Collaboration to develop treatment for sweet itch
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Animalcare Group plc
("Animalcare" or the "Group" or the "Company")
Collaboration to develop innovative treatment for equine dermatological condition "sweet itch"
Programme targets significant unmet need in global equine health market
24 September 2025. Animalcare Group plc (AIM: ANCR) today announces that it has entered into an agreement to develop and commercialise a novel biological treatment for a common equine skin condition, known as "sweet itch", in collaboration with 272Bio Limited ("272Bio"), a specialist in antibody technology. Sweet itch affects an estimated c8% of horses globally and there is a significant unmet need and demand for more effective treatments which today largely comprise topical applications. The annual addressable market is estimated to be worth between €150m - €200m globally1. The programme is at an early stage and will initially focus on preclinical research with the aim of achieving proof of concept over the next 18-24 months.
This collaboration leverages the Group's recently announced partnership with 272Bio, following the acquisition of the VHH NGF antibody programme from Orthros Medical. The agreement grants Animalcare access to 272Bio's half life extension technology and significant experience in antibody development, furthering the Group's strategy to bring to market a pipeline of innovative products to drive sustainable medium and long-term growth.
This licence agreement and research collaboration is another exciting step forward in the development of its equine franchise, which was enhanced in Q1 2025 with the acquisition of Randlab, an exclusively equine focussed business based in Australia.
Jenny Winter, Chief Executive Officer of Animalcare Group plc said: "This is an exciting step forward in our long-term strategy, building our equine franchise and establishing a pipeline of innovative products that bring benefits to horses in large and growing segments of the market. This collaboration also strengthens our partnership with 272Bio, who are specialists in the antibody field, and we look forward to working closely with them on this development."
Charles Owen, Chief Executive Officer of 272Bio Limited said: "We are excited to collaborate further with Animalcare as they expand their innovative antibody portfolio. 272Bio brings proven expertise in therapeutic antibody discovery, development and manufacturing capabilities, having already achieved multiple successful proof of concepts. By combining our expertise with Animalcare's commercial strengths in equine health, we aim to develop a market-leading drug."
1. ANCR management estimate (utilising 3rd party equine population and medicalisation rates by country).
Enquiries
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Animalcare Group Plc Jenny Winter, Chief Executive Officer |
+44 (0)1904 487 687
communications@animalcaregroup.com
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Stifel (Nominated Advisor & Joint Broker) Ben Maddison, Jason Grossman, Francis North |
Tel: +44 (0)20 7710 7600
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Panmure Liberum (Joint Broker) Corporate Finance - Emma Earl, Freddy Crossley Corporate Broking - Rupert Dearden |
+44 (0)20 7886 2500 |
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Alma Strategic Communications |
+44 (0)20 3405 0205 |
About Animalcare
Animalcare Group plc is a UK AIM-listed international veterinary sales and marketing organisation. Animalcare operates in seven European countries as well as Australia, New Zealand and the UAE and exports to approximately 40 countries in Europe and worldwide. The Group is focused on bringing new and innovative products to market through its own development pipeline, partnerships and via acquisition.
For more information about Animalcare, please visit www.animalcaregroup.com
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