Oculus leaps into animal health with 6 new skin and eye products

Another company has spotted an opportunity in animal health. Petaluma, CA-based Oculus Innovative Sciences ($OCLS) announced Thursday that it has launched an animal health unit and 6 new products for the treatment of wounds, skin and eyes. The medicines are branded MicrocynAH, and the company will introduce two additional members of the product line for farm animals soon.

Dan McFadden, Oculus' new vice president of animal healthcare, said in a press release that the Microcyn pipeline "is robust with new product offerings that we intend to make available over the coming year. In other words--and pun intended--the family of MicrocynAH products will not be a one-trick pony."

Oculus, founded in 1999, primarily makes over-the-counter and prescription treatments for dermatological disorders. In its last fiscal year, the company recorded revenues of $13.7 million and a net profit of $3.7 million. The company has partnered with distributor SLA Brands to market the new animal health line in the U.S. and Canada, according to the release. The company plans to expand to the European market this summer.

McFadden says Oculus is working on improved formulations of the Microcyn products. The R&D team, he says in the release, "is not resting on its laurels."

Oculus is far from the only human health company to make a recent entry into animal medicines. Last September, SiSaf of Ireland, a drug delivery company, announced its plans to enter the veterinary industry.

And let's not forget AmerisourceBergen ($ABC). It leapt into animal health in January when it picked up MWI Veterinary Supply ($MWIV) for $2.5 billion. The companies sealed that deal on Tuesday.

- here's the Oculus press release