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Thanks for celebrating our 20th anniversary with us!

On the 29th and 30th of June 2017, we celebrated KLIFOVET’s 20th anniversary with a one-and-a-half-day seminar on "20 Years of Animal Health Product Development – What’s next?"



We were overwhelmed by the participation of more than 115 animal health experts from 20 countries of four continents. It was an honor to see so much expertise following our invitation to the Eden Hotel Wolff near Munich’s Central Station to discuss the past and future challenges of the animal health industry.

Renowned experts from competent authorities (Gabriel Beechinor, HPRA; Carola Sauter-Louis, FLI; Esther Werner, PEI), multinational animal health companies (Randolph Seidler, Boehringer Ingelheim; Martin Murphy, Elanco; Mark Micallef, ZENOAQ; Michael Stegemann, Zoetis), high-ranking consultancies (George Gunn, Stonehaven Consulting; Charles Hoare, Stifel; Klaus Hellmann, Klifovet), international research institutes (Dieter Schillinger, ILRI) as well as innovative Start-ups (Pascal Breton, VitamFero; Eric Nadeau, Prevtec Microbia) presented on different aspects of the animal health industry and market.

Klaus Hellmann’s introductory speech already touched some of the topics that were then discussed in more detail by the expert speakers and during two plenum discussions which allowed the active participation of the audience. Each session and associated plenum discussion was headed by one expert of Klifovet’s board of management.

The concept of “One Health” was repeatedly discussed, highlighting the close integration of human, animal, and environmental health and the united efforts to increase the quality of life of all living beings on this planet in a sustainable way. This topic overlaps with the crossover of human and animal health product pipelines. Products deriving from research for human medicines including novel therapies, e.g. immuno-oncology products, monoclonal antibodies, stem cells and biomarker technologies have started to enter the animal health market. Lacking established regulatory guidance, novel therapies are connected with uncertainty concerning the best and fastest way to the market; this hinders the fast access to market of such innovative technologies. However, it was confirmed by the competent authorities that the regulatory system is in the process of optimization to improve the guidance to applicants to assure fast access of veterinarians and animals to such products. Apart from lacking regulatory standards, many innovative start-ups and SMEs are faced with a difficult financial situation. While North America has a very friendly environment for financing of start-ups, venture capital and private equity is still rare and difficult to find for Europe-based animal health start-up companies. All participants agreed that increased investment into this market is necessary to ensure that innovative pipelines reach the animal patient quickly.

In Europe, several diseases are on the rise which currently cannot be prevented or treated sufficiently; this applies to African Swine Fever, Lumpy Skin Disease, Asian Influenza, Foot and Mouth Disease, Peste de Petit Ruminants, and some more, as situations as experienced with Bluetongue and Schmallenberg virus should be avoided. The replacement of antimicrobials will continue to challenge the animal health companies: while their use is currently reduced, this will influence the financial situation of a variety of players in the market. Other topics that need to be addressed and where medicinal solutions are currently lacking, will be based on the changing attitudes and perception of animal welfare topics, including reduction of pain in all species, pain free castration and dehorning, stress free transport and handling of animals prior to slaughter. For pets, beyond reduction of pain there are other new target areas including behavioral problems, obesity, appetite stimulation or oncology. At the same time, the strategic investment of large companies is driven by bolt-on acquisitions to fill portfolio gaps in line with the market’s macro trends.

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Time commitment did not allow all topics to be discussed in sufficient depth during the podium discussions; however, there was sufficient time for further exchange of views while having dinner and one or two beers at the Augustinerkeller in the impressive festival hall on Thursday evening.

On Friday evening, more than 140 people assembled at the German Museum for Hunting and Fishery in Munich’s inner city to celebrate the 20th anniversary of KLIFOVET AG as contract development organization and regulatory consultancy. The event was a great success and everyone enjoyed the opportunities for networking, while food and drinks were offered by Grünwalder Burgunderhaus, who also assured perfect mixing of cocktails later in the evening. Musicians from the ensemble of the residence theater under the leadership of Mr. Huber provided an excellent digest of music during the event.

We thank everyone who participated in one or the other anniversary event! You were a committed audience, inspiring discussion partners and questioners, and great guests! As Klaus Hellmann mentioned during his talk: a great honor for KLIFOVET to have all participants with us for this celebration and to receive such great feedback:

  • Just a note of sincere thanks for inviting me to you celebratory event – it was a privilege to be there – the organisation was exceptional, the hospitality superb and a very good opportunity to network. You and your people did an amazing job at make us all feel very welcome in Munich – you all deserve a lot of accolades for making it all work so smoothly. (A private consultant)
  • I wanted to take the opportunity to congratulate you and thank you for a truly superb conference (and much more) in Munich. The overall organisation and hospitality for the conference were exemplary and your team always knowledgeable and welcoming. Definitely one of the most engaging conferences I have ever attended! (A cooperation partner)
  • What a wonderful event you organized in Munich. It was a genuine honour to participate in. Thanks to Klifovet, I have many fond memories of my first visit to Munich. (A client)

We also warmly thank you for your generous donations to Tierärzte ohne Grenzen e.V. (Vétérinaires sans Frontières Germany) to support their valuable work or for delighting the team with other treats!