ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (November 12, 2009) – Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI), announces that PROZINC™ (protamine zinc recombinant human insulin) has been approved for veterinary use by the Food and Drug Administration. PROZINC is an aqueous protamine zinc (PZI) suspension of recombinant human insulin that is used to reduce hyperglycemia in cats with diabetes mellitus.

According to Kurt Peterson, DVM, technical veterinarian with BIVI, PROZINC is the first, and currently the only, recombinant human PZI insulin available for the management of feline diabetes mellitus. “Extensive research has demonstrated that PROZINC is safe and effective for controlling hyperglycemia in newly diagnosed cats and diabetic cats that have not responded well to previous treatment therapies.”*

In addition, Dr. Peterson said the research shows that PROZINC provides consistent absorption with long duration of action, which resulted in consistent and predictable blood glucose control in diabetic cats.*

“Because PROZINC is a protamine zinc recombinant human insulin, it offers some key advantages. First, recombinant technology is not subject to the raw material sourcing challenges seen with animal-source insulin products. Secondly, the protamine and zinc formulation of PROZINC provides a long duration of effect.”

Practitioners and cat owners who have used PZI-VET in the past should find this product to be comparable in potency, onset and duration of glycemic control.** PROZINC should be administered with a U-40 insulin syringe and has an initial recommended dose range of 0.1-0.3 IU insulin/pound of body weight every 12 hours. For more information about PROZINC and its use in managing feline diabetes, visit www.PROZINC.us. PROZINC will be available for sale to veterinarians beginning November 16, 2009. Veterinarians should contact their distributor or BIVI representative for more details and product availability.

*Field Safety and Efficacy of PZIR for Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus in Cats; Nelson et al; J Vet Internal Med 2009; 23:787-793.
** Norsworthy GD, Lynn R, Cole C. Preliminary Study of Protamine Zinc Recombinant Insulin for the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus in Cats. Veterinary Therapeutics. 2009; 10: 24-28.