Felpreva®, Vetoquinol’s New Three-Monthly Feline Parasiticide, Receives Marketing Authorisation from the European Commission

• Felpreva® (tigolaner/emodepside/praziquantel) has been granted marketing authorisation by the European Commission
• The combination product is the first spot-on solution for cats approved in the EU to treat both internal and external parasite infestations/infections, including tapeworms, for up to three months
• Tigolaner, one of the three active compounds in Felpreva®, is a novel active substance targeting fleas, ticks and mites 

Paris, 18^th November, 2021 – Vetoquinol (Paris: VETO) is delighted to announce that, following positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP), the European Commission has granted marketing authorisation for Felpreva® (tigolaner/emodepside/praziquantel) for spot-on prevention and treatment of mixed parasitic infestations/infections in cats.¹
 
Felpreva® is the first spot-on parasiticide for cats that covers tapeworms in addition to other endoparasites including gastrointestinal roundworms and lungworms, and ectoparasites (fleas, ticks and mites) for up to three months with a single dose. It is licensed for treatment of cats with, or at risk from, mixed parasitic infestations/infections, including:
Endoparasites:
Gastrointestinal roundworms: infection with Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina and Ancylostoma tubaeforme
Lungworms: infection with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior
Tapeworms: infection with Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis
Ectoparasites:
Flea (Ctenocephalides felis), tick (Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes holocyclus) and mite (Otodectes cynotis) infestations, as well as mild to moderate cases of notoedric mange (caused by Notoedres cati). It can also form part of a treatment strategy for flea allergic dermatitis (FAD).
 
Matthieu Frechin, Vetoquinol CEO, commented: “Marketing authorisation is a pivotal achievement for both Vetoquinol and Felpreva®. It is a breakthrough treatment with convenience and simplicity of use combined with long-lasting efficacy. We believe that Felpreva® will be a real game changer for this area of veterinary medicine, demonstrating our commitment to the parasiticide market.” 
Felpreva® is part of the endectocide class of veterinary parasiticides that covers both internal (endo) and external (ecto) parasites. It is a combination of active substances emodepside and praziquantel, with tigolaner, a novel active ingredient.¹
 
It is estimated that parasiticides make up the largest segment in the companion animal veterinary pharmaceutical market worldwide. Moreover, the fast-growing endectocide category is estimated to make up approximately one quarter of the total companion animal parasiticide market.²
 
Fifty percent of pet owners in Europe report currently treating their pets with an endectocide product.³ However, research suggests owners are treating cats less frequently than recommended by the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP), which advocates no less than four times per year for deworming, with certain risk groups requiring more frequent treatments.^4.5
 
Juliana Carrer, International Range Manager at Vetoquinol, said: “With veterinary staff busier than ever, and increasing numbers of new cat owners across Europe, we understand the need to reduce prescribing complexity and increase vets’ confidence in owner compliance. As a qualified veterinarian myself I warmly welcome the approval of Felpreva®.”
It is anticipated that Felpreva® will be made available to veterinarians across Europe in early 2022.
References

1. European Commission Union Register of Veterinary Medicinal Products – Felpreva. 2021. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/health/documents/community-register/html/v277.htm[Accessed 16 November 2021].
2. Vetoquinol estimates, based on Market Intelligence Data.
3. Survey of Pet Owners in EU6 countries and the UK, conducted by Metyis February 2021.
4. McNamara, J., Drake, J., Wiseman, S. and Wright, I., 2018. Survey of European pet owners quantifying endoparasitic infection risk and implications for deworming recommendations. Parasites & Vectors, 11(1).
5. ESCCAP Guideline 1: Worm Control in Dogs and Cats. 6th ed. Available at:
6. https://www.esccap.org/uploads/docs/oc1bt50t_0778_ESCCAP_GL1_v15_1p.pdf  [Accessed 16 November  2021].