Calgary firm Solvet gains emergency U.S. clearance for horse ivermectin against screwworm
Solvet, a Calgary-based veterinary drug maker, received emergency use authorization from the FDA to sell its liquid ivermectin for horses in the United States to help curb a renewed screwworm threat.
The FDA granted emergency use authorization to Solvet’s horse ivermectin liquid, an aqueous solution that is more concentrated and easier to apply than traditional pastes. This approval follows the discovery of screwworm larvae on a Texas calf, prompting the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to block animal imports from the state. While sterile-male fly releases are being revived, the agency’s call for pharmaceutical help led to Solvet’s rapid assessment and clearance for a label limited to screwworm prevention in horses, administered within 24 hours of birth or wound treatment.
Veterinarian and parasitology expert John Gilleard affirmed the drug’s potential to stop larvae from damaging tissue but cautioned that indiscriminate use could encourage resistance in other parasites. CEO Lionel Gibbs emphasized the move’s importance for animal welfare and highlighted the commercial upside for Solvet and the broader Alberta research sector. The CFIA continues to monitor the situation, noting that Canada’s climate is unfavorable for long-term screwworm establishment.
Why it matters
The clearance provides a fast-acting tool to protect livestock as a costly parasitic fly re-emerges in North America.
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