Research breakthrough leads to new two-in-one injectable

This is advertiser content for Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health.

Research and Development (R&D) experts from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health's Australian and New Zealand team are celebrating the launch of Marks-Min, an injectable trace mineral with the addition of B12, created through across-the-ditch collaboration to solve a longstanding formulation challenge.

Until now, many producers have given their cattle two separate injections - one with trace minerals and one with B12.

The challenge for Boehringer R&D was to get both into one injectable, which Dr Mark Doherty, R&D portfolio manager for Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Australia, says was a great challenge for the development team.

"It's always been possible to add B12 to a trace element injection, but keeping the B12 stable is the key challenge," he said.

"We recognised back in 2014 that there was a need for a two-in-one trace mineral and vitamin injection in the market, to save producers time while administering.

"Formulation development is only about the first 20 per cent of time taken to develop. Our team started working on the formulation, piloting different batches, making sure that the levels of each element are balanced, and most importantly, ensuring that it can remain stable for a long period of time on-shelf.

"It was a joint effort between Australia and New Zealand. In New Zealand, we have a fully resourced pharmaceutical lab with formulators, analysts and equipment.

"They partnered with our clinical team in Australia, who spent a lot of time across-the-ditch working through the process, and testing different formulations," Dr Doherty said.

"Once we landed on our final product formulation, we also had to be sure it could be scaled up and manufactured on a level that we can then put on a shelf for sale."

While some of the challenges came from trying to get the formulation right, Dr Doherty said another challenge was Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health's own rigorous product standards.

"Our quality standards are very high - as they should be. It's something we pride ourselves on but it also meant a lot of extra work ensuring the final product met those standards, especially when being mass manufactured for end users and their livestock," he said.

Dr Liz Pryor, technical services veterinarian for Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Australia, says there is already strong market interest in a single, convenient and rapidly absorbed injection.

"Marks-Min represents a big step-up in convenience for producers who will literally halve the amount of work they need to do to get these supplements into their herd," Dr Pryor said.

"We expect Marks-Min will be very well received by cattle producers right across the country, particularly in coastal zones where supplements are a priority for producers."

The trace minerals in Marks-Min are required for optimal health, production and fertility. The addition of B12 is vital in supporting energy production, and to help nurture the best response to trace mineral supplementation.

The trace minerals and B12 work hand in hand in order to ensure that growth, reproduction and immune defence are functioning in cattle to the highest capacity.

"Optimising trace mineral and vitamin B12 levels at critical times, like calving, mating and drying off, can have a positive impact on health, immune status and the reproductive capacity of livestock," Dr Pryor said.

"Many producers don't realise how important trace minerals are, and it's quite a complex area so it can be a challenge to demonstrate their value, but the proof is in their use.

"We find that once they start using supplements, producers never give them up because they see real differences in their cattle's productivity and performance."

Andrew Palmer, head of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Australia, says the launch of Marks-Min signifies the company's continued commitment to fostering farm animal well-being.

"At Boehringer Ingelheim, our focus is on developing innovative products and services to contribute to farm animal well-being and meet the needs of our customers," Mr Palmer said.

"Nutrition is critical to animal well-being so we're really excited to launch this product into the market and provide another choice for producers when it comes to selecting supplements for their herds."

Marks-Min is available in two pack sizes, 500ml and 1lt, and is suitable for all cattle types.

For more information, head to www.marksmin.com.au

This is advertiser content for Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health.