Dechra pays £5.1m for lameness drug

Dechra has bought the worldwide rights, excluding Canada, to HY-50 from Bexinc Limited.

HY-50 is used for intravenous treatment of lameness in horses caused by joint dysfunc- tion.

Ian Page, Dechra’s chief executive, said: “This product acquisition further strengthens our specialist equine portfolio and will be earnings enhancing in the first full year of ownership.”

Dechra, which has its Dale Pharmaceuticals division in Skipton where it makes drugs for pets and humans, said HY-50 is currently approved and marketed by various companies in the UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Italy, Germany and Spain.

Registrations are being prepared for France and Switzerland.

Dechra already markets the product in the UK as the marketing rights were acquired as part of the Genitrix acquisition announced last month.

Marketing rights for all other territories return to Dechra by July 2013.