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EMA committee recommends first stem cell-based veterinary medicine
Arti-cell Forte is recommended for use in horses with mild to moderate lameness related to joint inflammation.
Arti-cell Forte indicated for use in horses with lameness

The first stem cell-based veterinary medicine has been recommended for marketing authorisation in the European Union by The European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products (CVMP).

Arti-cell Forte is recommended for use in horses with mild to moderate lameness related to joint inflammation. It is available as a suspension for injection and is given as a single injection into the affected joint.

In a press release, the EMA said the stem cells in the medicine are treated so they develop towards cartilage cells. This can then help to repair damaged cartilage in the joint.

‘In a field study conducted in horses with lameness of the fetlock joint, Arti-Cell Forte showed a statistically significant improvement in the horses treated with the medicine compared with a placebo control group six weeks after treatment,’ the EMA writes. ‘The positive effect of treatment was sustained over one year.’

Common side effects of the medicine reported in the study were mild increase in lameness and injection site reactions in the week following treatment.

The CVMP’s recommendation will now be passed on to the European Commission for a decision on an EU-wide marketing authorisation. 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.