Animal health companies spent $663 million in 2006 to research and develop potential new products and to maintain the longevity of existing products, according to the Animal Health Institute’s Research and Development Survey. This constitutes a 7 percent increase over 2005 spending. Innovative research represented 86 percent of total research and development spending, the same as in 2005. The remaining 14 percent went toward research to ensure the longevity of existing products. In 2006, 26.4 million pounds of antibiotics were sold for use in farm and companion animals, an increase from 24.4 million pounds sold in 2005. Data represent answers from Animal Health Institute member companies, which include Abbott Animal Health, Bayer Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., Elanco Animal Health, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Intervet Inc., Merial Ltd., Novartis Animal Health U.S. Inc., Pfizer Animal Health and Schering-Plough Animal Health Corp. <HOME>
