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University of Surrey and Zoetis launch vHive 2.0
Researchers at vHive 2.0 will work to develop new innovations in animal health.
The partnership aims to improve animal health with digital technologies.

The University of Surrey and animal health company Zoetis have launched the latest incarnation of their Veterinary Health Innovation Engine (vHive) collaboration.

First launched in 2015, vHive allowed staff from the Zoetis Centre for Digital Innovation and academics from the University of Surrey's School of Veterinary Medicine to collaborate on research into the use of digital technologies to improve animal health.

Expanding the partnership, vHive 2.0 will look at ways to apply new technologies from human healthcare, including artificial intelligence, big data and health informatics. It is hoped the research will lead to insights and solutions which will help veterinary professionals, pet owners and farmers.

The new tools already being developed as part of vHive 2.0 include analysing social media posts through social listening to find improved ways to support owners whose pets have common conditions.

The original vHive contributed to the work done by the African Livestock Productivity and Health Advancement initiative (ALPHA) which has helped to tackle diseases and increase productivity for livestock farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Rimma Driscoll, executive vice-president and head of global strategy, commercial and business development, and Global BioDevices at Zoetis, said: “There is a very good complementarity on the expertise that Zoetis and University of Surrey are contributing to in this partnership towards innovation and forward-thinking technologies in this sector. We expect that vHive will benefit the agri-health industry tremendously and towards sustainability.”

Prof Tony Whetton, director of vHive, added: “To advance animal health, it is important to utilise all the available data and use it well with modern informatics methods. vHive will break down silos that have existed in the past, developing multidisciplinary research for improved animal health.”

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.