New Approval for Metacam^® 20mg/mL in Pigs for Locomotor Disorders

Burlington, ON, January 2014 - Boehringer Ingelheim’s market leading Animal Health medication Metacam^® 20 mg/mL (active ingredient: meloxicam) has obtained approval of a new swine claim for reducing clinical signs of lameness and inflammation in pigs suffering from non-infectious locomotor disorders.

The marketing authorization was granted based on a study by G. M. Friton entitled, “Investigation on the clinical efficacy and safety of meloxicam (Metacam) in the treatment of non-infectious locomotor disorders in pigs.” 1 The study results demonstrated that an intramuscular injection of meloxicam (Metacam^®) administered at 0.4 mg/kg bodyweight is efficacious and safe for the treatment of non-infectious locomotor disorders in pigs which results in significant improvement in feed intake, behavior and clinical condition. Metacam^® 20, with its exceptional safety profile provides a considerable contribution and value to the protection of performance, and well-being in pigs suffering from lameness.

Metacam^® is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug of the oxicam class. It is a potent NSAID given as a single injection of 2.0mL/100kg bodyweight by the IM route. It can be repeated after 24 hours if considered clinically necessary, and has a 5-day slaughter withdrawal for pigs. Metacam^® was first launched for pigs in 2003, and is now licensed in over 40 countries around the world.

For more information about Metacam^® 20, contact your veterinarian, or e-mail Eldon Hartwick with Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. at eldon.hartwick@boehringer-ingelheim.com.

Boehringer Ingelheim

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 145 affiliates and more than 44,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

As a central element of its culture, Boehringer Ingelheim pledges to act socially responsible. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim’s endeavors.

In 2012, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about 14.7 billion euro. R&D expenditure in the business area Prescription Medicines corresponds to 22.5% of its net sales.

For additional information on Metacam 20 for pigs, please feel free to contact Eldon Hartwick at eldon.hartwick@boehringer-ingelheim.com.