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§ Private Profile · Leawood, KS, USA
Biopharmaceutical firm developing and commercializing veterinary drugs for companion animals, focused on prescription treatments.
Aratana Therapeutics is a Leawood, Kansas-based biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes prescription medications for companion animals. The firm focuses on veterinary therapeutics targeting specific medical conditions in dogs and cats, including osteoarthritis pain management, post-operative pain, and appetite stimulation. Operating as a publicly traded entity under the stock ticker NASDAQ: PETX, the organization maintained a market capitalization fluctuating between $200 million and $300 million. During its independent commercial operations, executive leadership including Craig Tooman and Julia Stephanus helped secure FDA approval for flagship pharmaceutical products such as Galliprant, Entyce, and Nocita. In July 2019, the business was officially acquired by Elanco Animal Health in a strategic transaction valued at approximately $245 million to bolster the acquirer's broader companion animal therapeutics portfolio. Aratana Therapeutics was founded in 2010 by Steven St. Peter and David Rosen.
Aratana Therapeutics has raised $47.0M across 3 funding rounds.
Aratana Therapeutics has raised $47.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Aratana Therapeutics has raised $47.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Aratana Therapeutics's investors include Avalon Ventures, Cultivian Sandbox Ventures, Ed Mathers, Pfizer Venture Investments, T1D Fund, Cultivian Ventures, Steven Peter, The Kauffman Foundation, Kansas Bioscience Authority.
Aratana Therapeutics has raised $47.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $12.0M Series C in January 2013.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 31, 2013 | $12M Series C | — | — | Announced |
| Dec 1, 2011 | $15M Series B | — | Avalon Ventures, Cultivian Sandbox Ventures, ED Mathers, Pfizer Venture Investments, T1D Fund, Cultivian Ventures, Steven Peter, The Kauffman Foundation | Announced |
| Jan 1, 2011 | $20M Series A | Avalon Ventures, Steven Peter | ED Mathers, Pfizer Venture Investments, T1D Fund, Kansas Bioscience Authority | Announced |
Aratana Therapeutics is a biotechnology company specializing in pet therapeutics, not a general technology company focused on software or digital products. It develops and commercializes innovative treatments for dogs and cats, addressing unmet needs in areas like appetite stimulation, post-operative pain relief, atopic dermatitis, pain/inflammation, and oncology.[1][2][3] Key marketed products include Entyce® (FDA-approved appetite stimulant for dogs) and Nocita® (long-acting local anesthetic providing up to 72 hours of pain relief post-surgery in dogs and cats), serving veterinarians and pet owners while contributing to a pipeline of five additional candidates.[2] Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Leawood, Kansas (with operations noted in Kansas City, KS), the company grew to over 120 employees before its acquisition by Elanco Animal Health in 2019, enhancing Elanco's specialty veterinary portfolio.[1][2]
Aratana Therapeutics was founded in 2010 as a pet therapeutics developer, emerging from the need for specialized animal health innovations beyond human pharmaceuticals.[1][2] Specific founders are not detailed in available records, but leadership like CEO Craig Tooman highlighted the company's track record in drug development and delivery to veterinary specialists.[2] Early traction came from breakthrough products like Entyce® and Nocita®, positioning Aratana as an innovative startup in animal health.[2] A pivotal moment was the 2019 acquisition by Elanco, announced as a strategic move to leverage Elanco's U.S. presence, international expansion potential, and innovation capabilities, allowing Aratana's full pipeline value to be realized under a larger platform.[2]
Aratana rides the rising trend of pet humanization and advanced veterinary biotech, where pet ownership growth and willingness to invest in treatments mirror human healthcare spending. Timing aligned with expanding animal health markets, fueled by aging pet populations and demand for targeted therapies amid post-2010 biotech investment booms.[1][2] Market forces like regulatory approvals (e.g., FDA for Entyce®) and consolidation (e.g., Elanco acquisition) favored specialized players, amplifying Aratana's influence by integrating its innovations into global portfolios and accelerating international reach.[2] It contributes to the ecosystem by pioneering pet therapeutics, bridging biotech with veterinary care and inspiring similar startups in a sector projected for sustained growth.
Post-2019 acquisition, Aratana's products and pipeline are integrated into Elanco's specialty veterinary business, likely driving expanded commercialization, international approvals, and pipeline advancements in oncology and chronic conditions.[2] Trends like AI-assisted drug discovery and personalized pet medicine could further enhance its legacy, with Elanco's resources positioning it for outsized impact. As pet therapeutics evolve, Aratana exemplifies how biotech innovation transforms animal health—easing "old dogs' stiff joints" and beyond—shaping a more advanced ecosystem for veterinarians and owners.[3]