Summit VetPharm is headquartered in Fort Lee, New Jersey and was founded by veterinarians and experienced industry professionals who share a deep respect for companion animals and veterinarians. Julia Stephanus, President and CEO of Summit VetPharm, has more than 25 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry where she has been closely involved in the commercial development and launch of breakthrough animal health care drugs such as Rimadyl(R) and Revolution(R).
"Mr. Isohata's leadership and talents will complement Ms. Stephanus' experience and knowledge in the industry and will be invaluable to Summit VetPharm as they continue to grow as a company and expand their product line," said Mr. Tatsuya Suto, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the SCOA Chemical Group. "He brings both high-level operational experience and a good understanding of the animal healthcare market."
Members of the Summit VetPharm management team include, Dr. Albert H. Ahn, DVM, Senior Director of Veterinary Services, with a 12 year career in the animal health industry working on major brands such as Heartgard(R) and the launch of Frontline(R); Monique Schwartz, Director of Marketing, with more than 27 years sales and marketing experience in animal health and parasiticides, having worked on the launch of Heartgard and Revolution; and Bruce Truman, Senior Director of Sales and Customer Service, with 15 years experience working with several major animal health care companies managing leading brands such as Frontline and Revolution.
With a deep understanding of veterinarians and their needs, Summit VetPharm is uniquely focused on servicing professional veterinarians and their staff by providing innovative new products exclusive to veterinarians; veterinarian-friendly policies and procedures; high-performance, well-trained representatives; data and continuous education to support its products and in- depth knowledge of pet owners and their decision-making process. Summit VetPharm also provides education for the veterinary healthcare team, including continuing education, clinical research articles, and veterinary school programs. Summit VetPharm's commitment to the veterinary-client-patient relationship is further reinforced by their Bloodhound(TM) tracking technology - an innovative, proprietary track and trace system which prohibits diversion of products into sales channels outside of the veterinarian clinic.
With a focus on serving the veterinary community, Summit VetPharm plans to offer a range of unique and valued products and services that will help veterinary practices in the U.S.
For instance, seeing a need to address the issue of growing resistance among fleas and ectoparasites to current insecticide products on the market, Summit VetPharm's first product is an innovative new ectoparasiticide and includes Dinotefuran, a new third-generation neonicotinoid active that has remarkable "speed of kill" and will help combat resistance. In late September, Summit VetPharm introduced Vectra 3D(TM), a new broad-spectrum topical combining Dinotefuran with a pyrethroid and an insect growth regulator (IGR) in a formula that effectively protects dogs against three vectors - fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. The company's studies show that Vectra 3D delivers efficacy of at least 30 days. Vectra 3D's new insecticide is colorless, odor free, non-greasy, quick-drying and water- resistant.
"Ectoparasites have never been exposed to this new molecule," according to Dr. Albert Ahn. The original research work on Vectra 3D was conducted by the founding employees of Summit VetPharm who are all veterinary professionals. The development work was funded by Sumitomo Corporation and all registrations and patents are now owned by Summit VetPharm. Vectra 3D, containing Dinotefuran was developed exclusively for the veterinary channel. With the exclusive rights to Vectra 3D and Dinotefuran in the companion animal market Summit VetPharm holds the EPA Registration No. 83399-6 for Vectra 3D, and is the sole owner of the federal and state registrations and all patents associated with the Vectra 3D product.
In studies conducted both in the laboratory and in the field, Vectra 3D has shown no clinically significant treatment-related adverse events, and exhibits a rapid knockdown effect.
"Vectra 3D has demonstrated remarkable speed of kill and reinfestation protection in all weight ranges of dogs," according to Dr. Ahn. Vectra 3D kills 96 percent of adult fleas within six hours, 100% within 12 hours, repels other fleas from attaching to the dog and prevents development of flea eggs, larvae and pupae. It also repels and kills four species of ticks (Black- legged Deer tick, Brown Dog tick, American Dog tick and Gulf Coast tick) and three species of mosquitoes (Culex spp., Ochlerotatus spp. and Aedes spp.)
"With the increased threat of vector borne diseases, the ability to kill and repel these parasites is extremely important. Vectra 3D kills the vectors that can cause Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, bartonellosis, hepatozoonosis, tapeworm and heartworm disease," explains Dr. Ahn.
"The last decade has seen remarkable advancements in animal healthcare, and Summit VetPharm looks to further extend the range of beneficial veterinary pharmaceutical options for companion animals", said Stephanus. "Summit will provide novel products and services which will enhance the veterinarian- client-patient relationship and help companion animal veterinary professionals grow their practices."
"Companion animal healthcare is the driving force behind the research and development of new products at Summit VetPharm," says Stephanus.
Besides being the first topical product on the market that effectively eliminates three types of parasites with the total protection of a flea IGR for at least a month, Vectra 3D is gentle enough for puppies seven weeks of age.
Vectra 3D also features a first-of-its-kind patented applicator that veterinarians and pet owners will appreciate. No other company offers the unique easy-to-open applicator that Vectra 3D has which features an elongated tip that makes it quick and easy to apply to a dog's skin through the hair coat. The one-piece applicator has no cap and requires no scissors to open, and eliminates splash back and spilling. The rounded tip also minimizes risk of skin abrasions.
Summit VetPharm is committed to ensuring that Vectra 3D is dispensed only through licensed veterinarians through its new Bloodhound(TM) Technology and any veterinarian interested in selling Vectra 3D is required to sign a written agreement that helps the company maintain the integrity of its products through a secure distribution channel, as well as, guarding against the growing problem of diversion and counterfeiting.
"By securing our supply chain, we are able to protect the veterinary professional, maintain authenticity of our products, and enhance the role of veterinarians in the lives of the animals they treat," states Stephanus.
In addition to its own national sales team, Summit VetPharm also recently announced a co-promotion agreement with Abbott Animal Health for the sales of the Vectra line of products.
Additionally, the company has signed distribution agreements with the following wholesale veterinary distributors: Henry Schein/NLS Animal Health, Midwest Veterinary Supply, Inc., Merritt Veterinary Supplies, Inc., Victor Medical Company, Northeast Veterinary Supply Company (NEVSCO), Associated Medical Supply, Great Western Animal Health Supply, Inc., and Sanum Puerto Rico.
