November 14, 2011

The Veterinary Pharmacology Research Foundation (VPRF) and the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Foundation (ACVMIF) proudly announce the recipient of the second research grant focusing exclusively on veterinary pharmacology. A grant of nearly $18,000 was awarded to Drs. Butch KuKanich and Kate KuKanich from Kansas State University for a study to determine the effect of CYP inhibition on tramadol disposition and pharmacological effects in dogs.

Twelve high quality research proposals were submitted for evaluation by the scientific review committee. Investigators were encouraged to submit proposals that focused on research to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of therapies for veterinary species, explore new drug therapies for animals, develop and validate models of animal diseases or conditions, or ensure that a safe food supply is not compromised by drug therapy. These areas focus exclusively on unmet needs in veterinary medicine, but are often overlooked by other funding sources.

Any clinician or scientist with an interest in veterinary pharmacology was eligible to serve as Principal Investigator on the proposal. As this grant was a partnership between veterinary internists and VPRF, collaborations between pharmacologists and Diplomates of ACVIM were strongly encouraged. VPRF was formed in 2008 by members of the American Academy of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics (AAVPT) and the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology (ACVCP) who recognized that the lack of research funding was limiting growth in the field of veterinary pharmacology. This grant was made possible by generous donations from AAVPT, Pfizer Animal Health, Torpac,Inc, Pennfield Animal Health, Nexcyon Pharmaceuticals and many members of AAVPT and ACVCP. The partnership between VPRF and ACVIMF builds on a long standing relationship between veterinary pharmacologists and internists which promotes scientifically sound and humane research on drug therapy for animal diseases and training of future scientists.

Established in 2000, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Foundation is a non- profit organization whose main purpose is to fund studies that lead to new diagnostic, treatment and prevention techniques, to support the education of new specialists, and to increase public awareness of veterinary specialty medicine. Since 2002, the ACVIM Foundation has awarded over $1 Million dollars to fund 63 studies and 3 Fellowships.

It is anticipated that the next call for veterinary pharmacology research grants will go out in early 2011.