Fri, 22 Aug 2025 | BUSINESS SALE
York-based Animalcare Group plc has expanded its pipeline of innovative treatments with the acquisition of the VHH NGF research programme and associated assets. The deal represents what the company describes as “key building blocks” in its long-term growth strategy.
The VHH NGF programme, previously licensed from Orthros Medical in 2022, has now been fully acquired following the termination of that agreement. Animalcare purchased the assets for a cash consideration of €700,000.
Jenny Winter, chief executive of Animalcare Group, said: “The acquisition of the VHH NGF programme and our new partnership with 272Bio are important steps in our growth journey. They enhance our ability to deliver a pipeline of innovative treatments, build our future pain portfolio, and respond to evolving customer needs in the global animal health market.”
The research focuses on developing antibodies to treat pain caused by osteoarthritis in horses and dogs. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain in animals, significantly impacting welfare and quality of life. If successful, the programme could complement Daxocox, Animalcare’s COX-2 inhibitor already approved for managing osteoarthritis-related pain in dogs.
Ownership of the assets gives Animalcare greater flexibility to expand the programme into other species and conditions where nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a role, broadening the company’s potential market. This move reflects a wider trend in the animal health industry, where demand for advanced pain management solutions is increasing as pet ownership rises and veterinary care becomes more sophisticated.
Alongside the acquisition, Animalcare has also entered a new partnership with 272Bio, a company specialising in VHH antibody technology. This collaboration is expected to accelerate development and open opportunities to apply VHH platforms across a wider range of therapeutic areas.
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