Source:  News Release

Merial Applied Equine Research Award
Professor Anthony Blikslager honored for work in pain management

 Hyderabad, India -  On November 2, Dr. Hoyt Cheramie of Merial presented the 2011 Merial Applied Equine Research Award to Dr. Anthony Blikslager of North Carolina State University during the opening ceremony of the 12^th Congress of the World Equine Veterinary Association.  The prestigious award recognizes outstanding research conducted in a specific field of applied equine science over the past five years.
 
The 2011 Merial Applied Equine Research Award specifically honors advances in pain management of horses.  Professor Blikslager was selected by an international panel, chaired by Professor David Hodgson of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.  Professor Hodgson said:  "Dr. Blikslager has a distinguished career as a world class researcher. He has conducted seminal studies on colic with particular focus on pain control. As such he is a most worthy recipient of this prestigious award."
 
Dr. Blikslager said: “I am very grateful to WEVA and Merial for this award – it means so much to be recognized by fellow veterinarians in this way.”  Speaking to the conference delegates on recent advances in equine pain management, Dr. Blikslager described his work on butorphanol, lidocaine and coxibs.  He discussed in particular why selective coxibs, such as firocoxib, have the potential to decrease side effects.    
 
On behalf of Merial, Dr Hoyt Cheramie, Equine Veterinary Services said: “Merial is privileged to partner with WEVA and recognize the contributions made by Dr. Blikslager to equine medicine and welfare. 
 
“Merial’s commitment to equine healthcare innovation began 30 years ago when the first ever ivermectin product – EQVALAN^® – was launched in New Zealand.  This equine antiparasitic started a revolution in animal health.  Merial has continued to advance healthcare for horses since that time.  The first approved gastric ulcer treatment and preventative, the first recombinant West Nile Virus and equine influenza vaccines, and most recently the first COX-1 sparing NSAID for horses.  The latter product makes honoring Dr. Blikslager’s work and success in pain management particularly appropriate.”
 
About Anthony Blikslager
Dr. Anthony Blikslager is Professor of Surgery and Gastroenterology at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, USA. His laboratory is focused on mechanisms whereby intestinal mucosa repairs after insults such as ischemia and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Dr. Blikslager is on the Editorial Board for the Equine Veterinary Journal and serves on the Editorial Review Board of the American Journal of Veterinary Research. He is also an active member of the American Gastroenterological Association and was inducted as a Fellow of the AGA in 2010. Dr. Blikslager was a member of the United States Department of Agriculture National Research Initiative Review Panel in 2008, and chaired the Large Animal Scientific Advisory Board of the Morris Animal Foundation in 2008. He received the Pfizer Award for Excellence in Research from North Carolina State University in 2006. He has in excess of 120 peer reviewed publications.
 
Dr. Blikslager received a PhD in Gastrointestinal Physiology at North Carolina State University in 1997.  He became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1995 following a residency in Large Animal Surgery at NC State University from 1990-1994, and an Equine Medicine and Surgery internship at the University of Missouri-Columbia from 1989-1990.  He initially received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1989.

About WEVA
Founded in 1985, under the auspices of the World Veterinary Association, WEVA became a standalone group in 1997. WEVA’s mission is "to advance the health and welfare of horses worldwide by promoting and offering quality continuing education for equine practitioners, specifically in countries with limited access to high quality, broad-based professional education."
 
About Merial
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 5,600 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2010 sales were more than $2.6 billion.