Contact:

Natasha Joseph

Merial

(678) 638-3690                                      

natasha.joseph@merial.com

Jennifer Ryan 

Bader Rutter & Assoc.

(262) 938-5524

jryan@bader-rutter.com

DULUTH, GA — Feb. 12, 2009 — In a recently completed 429-horse trial, researchers reinforced the effectiveness and safety profile of EQUIOXX® (firocoxib),¹ the first equine oral, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to be approved in more than 20 years.

“This research helps prove the benefits of EQUIOXX, and it also demonstrates the commitment to continued research for all MERIAL® products,” says Doug Carithers, DVM, director of marketing trials and publications, Merial. “This is one of the largest equine NSAID studies conducted after product launch, and the results validate what we know veterinarians and owners nationwide see in horses after using EQUIOXX.”

EQUIOXX is proven to control the joint pain and inflammation associated with equine osteoarthritis,² which is one of the most common causes of lameness in horses.³ Also known as degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis can develop in horses as young as 2 years old.³

From May 2007 to February 2008, horses diagnosed with osteoarthritis were enrolled in the EQUIOXX Experience Trial by veterinarians at 80 sites in 25 states. The study included horses from 1 to 33 years old and more than 10 breeds. After a 14-day trial of EQUIOXX, both veterinarians and their handlers reported results. Some of the key findings include:¹

• Improvement continued through duration of 14-day trial

• Improvement was consistent regardless of breed, age or weight of horse

• Improvement was consistent regardless of the joint(s) involved

• 87.6 percent of handlers reported horses as “moving better”

• 96 percent of handlers believed EQUIOXX was palatable for their horse(s)

The trial evaluated horses with both single- and multiple-joint osteoarthritis diagnoses. Of those cases, 50 percent of horses were diagnosed with osteoarthritis in the tarsus joint, and more than 27 percent of horses showed osteoarthritis in the fetlock joint.¹

“The improvement of horses in a range of situations shows how EQUIOXX can truly help to relieve the pain and inflammation resulting from equine osteoarthritis,” Dr. Carithers says. “These results combined with the clinical studies conducted prior to launch, support EQUIOXX as a reliable, effective and well-accepted product.”^1,4

In previous research, EQUIOXX was shown to work quickly^2,4 to provide 24 hours of pain relief and is easily administered as an oral paste.^4,5

Since its launch in 2007, EQUIOXX is the only NSAID approved for use up to 14 consecutive days by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA)⁶ and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF)⁷ when used at the recommended dose.

“Merial is proud to support continued research on its innovative equine products,” Dr. Carithers says. “We believe in demonstrating the results of EQUIOXX in practical, everyday situations both with continued research and with customers across the country.”

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 5,400 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2008 sales were over $2.6 billion. Merial Limited is a joint venture between Merck & Co., Inc. and sanofi-aventis.  For more information, please see www.merial.com.

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Additional info:
• Trial Highlights
• Quick Facts About EQUIOXX

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 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.

EQUIOXX Prescribing Information

¹EQUIOXX Experience Trial Results, data on file at Merial.

²EQUIOXX product label.

³Schlueter AE and Orth MW. Equine osteoarthritis: a brief review of the disease and its causes. Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology 2004;1(4):221–231.

⁴EQUIOXX Freedom of Information Summary.

⁵Data on file at Merial, Multicenter Field Study, PR&D 0084201-07/09-10.

⁶American Quarter Horse Association. Show rules and regulations. Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations. 2008:128. Available at: http://www.aqha.com/association/registration/pdf/showrules_08.pdf. Accessed February 1, 2008.

⁷United States Equestrian Federation. Drugs and Medications Guidelines. 2007:2-3. Available at:

http://www.usef.org/documents/competitions/2007/2007DrugsMedsGuidelines.pdf. Accessed February 13, 2008.

®MERIAL and EQUIOXX are registered trademarks of Merial Limited. ã2009 Merial Limited. Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. LAGEEQX838-R (11/08)