Antech™ Expands Vector-Borne Disease Portfolio with Enhanced Accuplex™ and Most Comprehensive PCR Panel to Date
Based on current testing data disseminated by the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), Antech scientists estimate that tens of millions of dogs in North America are not tested for exposure to CVBDs annually. As cases of canine heartworm disease and tick-borne pathogens continue to rise in both endemic and emerging regions, Antech is committed to expanded care for dogs being exposed to these serious diseases.
Enhanced Accuplex can now detect antibodies to three Ehrlichia species, and two Anaplasma species, alongside heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) antigen, and antibodies to confirm exposure to Lyme borreliosis (Borrelia burgdorferi). With the rising prevalence of tick-borne diseases across North America, this expanded detection capability ensures broader coverage and greater confidence in diagnostic results, ultimately supporting informed clinical decision-making.
Antech is also offering a new enhanced vector-borne disease PCR panel for dogs and cats to ensure veterinarians have comprehensive diagnostic offerings to meet emerging disease risks. While the traditional 'big four' vector-borne diseases (heartworm, Lyme borreliosis, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis) remain the most diagnosed in North America, rising cases and increased geographical spread of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, cytauxzoonosis, and others demand wider flexibility in testing. Antech's enhanced vector-borne disease PCR panel is unique in the industry in providing veterinarians with the most comprehensive array of vector-borne pathogens in the veterinary industry to date.
The launch of enhanced Accuplex and the comprehensive vector-borne disease PCR panel follows the March 2025 announcement of Antech's new patient-side vector-borne disease screening test, trūRapid™ FOUR, a lateral flow test using whole blood, serum, or plasma to detect heartworm antigen and the complete suite of tick-borne antibodies encompassed in the enhanced Accuplex reference lab offering.
Jimmy Barr, DVM, DACVECC, Chief Medical Officer for Mars Petcare's Science & Diagnostics division and Antech, said: 'Today, we celebrate our capability to offer veterinarians the flexibility to screen for these life-threatening vector-borne diseases with a complete portfolio of reference lab and in-house diagnostic offerings, meaning no other lab matches Antech in the breadth and depth of parasite and vector-borne diseases screening. The addition of two new Ehrlichia markers and one new Anaplasma marker to our Accuplex reference lab platform, as well as the launch of our PCR panel, will help ensure we can test more comprehensively for exposure to the most common vector-borne pathogens in North America.'
For more information, please visit antechdiagnostics.com.
Notes to editors
Key Features of enhanced Accuplex include:
Expanded Pathogen Detection: Accuplex now detects three Ehrlichia species and two Anaplasma species, increasing test sensitivity and allowing broader vector-borne disease screening across more regions.
Reference Lab Testing: Ensures reproducibility and reduces variability with highly trained technicians performing each assay.
Peace of Mind: Provides reliable and precise testing, fostering confidence among veterinarians and pet owners alike.
Key Features of enhanced Vector-Borne Disease PCR include:
Broader pathogen detection: This panel detects more vector-borne pathogens giving clinicians the best opportunity to identify the underlying cause of illness.
PCR vs. serology: While antibody production can lag behind infection, PCR is often the better choice for when VBD is suspected but not confirmed. It's also highly valuable when serology may miss early infection.
Common yet overlapping clinical signs: Vector-borne diseases frequently present with nonspecific or overlapping signs; improved PCR helps clarify these complex cases.
Resistance marker: The panel includes a new resistance marker, specifically detecting atovaquone resistance - a growing concern in the treatment of Babesia and Cytauxzoon infections. This supports responsible antimicrobial use and better-informed treatment decisions.
Antech at AVMA
Visit Antech at the AVMA Convention 2025 and the 40th World Veterinary Association Congress which will take place July 18-22, 2025 in Washington, D.C. to find out more about our vector-borne disease portfolio and to speak to a sales representative.
About Antech
Antech is a global veterinary diagnostics company, driven by our passion for innovation that helps veterinarians deliver better animal health outcomes. Our products and services span 90+ reference laboratories around the globe; in-house diagnostic laboratory instruments and consumables, including rapid assay diagnostic products and digital cytology services; local and cloud-based data services; practice information management software and related software and support; veterinary imaging and technology; veterinary professional education and training; and board-certified specialist support services.
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For more information, visit Important Notice For the purposes of this notice, 'press release' means this document, any oral presentation, any question-and-answer session and any written or oral material discussed or distributed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited ('Takeda') regarding this release. This press release (including any oral briefing and any question-and-answer in connection with it) is not intended to, and does not constitute, represent or form part of any offer, invitation or solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction. No shares or other securities are being offered to the public by means of this press release. No offering of securities shall be made in the United States except pursuant to registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. This press release is being given (together with any further information which may be provided to the recipient) on the condition that it is for use by the recipient for information purposes only (and not for the evaluation of any investment, acquisition, disposal or any other transaction). Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of applicable securities laws. The companies in which Takeda directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this press release, 'Takeda' is sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Takeda and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words 'we', 'us' and 'our' are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. Forward-Looking Statements This press release and any materials distributed in connection with this press release may contain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions regarding Takeda's future business, future position and results of operations, including estimates, forecasts, targets and plans for Takeda. Without limitation, forward-looking statements often include words such as 'targets', 'plans', 'believes', 'hopes', 'continues', 'expects', 'aims', 'intends', 'ensures', 'will', 'may', 'should', 'would', 'could', 'anticipates', 'estimates', 'projects', 'forecasts', 'outlook' or similar expressions or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements: the economic circumstances surrounding Takeda's global business, including general economic conditions in Japan and the United States and with respect to international trade relations; competitive pressures and developments; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including tax, tariff and other trade-related rules; challenges inherent in new product development, including uncertainty of clinical success and decisions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; uncertainty of commercial success for new and existing products; manufacturing difficulties or delays; fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates; claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates; the impact of health crises, like the novel coronavirus pandemic; the success of our environmental sustainability efforts, in enabling us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions or meet our other environmental goals; the extent to which our efforts to increase efficiency, productivity or cost-savings, such as the integration of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, in our business or other initiatives to restructure our operations will lead to the expected benefits; and other factors identified in Takeda's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and Takeda's other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available on Takeda's website at: or at Takeda does not undertake to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule. 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Solomon, MD, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Director, Clinical Trials Outcomes Center, Mass General Brigham, and Chair of the Executive Committee for the FINEARTS-HF study. 'Based on the clinical efficacy we saw in the FINEARTS-HF study, finerenone can become a new pillar of comprehensive care.' 'People with heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥40% face the very real possibilities of hospitalization for heart failure or CV death due to their disease,' 2,3 said Alanna Morris-Simon, MD, MSc, Senior Medical Director of U.S. Medical Affairs at Bayer. 'Even with current treatments, 21% of patients with symptomatic heart failure escalate to hospitalization for heart failure or CV death, 8 and 25% who experience hospitalization are readmitted due to heart failure within one year of discharge. 9 Now, as a core pillar of treatment, KERENDIA can help patients reduce these risks.' Since July 2021, KERENDIA has been approved to reduce the risk of CV death, hospitalization for HF, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline, and end-stage kidney disease in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D). 1 This new indication expands KERENDIA's established cardiovascular benefit to a new patient population not limited to CKD associated with T2D—adult patients with HF with LVEF ≥40%. 1 About FINEARTS-HF 10 The FINEARTS-HF trial, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, event-driven Phase III trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of KERENDIA for the reduction of risk of CV death and total HF events in patients with a diagnosis of symptomatic HF (New York Heart Association class II-IV) with an LVEF ≥40%, measured by local imaging within the last 12 months as well as receiving diuretic treatment for at least 30 days prior to randomization. The primary endpoint of FINEARTS-HF was the composite of CV death and total (first and recurrent) HF events, defined as hospitalizations for HF or urgent HF visits. Approximately 6,000 participants were randomized to receive either KERENDIA or placebo once daily for up to 42 months in addition to their background HF therapies. The FINEARTS-HF trial is part of KERENDIA's MOONRAKER program, which is expected to be one of the largest HF study programs to date. With more than 15,000 patients worldwide, MOONRAKER aims to establish a comprehensive body of evidence for KERENDIA across a broad spectrum of patients and clinical settings. 11 About KERENDIA's Clinical Trial Program KERENDIA's clinical trial program—called FINEOVATE—currently comprises 10 Phase III studies with dedicated programs in HF (MOONRAKER) and CKD (THUNDERBALL). The MOONRAKER program includes FINEARTS-HF as well as the ongoing, collaborative, investigator-sponsored studies REDEFINE-HF, 12 CONFIRMATION-HF 13 and FINALITY-HF. 14 The THUNDERBALL CKD program consists of the completed studies FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD as well as the ongoing investigational studies FIND-CKD, 15 FIONA, 16 FIONA-OLE, 17 and FINE-ONE. 18 About KERENDIA ® (finerenone) 1 INDICATIONS: KERENDIA (finerenone) is indicated to reduce the risk of: sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline, end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and hospitalization for heart failure in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) (10mg, 20mg tablets) cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, and urgent heart failure visits in adult patients with heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction (HF LVEF) ≥40% (10mg, 20mg, 40mg tablets) IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 1 CONTRAINDICATIONS: Hypersensitivity to any component of this product 1 Concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors 1 Patients with adrenal insufficiency 1 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS: Hyperkalemia: KERENDIA can cause hyperkalemia. The risk for developing hyperkalemia increases with decreasing kidney function and is greater in patients with higher baseline potassium levels or other risk factors for hyperkalemia. 1 Measure serum potassium and eGFR in all patients before initiation of treatment with KERENDIA and dose accordingly. Do not initiate KERENDIA if serum potassium is >5 mEq/L. Measure serum potassium periodically during treatment with KERENDIA and adjust dose accordingly. More frequent monitoring may be necessary for patients at risk for hyperkalemia, including those on concomitant medications that impair potassium excretion or increase serum potassium. 1 Worsening of Renal Function in Patients with Heart Failure: KERENDIA can cause worsening of renal function in patients with heart failure. Rarely, severe events associated with worsening renal function, including events requiring hospitalization, have been observed. 1 Measure eGFR in all patients before initiation of treatment or with dose titration of KERENDIA and dose accordingly. Initiation of KERENDIA in patients with heart failure and an eGFR <25 mL/min/1.73 m 2 is not recommended. Measure eGFR periodically during maintenance treatment with KERENDIA in patients with heart failure. Consider delaying up-titration or interrupting treatment with KERENDIA in patients who develop clinically significant worsening of renal function. 1 MOST COMMON ADVERSE REACTIONS: CKD associated with T2D: From the pooled data of FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD, the adverse reactions reported in ≥1% of patients on KERENDIA and more frequently than placebo were hyperkalemia (14% vs 6.9%), hypotension (4.6% vs 3%), and hyponatremia (1.3% vs 0.7%). 1 HF LVEF ≥40%: From FINEARTS-HF, the adverse reactions reported in ≥1% of patients on KERENDIA and more frequently than placebo were hyperkalemia (9.7% vs 4.2%), hypotension (7.6% vs 4.7%), and hyponatremia (1.9% vs 0.9%). 6 Events related to worsening renal function were reported more frequently in the KERENDIA group (18%) compared with placebo (12%). 1 DRUG INTERACTIONS: Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Concomitant use of KERENDIA with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors is contraindicated. Avoid concomitant intake of grapefruit or grapefruit juice. 1 Moderate and Weak CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Monitor serum potassium during drug initiation or dosage adjustment of either KERENDIA or the moderate or weak CYP3A4 inhibitor, and adjust KERENDIA dosage as appropriate. 1 Strong and Moderate CYP3A4 Inducers: Avoid concomitant use of KERENDIA with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers. 1 Sensitive CYP2C8 Substrates at KERENDIA 40mg: Monitor patients more frequently for adverse reactions caused by sensitive CYP2C8 substrates if KERENDIA 40mg is co-administered with such substrates, since minimal concentration changes may lead to serious adverse reactions. 1 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS: Lactation: Avoid breastfeeding during treatment with KERENDIA and for 1 day after treatment. 1 Hepatic Impairment: Avoid use of KERENDIA in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh C) and consider additional serum potassium monitoring with moderate hepatic impairment (Child Pugh B). 1 Please see the Prescribing Information for KERENDIA. About Bayer Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. In line with its mission, 'Health for all, Hunger for none,' the company's products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2024, the Group employed around 93,000 people and had sales of 46.6 billion euros. R&D expenses amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to Find more information at Follow us on Facebook: Follow us on X: @BayerPharma Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports, which are available on the Bayer website at The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments. 1 Bayer Pharmaceuticals. Kerendia (finerenone) [package insert]. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Available at: Accessed July 1, 2025. 2 Bozkurt B, Ahmad T, Alexander K, et al. HF STATS 2024: Heart Failure Epidemiology and Outcomes Statistics An Updated 2024 Report from the Heart Failure Society of America. J Card Fail. 2025;31(1):66-116. doi:10.1016/ 3 Huusko J, et al. ESC Heart Fail. 2020;7(5):2406-2417. doi:10.1002/ehf2.12792. 4 Kolkhof P, Jaisser F, Kim SY, Filippatos G, Nowack C, Pitt B. Steroidal and Novel Non-steroidal Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists in Heart Failure and Cardiorenal Diseases: Comparison at Bench and Bedside. Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2017;243:271-305. doi:10.1007/164_2016_76. Available at Accessed July 1, 2025. 5 Kolkhof P, Joseph A, Kintscher U. Nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism for cardiovascular and renal disorders - New perspectives for combination therapy. Pharmacol Res. 2021;172:105859. doi:10.1016/ Available at Accessed July 1, 2025. 6 Data on file. 7 Solomon SD, McMurray JJV, Vaduganathan M, et al. Finerenone in Heart Failure with Mildly Reduced or Preserved Ejection Fraction. N Engl J Med. 2024;391(16):1475-1485. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2407107. 8 Chatur S, Vaduganathan M, Claggett BL, et al. Outpatient Worsening Among Patients With Mildly Reduced and Preserved Ejection Fraction Heart Failure in the DELIVER Trial. Circulation. 2023;148(22):1735-1745. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.123.066506 9 Cheng RK, et al. Am Heart J. 2014;168(5):721-730. doi:10.1016/ 10 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Finerenone on Morbidity & Mortality in Participants With Heart Failure and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Greater or Equal to 40% (FINEARTS-HF). Clinical trial registration No. NCT 04435626. Accessed June 26, 2025. 11 Data on file. 12 A Study to Determine the Efficacy and Safety of Finerenone on Morbidity and Mortality Among Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients (REDEFINE-HF). Clinical trial registration No. NCT 06008197. Accessed March 10, 2025. 13 A Study to Determine the Efficacy and Safety of Finerenone and SGLT2i in Combination in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure (CONFIRMATION-HF) (CONFIRMATION). Clinical trial registration No. NCT06024746. Accessed March 10, 2025. 14 A Study to Evaluate Finerenone on Clinical Efficacy and Safety in Patients with Heart Failure Who are Intolerant or Not Eligible for Treatment with Steroidal Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists (FINALITY-HF). Clinical trial registration No. NCT06033950. Accessed March 10, 2025. 15 A Trial to Learn How Well Finerenone Works and How Safe it is in Adult Participants With Non-diabetic Chronic Kidney Disease (FIND-CKD). Clinical trial registration No. NCT05047263. Accessed March 10, 2025. 16 A Study to Learn More About How Well the Study Treatment Finerenone Works, How Safe it is, How it Moves Into, Through and Out of the Body, and the Effects it Has on the Body When Taken With an ACE Inhibitor or Angiotensin Receptor Blocker in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease and Proteinuria (FIONA). Clinical trial registration No. NCT05196035. Accessed March 10, 2025. 17 A Study to Learn More About How Safe the Study Treatment Finerenone is in Long-term Use When Taken With an ACE Inhibitor or Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Over 18 Months of Use in Children and Young Adults From 1 to 18 Years of Age With Chronic Kidney Disease and Proteinuria (FIONA OLE). Clinical trial registration No. NCT05457283. Accessed March 10, 2025. 18 A Study to Learn How Well the Study Treatment Finerenone Works and How Safe it is in People With Long-term Decrease in the Kidneys' Ability to Work Properly (Chronic Kidney Disease) Together With Type 1 Diabetes (FINE-ONE). Clinical trial registration No. NCT05901831. Accessed March 10, 2025. Expand
Business Wire
2 hours ago
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With post-marketing challenges, on top of high development costs, many biologics will not face biosimilar competition at the point of loss of exclusivity (LoE) within the next decade. The whitepaper proposes several measures to improve current practices that hinder healthy market competition and timely access to biosimilar medicines: Health Technology Assessment (HTA) needs to be tailored for biosimilars: With its origin in innovative medicine, HTA is a multidisciplinary process that evaluates the medical, social, economic, and ethical implications of health technologies. Some countries often have oversimplified HTA requirements for biosimilars, where reimbursement decisions are solely based on price comparisons and do not take into account biosimilars' additional benefits or where the reference biologic is not reimbursed. In many cases, HTA is relevant, but with limited guidance to properly assess the biosimilar's value. HTA can be more streamlined and tailored to speed up the entry of biosimilars to the market. In some countries, pricing and reimbursement (P&R) policies focus on achieving the lowest possible prices through mechanisms such as price linkage and reference pricing, thereby accelerating price erosion: Out of 28 European countries, 12 countries use external reference pricing methods and 17 countries mandate arbitrary discounts on biosimilar prices at an average of 28% below reference product. 2 Already set at significantly lower levels, biosimilar prices are driven further downward as competition begins, often leading to price erosion that drives players out of the market. Instead of arbitrary price-controls, free pricing will allow price discounts to be achieved naturally through free competition. Tenders often favor a single-winner system and tend to overlook broader qualitative factors such as supply stability and quality assurance: National, regional, and local tenders should support supply diversification and fair competition through multi-winner systems, with greater transparency in communication and more periodic tender reopenings so that late entrants are also given opportunities to participate. Security and stability of supply should be given higher priority in tenders to enhance demand predictability and incentivize manufacturers to secure more robust supply chains. Biosimilar uptake cannot be achieved without the support of physicians and pharmacists who prescribe and dispense these medicines: Incentives extended to healthcare professionals to encourage the prescribing and dispensing of biosimilars vary significantly across European countries. In some countries, prescriber incentives are misaligned, discouraging the use of biosimilar medicines. Incentive programs should be based on shared decision-making between physicians and patients, rather than automatic switching. Gainsharing can be introduced to stimulate biosimilar uptake while preserving competition and autonomy. Education programs for physicians, pharmacists, and patients should be continued to support wider use of biosimilars. 'Biosimilars are not one-size-fits-all, and establishing a sustainable framework for biosimilars requires a nuanced understanding of their heterogeneous applications across clinical settings. It is vital to tailor key solutions that address the unique challenges faced by different product types, prescribing patterns, and patient and disease characteristics. It is also important to consider the future viability of the market when reshaping policies, as the market needs clear signals of long-term sustainability to encourage continued investments in the biosimilar pipeline,' said Adam Levysohn, Vice President and Head of Commercial Strategy Europe, at Samsung Bioepis. 'It is important for healthcare systems to recognize that biosimilars are not merely a cost-saving tool for organizations. Policies should take a patient-centric approach, positioning biosimilars as part of the solution to expand access, improve patient outcomes, ensure supply continuity, and strengthen system resilience.' Samsung Bioepis is a biopharmaceutical company that develops and manufactures high-quality biosimilars to accelerate patient access to biologic medicines. As a world leader in biosimilars, Samsung Bioepis has a broad pipeline of biosimilar candidates that cover a spectrum of therapeutic areas, including immunology, oncology, ophthalmology, hematology, nephrology, and endocrinology. Of the 11 biosimilars approved worldwide, eight products are available across Europe. To access the report Solving the Biosimilar Void in Europe, please visit HERE. About Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd. Established in 2012, Samsung Bioepis is a biopharmaceutical company committed to realizing healthcare that is accessible to everyone. Through innovations in product development and a firm commitment to quality, Samsung Bioepis aims to become the world's leading biopharmaceutical company. Samsung Bioepis continues to advance a broad pipeline of biosimilar candidates that cover a spectrum of therapeutic areas, including immunology, oncology, ophthalmology, hematology, nephrology, and endocrinology. 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