NovaVive Inc., an animal health immunobiology company, today announced that its immunotherapeutic for the treatment of equine endometritis, Settle®, has been approved for sale to New Zealand veterinarians by the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines agency (ACVM). This product has previously received regulatory approval for sale to veterinarians in the U.S. and Australia.
Settle is a potent immunomodulator that is manufactured using the NovaVive Mycobacterium Cell Wall Fraction (MCWF) technology. It is approved as an aid in the treatment of equine endometritis caused by Streptococcus zooepidemicus, the hardest to treat cause of the disease.
Endometritis is an important disease with significant economic impact to the horse industry, and this condition is a contributing factor in preventing a broodmare from becoming pregnant. It is estimated that up to 43% of broodmares worldwide are affected by endometritis. Mares can be classified as resistant or susceptible according to their ability to clear uterine fluid within 48 hours of breeding or bacterial inoculation. These mares are usually older or barren with a history of endometritis. The most commonly used treatment is antibiotics, but the use of medically important human antibiotics is of concern in the treatment of some of these mares.
“In an era when antimicrobial (antibiotic) resistance in bacteria is a serious concern in both animals and humans, responsible veterinarians are seeking alternative therapies to treat infectious disease,” said Dr. Stan Alkemade, Chief Veterinary Scientific Officer of NovaVive Inc. “Settle has been used successfully in the treatment of equine endometritis for a number of years in the U.S. and Australia, proving both effective and safe. It is approved for both intravenous and intrauterine administration, providing the veterinarian with treatment options.”
Studies have shown that a single dose of Settle – as solo therapy – can help resolve a broodmare’s uterine infection and the damaging inflammation it causes, usually resulting in a successful pregnancy.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.