Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 8th December 2020
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Anifera introduces new board members
The Board members are experienced animal health and pharmaceutical professionals.
“We’re very pleased by the strong team we’ve assembled to lead the business” - Dr Gwynneth Thomas.

New animal health firm Anifera has announced the appointment of four experienced animal health and pharmaceutical professionals to its board.

Anifera aims to be the innovator and leader in researching and developing solutions for adjunct therapy with antibiotics. The company was formed by Swiss-based Stonehaven Incubate and Agile Sciences in September 2020. 

The new Board members include Tony Benitz, Mark Heffernan, Malcolm Thomas and Simon Wheeler, each of which has extensive knowledge of the animal health sector.

Stonehaven Incubate Venture partner, Dr Gwynneth Thomas, said: “We’re very pleased by the strong team we’ve assembled to lead the business. As well as their extensive experience, they possess a range of complementary skills. They are excited by the opportunities Anifera’s technology provides in the livestock and companion animal industries and are looking forward to leading the company to success.” 

Benitz joins the Board following a 35-year career in animal health where he served in senior roles in research and development in several companies, including Global Head of R&D for Pharmacia Animal Health and Novartis Animal Health. A senior advisor at Stonehaven Consulting, his experience includes bringing a range of new therapeutics and vaccines for animals to the market and working closely with regulatory agencies in numerous international markets.

Heffernan is is the CEO of Stonehaven Incubate and has spent almost two decades as co-founder and CEO in private and public companies. He is experienced in human biotechnology start-ups and animal health R&D companies, building successful global teams to execute drug discovery and development and raising more than $150m in private and public capital.

Before his role as CEO of Agile Sciences, Thomas was president and CEO of Arbovax, a biotechnology company commercialising technology that can be used to make vaccines against insect-borne viral diseases. He has held roles including vice president of operations for StemCo Biomedical and director of international marketing for Bayer Biologicals. 

The CEO of animal diagnostics company, Vetsina, Wheeler is a veterinary surgeon and strategic leader with more than 20 years’ experience in the global animal health industry. He has reached senior positions in clinical veterinary academia in the UK and US, lecturing at international meetings, conducting research, and publishing three books, more than 125 articles and mentoring trainees.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.