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Stem cell treatment a ‘breakthrough’ for equine lameness
“Arti-Cell® Forte contains stem cells that have been chondrogenically induced and therefore primed to develop into the cartilage cell lineage".
Arti-Cell Forte is the first stem cell-based medicine to receive marketing authorisation

The first stem cell-based medicine to receive marketing authorisation for the treatment of equine lameness has been launched by Boehringer Ingelheim.

Hailed as a ‘breakthrough medicine’ for degenerative joint disease in horses, Arti-Cell Forte is the first ‘ready-to-use’ stem cell-based product to be licensed in any veterinary species. It is also the only stem cell treatment to contain induced cells, marking a significant step in stem cell therapies and medicine as a whole.

“Arti-Cell® Forte contains stem cells that have been chondrogenically induced and therefore primed to develop into the cartilage cell lineage,” explained DR Amy Scott MRCVS, Boehringer Ingehlheim’s performance horse portfolio manager.

“Studies have shown that chondrogenically induced stem cells demonstrate an enhanced clinical outcome compared to un-induced stem cells in the treatment of joint disease in horses. This makes Arti-Cell® Forte a highly targeted and effective treatment for cartilage damage associated with degenerative joint disease.”

The medicine is available to veterinary practitioners direct from Boehringer Ingelheim. It is stored at ultra-low temperatures to maintain its two-year shelf life, either frozen at -70 ⁰C to -90 ⁰C (dry ice, -80 ⁰C freezer) or -196 ⁰C (liquid nitrogen) until immediately before injecting. 

Full training on storage and administration of the medicine is available from the Boehringer via face-to-face CPD at practice meetings or specific CPD events. For more information about these events, email vetenquiries@boehringer-ingelheim.com 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.