Zoetis today announced that the U.S. FDA has approved a new label indication for Simparica® (sarolaner) Chewables for the prevention of Borrelia burgdorferi in dogs. Simparica is now proven to block the pathogen that causes Lyme disease as a result of killing Ixodes scapularis ticks (deer ticks) for dogs six months of age or older. Simparica was originally approved in early 2016 to kill adult fleas and prevent flea infestations, as well as treat and control tick infestations due to the Lone Star tick, the Gulf Coast tick, the American dog tick, and the brown dog tick. With this expanded label, our veterinary customers across the U.S. now have even greater comfort that they are protecting dogs and helping them live healthy, happy lives. This is especially important as Lyme disease is a rising threat to dogs across the U.S., including in areas not typically considered endemic for it.
This new Simparica indication, which is specific to Simparica, not Simparica Trio ® (sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel chewable tablets), provides another science-based discussion point for customer conversations, and it comes at an opportune time as we approach the summer season when pet owners think more about ticks and how to protect their pets. The new claim reinforces previously published data, and it is now demonstrated in two separate studies that Simparica prevented 100% of infections that cause Lyme disease even when challenged at the end of the month.