News

Creating alternatives to shared-class antibiotics

An animal health company is increasing investment in research to decrease the need for shared-class antibiotics in livestock.

Bill Weldon with Elanco says the company not only wants to bring new, animal only antibiotics to the market – it wants to develop new alternatives to antibiotics as well.  “The science is continuing to advance in things like the microbiome and gastro-intestinal health,” he says.  “Having information and data services to wrap around that become extremely important in being able to solve these issues with new tools based on some new science.”

Last year Elanco launched its 8-Point Comprehensive Antibiotic Stewardship Plan – a multi-faceted approach to combat the growing concern about antibiotic resistance.

Weldon tells Brownfield since the announcement the company has added new commitments.  One of which is bringing 25 viable antibiotic alternatives to the market by 2020.  “We really want to help solve some of the toughest problems that livestock producers have and the biggest reasons that they use shared-class antibiotics,” he says.

Weldon says new products give livestock producers options to protect animal health and welfare without impacting the efficacy of antibiotic used in people.

AUDIO: Bill Weldon, Elanco