Veterinary patents: innovations in animal health and technology

The veterinary sector is a thriving area of innovation, driven by the global rise in companion animal ownership and an increasing emphasis on the welfare of animals, whether they be companion animals, working animals, or livestock. As a nation of animal lovers, the UK, and indeed many other countries, are seeing a surge in spending on animals, both in terms of care and in advancing veterinary science. In total, the UK’s expenditure on pets and related products is currently estimated to reach around £8bn per year; a 150% increase in pet spending over the last 20 years. With the rapid growth and competitive nature of this sector, it is no surprise that companies are keen to secure robust patent protection for their innovative products and technologies. This article provides examples of recent innovations in the veterinary sector, including developments in the often diverse fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, nutrition, telemedicine, and AI.

Biotechnology

The field of biotechnology in veterinary medicine continues to rapidly evolve, offering new tools and approaches to improve animal health. One recent development, described in WO2024038251A1, filed by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), is a method of screening a dog for its predisposition to diabetes mellitus, a disease that is not only prevalent in humans, but occurs in approximately 1 in 300 dogs. However, while the underlying genetic and pathophysiological basis of the disease in humans is well-characterised, the basis of canine diabetes mellitus is not yet fully understood. Recently, however, the RVC identified a missense mutation in the canine KCNJ11 gene as a monogenic cause of diabetes mellitus in dogs, and reasoned that it could be effectively used to screen a dog for its predisposition to diabetes mellitus, or to provide early diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Furthermore, identification of this specific genetic mutation can be used to determine the likelihood of a dog producing offspring that, too, are genetically predisposed to the disease, so that certain affected individuals can be excluded from the breeding pool. This kind of innovation highlights the intersection between genetic research and veterinary medicine, offering a new way to pre-emptively address health issues in companion animals.

Another recent development in the veterinary sector lies in the field of antibody therapy. Antibodies are increasingly being used in human medicine to treat various diseases, including cancers, immune-related diseases, and haematological diseases, with the number of approved human antibody therapies currently exceeding 160, and with many more in late-stage clinical development. In contrast, the use of antibodies in veterinary medicine is still very much in its infancy, because although some human medicines can be easily applied in animals, monoclonal antibody therapy is highly species-specific. Antibodies can be engineered to adopt different forms, such as bispecific antibodies, which simultaneously bind two different antigens to impart their therapeutic effect, though a problem with manufacturing bispecific antibodies is low yield. PetMedix, however, have found that mutating certain residues in the CH3 domain of canine antibodies facilitates the production and increases the yield of desired bispecific antibodies, as described in WO2021214460A1. This innovation underscores how the techniques used in human biotechnology are being translated into the veterinary sector, offering new and improved therapies, and enhancing the effectiveness of care that is available to animals.

Pharmaceuticals

The pharmaceutical field in veterinary medicine is also evolving quickly, with companies increasingly focusing on creating specialised, effective treatments that can meet the growing demands of animal health care. The development of new pharmaceuticals is a cornerstone of both human and veterinary innovation, one example of which is anti-infective agents, such as antibiotics. Unlike species-specific antibodies, however, infections arising in humans and animals from the same bacterial strain may be treated with the same antibiotic. Worryingly, the use of such antibiotics in animals can lead to the development of bacterial strains that are resistant to the antibiotic, causing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and zoonotic transfer of such resistant strains to humans can then render existing human therapies ineffective. One group has discovered a veterinary topical formulation which reduces the zoonotic transfer of resistant bacterial strains, as well as resistance genes, from animals to humans. WO2019058268A1, filed by Omnipharm Developments, describes topical veterinary formulations comprising an antibiotic and a halogenated salicylanilide, which exhibit improved minimum inhibitory concentrations, and offer improved potency of the antibiotic and lower rates of resistance development.

Another advancement in veterinary pharmaceuticals is the development of a composition for use in treating an endocrine disorder in equids, namely pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), clinical signs of which include weight loss, muscle atrophy, lethargy, and concurrent infectious diseases. It has previously been suggested that increasing the pool of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)+, an essential cofactor involved in many cellular processes including energy metabolism and aging, could help to improve the clinical signs associated with PPID, and potentially slow progression of the disorder. A group at Mars has discovered that a composition comprising niacin, a vitamin B3-related NAD precursor, or combinations thereof, may be used to effectively treat PPID, as described in WO2024130207.

Whilst new and improved medicines are being produced to improve the health of animals, it is essential that they can be easily administered. In some cases, formulation of a drug into an edible medication can increase acceptance, particularly by animals that resist swallowing tablets which may have an unpleasant taste. One group has developed a soft, chewable tablet exhibiting increased stability and shelf-life, efficacy, and palatability, thereby increasing compliance. As described in WO2020172232A1, filed by Zoetis, such a composition contains a therapeutically effective amount of any veterinary active agent, and both animal- and non-animal based palatants. The significance of this innovation lies in its approach to providing favourable administration to the animal and their improved compliance.

Nutrition

Further to improving palatability, innovations are being developed in the pet food sector to provide optimal nutritional content to companion animals at various stages in life. Like human babies, puppies require adapted dietary compositions to support increased energy and tissue-building requirements. Some commercial diets indicated for growth, however, can contain allergens that cause adverse immune reactions in young animals. WO2024076752, filed by Mars, describes a hypoallergenic, nutritionally complete food composition including ingredients that are formulated to prevent or minimise the risk of adverse food reactions, and to support the development and growth of a companion animal, especially a puppy.

Telemedicine

As with human medicine, telemedicine is becoming an increasingly important tool in veterinary care, providing remote consultation and diagnosis, and expanding access to veterinary services. For example, WO2020061044A1, filed by Vet24seven, describes a method for providing animal-related services or products using a cloud-connected device that supports voice detection and response. This innovation represents a step forward in the modernisation and digital transformation of veterinary care, allowing for more accessible and efficient service delivery, particularly in remote or underserved areas.

The potential for telemedicine in the veterinary sector is vast. It not only offers convenience to companion animal owners, but also provides a way for livestock managers or zoo personnel to monitor and manage the health, feeding, and medication of animals on a large scale.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a transformative force in veterinary medicine, particularly in the area of diagnostics. Heart disease is common in dogs and cats, but current methods of detection often involve an ECG, X-ray, ultrasound, and/or blood tests to identify cardiac damage, which can be expensive, invasive, and traumatic for the animal. In contrast, microRNA (miRNA) profiles of biofluids, which may be easily and painlessly obtained from an animal, are believed to harbour substantial amounts of information and may have the potential to act as biomarkers. In addition, miRNA profiles are conserved across species. WO2022053811A1, filed by SRUC, describes a method for detecting heart disease in a subject, which may be a human or animal, by analysing miRNA expression levels and using AI models to predict the disease condition. More specifically, the AI models compare the miRNA expression levels with a pre-determined reference level characteristic of a non-diseased subject, to provide a diagnosis and/or prognosis of the disease. This approach exemplifies the growing use of AI to enhance diagnostics and prognostics, as well as how a single innovation can be effectively translated across species.

AI-driven technologies in both human and veterinary medicine are still in their early stages, but the potential applications are extensive. As AI technology continues to advance, it is likely that we will see yet more sophisticated tools being developed to diagnose and treat animal diseases.

Conclusions

The examples discussed above highlight the diverse range of innovations in the veterinary sector, from biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and nutrition to telemedicine and AI. As the veterinary sector continues to expand, driven by increasing global demand for animal care, the role of intellectual property will remain essential, and companies that secure patents for their inventions will be better positioned to lead the market. As well as improving the health and well-being of animals, the veterinary health innovations being developed today may also have the exciting potential to impact human medicine, demonstrating the interconnectedness of these fields.

Venner Shipley has a number of skilled attorneys with specialist expertise in veterinary patents. Whatever the nature of the innovation, we’re equipped to handle the diverse needs of clients in the animal health space. To discuss with one of our experts, contact us here.