Merial Introduces EQUIOXX Injection

Duluth, GA. – October 13, 2010– With a long-standing commitment to providing horse owners and veterinarians the highest quality products, Merial is pleased to introduce EQUIOXX^® (firocoxib) Injection. With the addition of EQUIOXX Injection to EQUIOXX^® (firocoxib) Oral Paste, competitors now have a solid “one-two pain management punch” available to relieve the pain and inflammation associated with equine osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD).¹

“Committed to supporting equine health and performance, Merial is proud to offer the flexibility of two EQUIOXX formulations to better meet the pain management needs of horses,” says Frank Hurtig, DVM, MBA, Merial’s Director of Large Animal Veterinary Services. “Both forms of EQUIOXX provide 24 hours of prescription OA pain relief* in just one daily dose.² While EQUIOXX Injection is labeled for up to five days’ use,¹EQUIOXX Oral Paste can be used to help control the pain and inflammation associated with OA for an additional nine days.³ This means up to 14 days of once daily dosing OA pain management, providing added convenience and the freedom to treat during longer events without skipping days.”³

EQUIOXX is also the only NSAID approved for use for up to 14 consecutive days by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA)⁴ and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), when given at the recommended dose with a 12 hour withdrawal time prior to competing.⁵Traditional NSAIDs are only approved for a maximum of five days in these events.^4,5In addition, it is important for horse owners to note AQHA allows only one active NSAID in the system of a horse during competition and a similar USEF rule goes into full effect December 1, 2011.^4,6

For more information about EQUIOXX Injection or EQUIOXX Oral Paste, horse owners should talk to their veterinarian, visit www.equioxx.com or call 1-888-MERIAL-1.

Important safety information:
As with any prescription medication, prior to use, a veterinarian should perform a physical examination and review the horse’s medical history. A veterinarian should advise horse owners to observe for signs of potential drug toxicity. As a class, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be associated with gastrointestinal, hepatic and renal toxicity. Use with other NSAIDs, corticosteroids or nephrotoxic medication should be avoided. EQUIOXX has not been tested in horses less than 1 year of age or in breeding horses, or pregnant or lactating mares. For additional information please refer to the prescribing information or visit www.equioxx.com.

About Osteoarthritis and Your Horse

Osteoarthritis (OA), or degenerative joint disease (DJD), is a painful condition caused by progressive “wear and tear” of cartilage and other parts of the joint. It is one of the most common causes of lameness in horses and can develop in horses as young as 2 years old. All too often, it leads to poor performance and early retirement.⁷Factors that contribute to the onset of OA in horses include:⁷

• Trauma to the joint
• Conformation
• Immobilization
• Improper shoeing
• Age

When a horse suffers from OA, the cartilage, bone and soft tissues in the joint deteriorate. These changes causepain, deformity, loss of motion and decreased function. The joints most frequently affected by OA include the carpal, fetlock, pastern and coffin.⁷Watch for these signs in your horse:

• Limping or lameness
• Decreased activity or exercise (reluctance to stand, walk, trot or canter, or difficulty performing these activities)
• Stiffness or decreased movement of joints

If you see these signs, talk to your veterinarian about the possibility of osteoarthritis.

Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs approximately 5,700 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2009 sales were over $2.6 billion. Merial is the Animal Health subsidiary of sanofi-aventis. For more information, please see www.merial.com.