http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...efer=australia
Australia & New Zealand
Peptech Begins Dog Contraceptive Sales; Shares Gain (Update1)
Dec. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Peptech Ltd., an Australian biotechnology company, started selling its Suprelorin dog contraceptive in Australia, which may help it win approval from the U.S. and Europe, home to a potential market of 86 million pets.
The drug is implanted under the skin between a dog's shoulders and is reversible, the Sydney-based company said in a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange. The implant removes the need for dog owners to have their pets castrated.
``Some male owners, particularly those with `macho' breeds of dogs, are not keen to castrate their pets,'' Tim Trigg, the managing director of Peptech's Animal Health unit said in the statement. ``Suprelorin provides the advantages of castration without resorting to surgery.''
Peptech shares rose 6 cents, or 3.3 percent, to A$1.86 at 10:07 a.m. in Sydney.
Approval to sell in Australia and New Zealand is part of Peptech's plans to access a global market in animal contraceptives for owners seeking alternatives to surgery.
Peptech estimates there are 4 million pet dogs in Australia, with more than 400,000 puppies born each year, the world's highest rate of dog ownership per household.
The Suprelorin implant releases a hormone that prevents the production of sex hormones and eliminates testosterone levels. Trials show fertility levels return when the treatment is stopped, the company said.
Suprelorin is being expanded for use in female dogs and other species including elephants, lions, cheetahs, monkeys and dolphins, the company said.
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12/02
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