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Stem cell treatment a ‘breakthrough’ for equine lameness
“Arti-Cell® Forte contains stem cells that have been chondrogenically induced and therefore primed to develop into the cartilage cell lineage".
Arti-Cell Forte is the first stem cell-based medicine to receive marketing authorisation

The first stem cell-based medicine to receive marketing authorisation for the treatment of equine lameness has been launched by Boehringer Ingelheim.

Hailed as a ‘breakthrough medicine’ for degenerative joint disease in horses, Arti-Cell Forte is the first ‘ready-to-use’ stem cell-based product to be licensed in any veterinary species. It is also the only stem cell treatment to contain induced cells, marking a significant step in stem cell therapies and medicine as a whole.

“Arti-Cell® Forte contains stem cells that have been chondrogenically induced and therefore primed to develop into the cartilage cell lineage,” explained DR Amy Scott MRCVS, Boehringer Ingehlheim’s performance horse portfolio manager.

“Studies have shown that chondrogenically induced stem cells demonstrate an enhanced clinical outcome compared to un-induced stem cells in the treatment of joint disease in horses. This makes Arti-Cell® Forte a highly targeted and effective treatment for cartilage damage associated with degenerative joint disease.”

The medicine is available to veterinary practitioners direct from Boehringer Ingelheim. It is stored at ultra-low temperatures to maintain its two-year shelf life, either frozen at -70 ⁰C to -90 ⁰C (dry ice, -80 ⁰C freezer) or -196 ⁰C (liquid nitrogen) until immediately before injecting. 

Full training on storage and administration of the medicine is available from the Boehringer via face-to-face CPD at practice meetings or specific CPD events. For more information about these events, email vetenquiries@boehringer-ingelheim.com 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

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News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."