Press Releases
VIRBAC AND GREER JOIN FORCES TO HELP PUT IT ALL TOGETHER FOR ANIMAL DERMATOLOGY PATIENTS
FORT WORTH, Texas — Virbac and Greer, two of the world’s leading veterinary health companies, have formed an unprecedented alliance to help veterinarians every step of the way with allergy patients. With nearly 150 years of experience, Virbac and Greer have extensive and unique resources to help veterinarians with start-to-finish handling of dermatology cases, from easier diagnosis to accurate testing to lifetime management.
As one of the world’s largest laboratories dedicated exclusively to animal health, Virbac provides an expansive selection of dermatology products to relieve the symptoms of allergic dermatitis, infectious dermatitis, keratoseborrheic disorders and otitis externa. Greer is one of the largest U.S. providers of immunotherapy testing and treatment to veterinary dermatologists and teaching universities. Bringing these resources together will provide more veterinarians with a comprehensive combination of dermatology products, services and educational support to practitioners.
“We’re very enthusiastic about our new alliance with Virbac,” said Curtis L. Andrews, Executive Vice President of Commercial Operations at Greer. “Topical treatments can keep the allergic patient comfortable during diagnosis, food trials, skin or serum testing (when masking agents are removed), immunotherapy and flare-ups. The goal of this partnership is to help general practice veterinarians feel more prepared to educate pet owners and to manage allergy cases with confidence.”
Monique Schwartz, Vice President of Marketing at Virbac, agrees. “The joint effort is a great way to bring our different and complimentary strengths together to make dermatology casework easier for veterinarians.”
According to Greer Veterinary Product Manager Cody Mikeal and Virbac Marketing Manager Dena Ware, the primary objectives are to:
- Provide more dermatology educational resources for general practice veterinarians
- Raise awareness of appropriate diagnosing protocols
- Help general practitioners (and pet owners) manage allergies earlier and better
- Offer guidelines on when a referral may be the best option
Allergic cases can be extremely demanding, even for the most experienced practitioners. It’s important to set up expectations with pet owners early in the process and to prepare them with the facts: Often times, an accurate diagnosis will take time, and successful treatment requires lifelong management.
“I was delighted to hear that Virbac and Greer will be cooperating to promote treatment of allergy and other skin diseases,” said Douglas J. DeBoer, DVM, Diplomate ACVD, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin. “Both companies have a long history of supporting veterinary dermatology, and have been major supporters of educational initiatives and continuing education opportunities. Their product lines are complementary, and encompass everything from allergy diagnostic testing to multiple therapy modalities for dermatologic problems. Building awareness and fostering education in veterinary dermatology is an ‘everyone wins’ situation for the companies, for us, our patients, and for the veterinary pharmaceutical industry as a whole.”
VIRBAC — One of the World’s Largest Laboratories for Animal Health Virbac is a leading companion animal health company that believes a pet’s good health should be evident in its skin and coat. Virbac continually works to provide superior products addressing the needs of dogs and cats that both prevent and treat skin conditions. Virbac products are available to pet owners exclusively through a veterinarian. Virbac Animal Health offers veterinary products under the names of Soloxine®, C.E.T.® Home Dental Care, the Virbac line of dermatology products, IVERHART MAX® and IVERHART PLUS ®, and Preventic.® For more information about Virbac and the company’s products, please visit www.virbacvet.com.
GREER — Devoted to Allergy Immunotherapy Greer is a leading developer and provider of allergy immunotherapy products and services for treating humans and animals. Greer is one of the largest U.S. providers of immunotherapy testing and treatment to veterinary dermatologists and teaching universities. Greer’s expert scientists provide technical support for customers by continuing to focus on improving the lives of allergic patients. The company was founded in 1904, and is located in Lenoir, N.C. For more information, visit www.greerlabs.com.
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Greer® Background
History With an eye toward the future while embracing our proud history, Greer is devoted to allergy immunotherapy. As a trusted developer and provider of allergy products and services for treating humans and animals, Greer is a leader in allergy innovation. Greer’s Research & Development (R&D) programs are focused on supporting and expanding the use of immunotherapy, the only treatment known to alter the course of the disease, through a variety of initiatives. Greer‘s veterinary business is one of the largest U.S. providers of immunotherapy testing and treatment to veterinary dermatologists and teaching universities. Greer was founded in 1904. The company is headquartered in Lenoir, N.C. and employs more than 200 people. The campus is located on 40 acres approximately 90 minutes north of downtown Charlotte and includes 157,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
Expertise Greer is one of the largest providers of allergy testing and immunotherapy products for veterinary practices in the United States. Greer offers an extensive line of allergy products for canine, feline and equine patients including allergenic extracts for intradermal testing and in-office prescription formulation, as well as regionally specific serology testing and customized immunotherapy compounding.
Focus Greer’s Aller-g-complete combines regionally specific testing with customized treatment recommendations and onsite immunotherapy formulation. Aller-g-complete treats the underlying cause of atopic dermatitis. The simple serum test makes it easy to accurately detect allergen-specific IgE and confidently prescribe allergen-specific immunotherapy.
Our Commitment Greer is committed to advancing the treatment of allergies and providing the best service to customers. We continue to cultivate new relationships, enhance executive management and scientific staff, and make substantial research and development advances. Customer service is a hallmark of Greer, a focus that has not changed in more than 100 years. We take pride in giving every customer the time and focus needed to answer their questions, formulate customized solutions and provide qualified technical assistance.
Our Quality Greer pledges to manufacture and market products that consistently exceed the expectations of customers and the applicable regulatory requirements. Greer strives to be the most admired immunotherapy company in the world. Never satisfied with the status quo, Greer prides itself on the design and implementation of effective quality processes that support business and customer objectives.
For more information • 877-777-1080 • veterinary@greerlabs.com • www.greerlabs.com
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Virbac Background
“Pets, just like people, suffer from allergies. Unlike people, however, pets’ allergies usually appear as skin disease. Both cases require a lifelong commitment to management of the disease.” — Virbac Derm University
History Founded in 1968, Virbac began its U.S. operations in 1987. Within 40 years, Virbac has become a worldwide reference in the animal health sector, ranking 8th in the global veterinary market.
- Founded by French veterinarian Pierre-Richard Dick (2004 Veterinarian of the Year)
- Manufactures numerous leading products for advanced veterinary care, including Genesis® Topical Spray, IVERHART PLUS® heartworm preventive, C.E.T. Dental Products, and Soloxine® Levothyroxine Tablets
- Rapid international expansion has created 26 subsidiaries around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and Mexico
Expertise Virbac is the first independent worldwide laboratory dedicated exclusively to animal health.
- Recognized as one of the world’s innovators and leaders in dermatology
- Patented Glycotechnology to prevent bacteria and yeast from adhering to skin
- Patented Spherulites,® a breakthrough in specific encapsulation technology
- Develops, makes and distributes a complete range of products and services for the relief of dermatological conditions
- Created Derm University, an online, interactive resource to provide educational access for dermatology topics
Focus As an animal health specialist, Virbac supports the mission of heightening awareness of animal health and well-being.
- Initiates and organizes specific training for veterinarians and the general public — committed to making dermatology a priority
- Dedicated to raising awareness about the multiple options for relief available for allergy patients
- Expertise, products and support to help general practitioners (and pet owners) manage allergies from diagnosis and testing to long-term treatment
- Principal sponsor of the ACVD Research Foundation
For more information, contact Dena Ware, Virbac Marketing Manager • 682-647-3511 • dena.ware@virbacus.com
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