GastroGard® approved as the first imported equine drug in China as Boehringer Ingelheim officially starts equine business in the country

May 12, 2021, Shanghai, China - Boehringer Ingelheim, a global leader in animal health, announced that GastroGard^® (omeprazole oral paste) has been granted the Registration Certificate of Imported Veterinary Drug by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, making it the first equine drug approved to be imported into the China market. GastroGard® is the preferred drug for equine gastric ulcers among veterinarians worldwide and is currently the only veterinary drug approved by the FDA for the treatment and prevention of equine gastric ulcers in the United States¹.

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome is caused by factors such as feeding patterns, diet and stress. It is a high-risk disease in horses with all types and ages. Studies showed that the incidence rate in race horses was up to 80-100 percent², and that in non-race horses was also as high as 11 percent³. If not diagnosed in a timely manner, the disease can be ignored and treatment can be delayed, which may lead to chronic gastric ulcers accompanied by lesions in the long term. The common manifestations of chronic gastric ulcers are weight loss, loss of appetite, poor coat conditions, and recurrent abdominal pain, seriously affecting the sports performance of horses.

According to the Survey Report on the Development of China’s Equestrian Industry in 2019, China had more than 3.6 million horses and more and more Chinese people are beginning to experience equestrian sports. As of August 31, 2019, China had 2,160 equestrian clubs. In addition, horses are increasingly used for the purpose of tourism and treatment, as well as being raised as pets. However, China still lacks equine products, which severely hinders the development of the equine industry. “Hence it is urgent for us to develop professional equine veterinarians, focus on the research and development of innovative drugs and accelerate the introduction of high-quality equine drugs,” said Academician Jianzhong Shen from China Agricultural University. “The domestic clinical trial data of GastroGard^® prove it to be a high-quality therapy for gastric ulcer, a high-risk disease in horses. Clinically, it will improve the sports performances and well-being of horses, thus bringing benefits to the equine industry in China,” shared Associate Professor Zhi Wang from Inner Mongolia Agricultural University.

With the motto “in China, for China,” Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to providing customers with better and innovative solutions as well as high-quality services to upscale the industry and improve the health of both humans and animals. “The registration of GastroGard® marks that the company has started its equine business in China, and so become the first among all multinational animal health companies with a presence in the equine industry in the country. We look forward to contributing to the improvement of health and well-being of horses in China and transforming the local equine industry, while catering to the wishes of the Chinese people to live a better life,” said David Gocken, Head of Animal Health for the Chinese Markets, Boehringer Ingelheim.

By launching the equine health business in China, Boehringer Ingelheim will accelerate the introduction of high-quality innovative products, bring leading treatment solutions to equine veterinarians and support the development of the equine industry in China.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health

The lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways. We know that when animals are healthy, humans are healthier too. Across the globe, our 9,700 employees are dedicated to delivering value through innovation, thus enhancing the well-being of both.

Respect for animals, humans and the environment is at the heart of what we do. We develop solutions and provide services to protect animals from disease and pain. We support our customers in taking care of the health of their animals and protect our communities against life- and society-threatening diseases.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is the second largest animal health business in the world, with net sales of 4.1 billion euros in 2020 and presence in more than 150 countries. For more information visit: www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health/overview.

Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that improve the lives of humans and animals. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term perspective. Around 52,000 employees serve more than 130 markets in the three business areas, Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com. 

Intended audiences:

This press release is issued from our Corporate Headquarters in Ingelheim, Germany and is intended to provide information about our global business. Please be aware that information relating to the approval status and labels of approved products may vary from country to country, and a country-specific press release on this topic may have been issued in the countries where we do business.

References

¹https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/views/#/home/previewsearch/141-123 
²Murray et al 1996, Vatistas et al 1999, Begg et al 2003
³Feige K, Effects of housing, feeding and use on equine health with emphasis on respiratory and gastrointestinal disease, SAT, 2002, 144;348-55