RESEARCH - Exposure to Pets Boosts Immunity in Babies

Research from the University of Alberta (UofA) suggests having a dog early in life helps protect kids from allergies and obesity.

The study showed that babies from families with pets (70 per cent of which were dogs) showed higher levels of two microbes associated with lower risks of allergies and obesity.

The latest findings from Anita Kozyrskyj, a U of A pediatric epidemiologist, and her team builds on two decades of research that show children who grow up with dogs have lower rates of asthma.

The researchers’ theory is that exposure to bacteria and dirt early in life can create early immunity.

However, they aren’t sure if the effect occurs from bacteria on the dog or from human transfer by touching the pets.

This new study takes the science one step closer to clarifying the connection by identifying that exposure to pets in the womb or up to three months after birth increases the abundance of two bacteria, Ruminococcus and Oscillospira, which have been linked with reduced childhood allergies and obesity, respectively.

“The abundance of these two bacteria were increased twofold when there was a pet in the house,” Kozyrskyj said in a UofA article, adding that the pet exposure was shown to affect the gut microbiome indirectly - from dog to mother to unborn baby - during pregnancy as well as during the first three months of the baby’s life.

While researchers can’t predict how their findings will play out in the future, they don’t rule out a “dog in a pill” to prevent obesity and allergies.

“It’s not far-fetched that the pharmaceutical industry will try to create a supplement of these microbiomes, much like was done with probiotics,” Kozyrskyj said.

A Quick Market History of Apoquel

In May 2013 the “U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Apoquel (oclacitinib tablet) for the control of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis and the control of atopic dermatitis in dogs at least 12 months of age. Pruritus, or itching, is the most common sign of allergies in dogs. Developed by Zoetis, Apoquel is the first Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor approved for veterinary use that targets the itch and inflammation pathway. Apoquel provides fast-acting relief from itching and improves inflammation for the estimated 8.2 million dogs that suffer from short- and long-term allergic skin conditions.” 1 Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common allergies in dogs, affecting approximately 10 percent of the dog population. Itching caused by an allergic skin disease can be an acute, short-term condition or can be recurrent or chronic—all which can impact the quality of life for both the dog and its owner unless they are controlled with effective management. 1

Apoquel entered the market on January 20th, 2014. Apoquel was highly successful and in July 2014 Zoetis could no longer produce enough medication. Zoetis made plans to increase the production of Apoquel but told customers that it will take approximately nine months for production to be increased. Zoetis gave priority to pets already on the medication to allow them to continue therapy and did not fulfill new orders for pets not on the medication. Steven Leder, Senior Vice President of Zoetis’ U.S. Companion Animal Division, said “I apologize for the frustration and disappointment this situation is causing you and the discomfort to dogs that need the product but cannot access Apoquel.”

In February 2015, acquired Abbott Animal Health and this should allow the company to increase production of Apoquel. Zoetis CEO, Juan Ramon Alaix said, “We expect to see stronger performance in this area in the future as we significantly increase the supply of Apoquel in April 2015 and continue our investment in discovering, acquiring and launching new products for companion animals.” In order to meet such a strong demand for Apoquel, Zoetis has reduced manufacturing time and increased manufacturing capacity.

Where does the production and distribution of Apoquel stand today? According to the US Zoetis website, “Apoquel (oclacitinib tablet) is now available for purchase to all veterinarians based on  predetermined order limits. We will closely monitor purchasing behavior and intend to gradually increase the supply of Apoquel throughout 2015. We are committed to providing a better customer service experience in 2015 and appreciate your patience and understanding throughout the past year.”

About APOQUEL

While most current therapies are broad-based agents, APOQUEL is uniquely targeted to stop the itch and inflammation associated with allergic skin disease. It is a selective inhibitor of the Janus kinase (JAK) 1 enzyme, a protein that is integral to the signaling pathway that results in itching and inflammation. Its novel mechanism of action on the JAK enzymes is specifically designed to target the pruritogenic and proinflammatory pathways involved in the itch cycle, allowing control of the signs of allergic disease.

Current treatments for allergic skin disease are limiting. In acute and chronic cases of allergic dermatitis, steroids may effectively reduce pruritus, but the short- and long-term side effects (including polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, pancreatitis, gastrointestinal ulceration, lipidemias, diabetes, muscle wasting and iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome) and intricate dosing schedules can be challenging to dogs and their owners.

“The approval of APOQUEL provides a much-needed, new, targeted treatment choice for dogs that suffer from allergic skin conditions and affords the damaged skin an opportunity to heal, while allowing the veterinarian ample time to identify the underlying cause of a dog’s allergic disease,” said Catherine Knupp, Executive Vice President and President, Research and Development at Zoetis. “Zoetis is committed to research and development programs that address the real world challenges veterinarians face while serving the unmet needs of our veterinary customers in better ways.”

Discovered and developed by Zoetis, APOQUEL will be available by prescription only. APOQUEL tablets, dosed at 0.18 to 0.27 mg per pound (0.4 to 0.6 mg/kg), are administered orally, twice daily for up to 14 days, and then administered once daily for maintenance therapy. APOQUEL may be administered with or without food.

Zoetis plans to make APOQUEL available to veterinarians by the First Quarter 2014. During the coming months, Zoetis will be educating veterinarians on the new science associated with canine allergic diseases to lay the groundwork for a successful launch. For more information, please visit www.Apoquel.com. As the latest addition to the company’s diverse portfolio of companion animal medicines, this approval signifies an important milestone for this leading animal health company.

About Zoetis

Zoetis (zō-EH-tis) is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting customers and businesses focused on raising and caring for livestock and companion animals. Building on a 60-year history as the animal health business of Pfizer, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostic products and genetic tests and supported by a range of services. The company generated annual revenues of $4.3 billion in 2012. It has more than 9,300 employees worldwide and a local presence in approximately 70 countries, including 29 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries. Its products serve veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for livestock and companion animals in 120 countries. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com or www.zoetisus.com.