Harnessing the power of science to change the future of pet health

Prevention is better than cure. It’s one of society’s oldest adages. Being able to stay healthy for as long as possible means stopping problems from arising in the first place, not just treating them when they arise. And one of the ways we can do that is to spot issues early on. Which is why I’m very proud that we are launching a new diagnostic tool that is able to predict whether or not a cat will develop chronic kidney disease (CKD) up to two years before it is typically diagnosed by a veterinarian. 

Similar to the diagnostic tools used by doctors to detect eye diseases and certain cancers in humans, the new diagnostic RenalTech works by identifying the presence (or not) of key CKD biomarkers. If found, veterinarians can then develop proactive personalised care plans before the disease takes hold.  From today, RenalTech will be part of the feline diagnostic tests in our Antech diagnostic business in the U.S. For both pet owners and veterinary professionals, this is a milestone moment. This kind of ground-breaking science means we could help veterinarians and pet owners improve the lives of cats and the people who love them.

CKD is a highly complex disease and the number one killer of cats aged over five years. I understand from our veterinarians that CKD is hard to diagnose before significant kidney damage has already occurred, at which point any treatment interventions are likely to have only a limited effect. Created by our Waltham scientists leveraging the anonymised medical data of more than 150,000 cats and 750,000 Banfield Pet Hospital patient visits over 20 years, RenalTech can predict CKD with greater than 95% accuracy. 

Looking forward, across Mars Petcare we are developing other diagnostic tools based on our research to help veterinarians diagnose and treat their patients (cats and dogs) earlier and more effectively than ever. From obesity and osteoarthritis to periodontitis and more, we will strive to evolve this technology to target some of the most critical health needs of our pets. 

Like everyone at Mars Petcare, I’m passionate about doing everything I can to help pets and their owners enjoy longer, healthier, happier lives together. That’s why, together with our experts and partners, we’re determined to be at the forefront of cutting-edge biomarker science and to continue pioneering new, better ways to prevent or manage diseases before they strike. 

Yes, today, our focus is on CKD and cats. But when it comes to harnessing the power of predictive diagnostics to create A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS, this really is just the beginning. We’re investing hundreds of millions of dollars a year in the research that’s leading us to such results – a commitment we will strengthen, as data-powered science continues to be a driver of our business.