Veterinary pharmacology research grant recipients announced
(SCHAUMBURG, Illinois) 04/02/2021 — The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), the Veterinary Pharmacology Research Foundation (VPRF) and the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology (ACVCP) have selected three veterinary researchers as recipients of the organizations’ 2020 pharmacology research grants.
Dr. Amy McLean, Assistant Professor of Teaching Equine Science, UC Davis Animal Science World Donkey Breeds Project is the recipient of the 2020 Veterinary Pharmacokinetic Research Grant. Dr. McLean’s research is focused on comparing the pharmacokinetics of three flunixin meglumine formulations in donkeys.
“We are very excited to evaluate a new transdermal form of flunixin meglumine in hopes of providing an alternative medication to reduce pain in donkeys that can effectively be administered by their owners, care takers and clinicians compared to traditional routes such as oral and injectable. We are grateful to VPRF and AVMF for their generous support and recognizing the potential of our study to test the pharmacokinetics of dermal flunixin in an attempt to help improve the welfare, comfort and lives of donkeys,” said Dr. McLean.
Dr. Andras Komaromy, Professor, Comparative Ophthalmology, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University is the recipient of the 2020 Veterinary Pharmacology Research Grant. Dr. Komaromy’s research is focused on the Safety and efficacy of topically administered latanoprostene bunod (Vyzulta™) in glaucomatous dogs with ADAMTS10-open-angle glaucoma.
“We thank the VPRF/AVMF for funding our proposal to investigate safety and efficacy of the novel glaucoma eyedrop latanoprostene bunod (Vyzulta™; Bausch & Lomb Incorporated) in dogs. This drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2017 for use in human patients. Our results will determine if latanoprostene bunod is an effective therapy for canine glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness,” said Dr. Komaromy.
For the first time this year, VPRF and AVMF also partnered with ACVCP to select a grant for a resident enrolled in an approved Standard or Alternate ACVCP Training Program. Dr. Brent Credille, Associate Professor Food Animal Health and Management Program, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine University of Georgia was selected to receive the first ever ACVCP Resident Grant for his project entitled “Disposition of Ampicillin Trihydrate in Healthy Calves and Calves Infected with Mannheimia haemolytica.”
“Antimicrobial resistance in food-producing animals is a significant issue to both animal and public health. Often, dosing regimens are designed based on the behavior of drugs in healthy animals. The design of evidence based antimicrobial dosing regimens using data derived from animals with relevant diseases is essential to optimize treatment outcome, reduce the selection of resistant bacteria, and protect food safety by ensuring violative residues do not occur. This award will be of immense help in helping us achieve these goals. Without the support of the AVMF, VPRF and ACVCP, this research would not be possible,” said Dr. Credille.
The three funding organizations are very grateful for the expert reviews by the 17 members of the 2020-21 Pharmacology Scientific Review Committee, which includes Dr. Mahmoud Abouraya, Dr. Michael Apley, Dr. Ron Baynes, Dr. Cynthia Cole, Dr. Jennifer L. Davis, Dr. Keith DeDonder, Dr. Dan Gustafson, Dr. Andrew Mackin, Dr. Lara Maxwell, Dr. Jane Owens, Dr. Mark Papich, Dr. Kirby Pasloske, Dr. Mary Robinson, Dr. Paulo Steagall, Dr. Lauren Trepanier, Dr. Sarah Wagner and Dr. Luke Wittenburg.
Funding for the VPRF and ACVCP research grants is administered by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) and supports research into new or currently approved medications for combating diseases and conditions of companion and food animals as well as projects that ensure the safety of food products from treated livestock. Clinicians and scientists with an interest in veterinary pharmacology are eligible to serve as principal investigators.
About the Veterinary Pharmacology Research Foundation (VPRF)
The Veterinary Pharmacology Research Foundation (VPRF) was founded in 2007 by the governing bodies of the American Academy of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics (AAVPT) and the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology (ACVCP). By combining resources, these organizations were able to focus on funding for growth and innovation in the development of new veterinary therapeutics, evaluation of drugs for treatment of animal diseases and increasing the number of trained researchers in veterinary pharmacology. To date, VPRF has provided over $350,000 in research funding and has awarded twenty-one grants, many with published reports. For more information visit www.AAVPT.org.
About the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF)
The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) is the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association. For more than 55 years, the AVMF has developed resources to advance the science and practice of veterinary medicine to improve animal and human health.
Animal health research is crucial to the future of veterinary medicine. The AVMF devotes its efforts to raising financial support for research projects that will help lead to improved prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of prevalent, life-threatening diseases in animals. To donate to the AVMF, visit https://www.avmf.org/donate. If you would like your donation to help fund future research grants, use AVMF code “RESEARCH” on the online donation form.
About the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology (ACVCP)
The American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology (ACVCP) is a specialty board recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The primary objectives of the College are to advance the discipline of veterinary clinical pharmacology as a clinical specialty and assure the competence of those who practice in this field. Organizing committees of experts to research and make recommendations to the profession on current problems in veterinary therapeutics.