seize a significant portion of the growing $25billion
animal health market.
Since our inception in 2010, we’ve made significant
scientific, clinical and commercial progress. In August
2012, we signed our first commercial licensing deal with
major Japanese animal health company, Meiji Seika
Pharma, granting exclusive rights for the development
and distribution of a dog inflammation treatment across
a number of Asian territories.
This deal was closely followed by the completion of
Nexvet’s A$2.5 million seed financing round in September
2012, led by a consortium of European and Australian
angel and commercialisation funds.
In November 2012, we completed successful initial
clinical studies of anti-pain product (NV-01) in dogs
suffering from osteoarthritis. Currently, we are expanding
our pain trials at study centres in North Carolina,
Colorado, Adelaide and Melbourne. We have also
recently seen positive efficacy data from trials of our
feline osteoarthritic pain product, NV-02 and dog
anti-inflammatory product, NV-06.
Nexvet newsletter | Edition one
Mark Heffernan and his dog, Clover
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PETisation™
Nexvet’s proprietary platform technology
In human medicine, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have
revolutionised the treatment of inflammatory diseases
like arthritis and psoriasis and cancers including
lymphomas and breast cancer.
David Gearing, Nexvet’s Chief Scientific Officer and
Professor at Monash University in Melbourne, invented
and patented a method of universal conversion of MAbs
between species, called PETisation™.
Monoclonal antibodies are natural glycoproteins
engineered to bind to, and either neutralise or kill
disease-causing targets in the body. As glycoproteins,
antibodies would be digested if taken orally, and so require
injection. They are naturally stable, have a long duration of
effect once injected and are particularly suited for treating
chronic diseases. Indeed, millions of people have been given
antibody therapy to treat chronic inflammatory diseases,
cancers, heart disease, bone disease, even blindness;
and as a class they are considered safe and efficacious.
Being made of protein, antibodies are degraded to simple,
safe amino acids. “Humanised” antibodies were engineered
to be human-like and, so, not recognised as foreign and
rejected following administration to a patient. By the same
logic, humanised antibodies cannot be used as therapy in
other species, such as dogs, cats and horses as they are
foreign to these species.
PETisation™ has been applied successfully to convert
multiple antibodies for use in dog, cat and horse.
“We are excited about the potential of PETisation™,
as equivalent antibodies have shown rapid clinical
uptake and sales growth in human healthcare,” said
Professor Gearing. “In the human sector, blockbuster
antibody treatments include Roche’s Herceptin® and
Avastin® for treating various cancers, and Abbott’s
Humira® for treating inflammatory disorders.
Of the top ten human pharmaceuticals, six are
monoclonal antibodies generating $50Bn in sales.
This class of drug has revolutionised human medicine,
and Nexvet is at the cutting edge in making this a reality
for companion animals.”
“We are excited about the potential of
PETisation™, as equivalent antibodies
have shown rapid clinical uptake and
sales growth in human healthcare”
PETisation™ is Nexvet’s patent- protected technology
that enables the conversion of a disease-modifying
antibody from a donor species, for use in a different
recipient species. This is done using a novel algorithm
that focuses on the structure of the antigen- binding
domains of antibodies from several species. PETising
retains the binding affinity of the donor antibody more
successfully than comparable approaches, at a greatly
reduced time and cost.
Nexvet newsletter | Edition one
David Gearing and his dog, Chloe
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Expanding the Nexvet Team
Renowned animal health leader joins Nexvet Board
In February 2013, Nexvet was delighted to appoint
experienced animal health expert, Dr Paul Wood, as a
non -executive Director. Dr Wood has more than 30 years’
experience in veterinary sciences and pharmaceuticals
where he has held senior management positions in R&D
for a range of large pharmaceutical companies including
Pfizer Animal Health, CSL Animal Health and CSIRO.
Dr Wood is well regarded in research and commercial
aspects of animal health, and has expressed his
enthusiasm for Nexvet’s research portfolio. “There is a
clear increase in interest from global financiers enquiring
about the animal health market. The market is attracting
significant attention, and innovative companies like
Nexvet are bringing proven approaches to treat unmet
needs in the animal health market. There is solid
revenue potential for companies with proven and
superior approaches.”
Recent activity that has buoyed the industry includes
the Zoetis IPO (Zoetis is a spin — out of Pfizer’s animal
health business) in February, which was the largest IPO
since Facebook. Biopharmaceutical company, Aratana
Therapeutics, has also filed for a US$57.5 million IPO
in March 2013, with a focus on the development and
commercialisation of innovative prescription medication
and therapeutics for pets. These examples along with
strong revenue growth by industry leaders, endorse the
value of the companion animal market and are setting
the scene for transformation of the industry. “Nexvet is
in the right place at the right time,” said Dr Wood.
Nexvet has made some great additions to its team with the recent appointments of Dr Joakim Rodin
as Director of Program Management and Dr Elena Virtue as Staff Scientist
Dr Joakim Rodin
Dr Elena Virtue
Dr Rodin has more than 20 years’ experience in the
pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. He has
held senior roles in product development for Amersham
BioSciences/GE Healthcare and CSL. Dr Rodin is a
great addition to Nexvet’s management team where he
enjoys working in a quick moving environment with a
commercial focus, coupled with his love for dogs and his
fascination with Nexvet’s PETisation™ technology.
Dr Virtue is involved in R&D, laboratory operation
and management of Nexvet projects relating to the
identification of lead targets for pain, inflammation
and cancer in pets. Dr Virtue comes from a strong
academic background in science, having completed
a PhD at the University of Melbourne (School of
Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine,
Dentistry and Health Sciences.)
“My endeavor is to ensure that we deliver our
project portfolio as efficiently as we can.”
“As an animal lover, and having completed a PhD
in the animal health field, I am passionate about
the treatments that I am working on at Nexvet.
It is wonderful to be part of a team that is equally
as dedicated.”
Nexvet newsletter | Edition one
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Nexvet, Nexvet... read all about it
Media coverage
Nexvet has received two grants from Commercialisation Australia,
a Commonwealth government initiative.
Nexvet received an Initial Skills and Knowledge Grant in 2011 to assist in
business planning and more recently an Experienced Executives Grant that
helped facilitate the recruitment of Dr Rodin.
“Melbourne — based Nexvet is seeking investment to fund further
research and development of potential products.”
Gillian Tan — The Wall Street Journal
6 May, 2013
A pet interest: Mark Heffernan, Nexvet
Will Glasgow — Business Review Weekly
1 November, 2012
Furry revenge: Humans become guinea pigs for pets
Richard Noon — The Daily Telegraph
1 November, 2012
Arthritis drug for dogs on trial at the University of Adelaide
Companion Animal Health Centre.
Clare Peddie — The Advertiser
22 November, 2012
Veterinary start-up Nexvet seals $2.5 million seed round
Michelle Hammond — Startup Smart
19 September, 2012
Upcoming company presentations & meeting attendance
May 15-16
May 23
June 3-5
July 20-21
Nexvet newsletter | Edition one
Informa Life Sciences R&D in Veterinary Medicine, London
Three Tickers, Twenty Minutes, K&L Gates, Melbourne
Asia Biotech Invest, Hong Kong
Bioshares Investment Summit, Queenstown, New Zealand
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