Business
Collaboration to develop treatment for sweet itch
Animalcare Group plc has entered into an agreement with 272Bio Limited to develop and commercialize a novel biological treatment for "sweet itch," a common equine skin condition affecting an estimated 8% of horses globally. The collaboration aims to address the significant unmet need for effective treatments in a global market estimated to be worth between €150m and €200m annually. The program is in its early stages, focusing on preclinical research to achieve proof of concept within the next 18-24 months, leveraging Animalcare's partnership with 272Bio and their antibody technology. Disclaimer*
About this update from Animalcare Group Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\nAnimalcare Group plc\n(\"Animalcare\" or the \"Group\" or the \"Company\")\n \nCollaboration to develop innovative treatment for equine dermatological condition \"sweet itch\"\nProgramme targets significant unmet need in global equine health market\n \n24 September 2025. Animalcare Group plc (AIM: ANCR) today announces that it has entered into an agreement to develop and commercialise a novel biological treatment for a common equine skin condition, known as \"sweet itch\", in collaboration with 272Bio Limited (\"272Bio\"), a specialist in antibody technology. Sweet itch affects an estimated c8% of horses globally and there is a significant unmet need and demand for more effective treatments which today largely comprise topical applications. The annual addressable market is estimated to be worth between €150m - €200m globally1. The programme is at an early stage and will initially focus on preclinical research with the aim of achieving proof of concept over the next 18-24 months. \n \nThis collaboration leverages the Group's recently announced partnership with 272Bio, following the acquisition of the VHH NGF antibody programme from Orthros Medical. The agreement grants Animalcare access to 272Bio's half life extension technology and significant experience in antibody development, furthering the Group's strategy to bring to market a pipeline of innovative products to drive sustainable medium and long-term growth.\n \nThis licence agreement and research collaboration is another exciting step forward in the development of its equine franchise, which was enhanced in Q1 2025 with the acquisition of Randlab, an exclusively equine focussed business based in Australia.\nJenny Winter, Chief Executive Officer of Animalcare Group plc said: \"This is an exciting step forward in our long-term strategy, building our equine franchise and establishing a pipeline of innovative products that bring benefits to horses in large and growing segments of the market. This collaboration also strengthens our partnership with 272Bio, who are specialists in the antibody field, and we look forward to working closely with them on this development.\"\n \nCharles Owen, Chief Executive Officer of 272Bio Limited said: \"We are excited to collaborate further with Animalcare as they expand their innovative antibody portfolio. 272Bio...