VGX Animal Health

Horses with chronic laminitis/arthritis of at least one year duration were used in a pilot study. In this study, the horses were followed for a control period of at least 90 days before being treated. They were injected one time with GHRH-expressing plasmid immediately followed by short electroporation procedure. Following this treatment, subjects were monitored for 6 months with clinical evaluations performed at 30-day intervals.

These horses demonstrated a significant improvement in both physical and force plate assessment. At 6 months post-treatment, the horses no longer required systemic analgesics and were rated pasture sound. Radiographic evaluation of the hooves demonstrated resolution of the inflammation and correction of the third phalynx rotation (see photographs below).

The CBC and chemistry profiles of both groups remained in the normal range throughout the study.

This proof-of-concept study will be followed by further detailed analysis in a larger population of animals to further demonstrate the beneficial effects of this treatment on horses with chronic arthritis/laminitis.


	A. Horse 1 pre-treatment. Inflamed laminae and rotation of P3. B. Horse 1 180 days post-treatment. Resolution of inflamed laminae and normal position of P3. C. Horse 2 pre-treatment. Inflamed laminae and rotation of P3. D. Horse 2 180 days post-treatment. Resolution of inflamed laminae and normal position of P3.