Schering-Plough Animal Health Corporation (SPAH) and Heska Corporation announced an agreement granting SPAH the distribution and marketing rights in the United States for Tri-Heart Plus Chewable Tablets, Heska's canine heartworm preventive product.

Under terms of the agreement, Heska will manufacture the product for SPAH at its Des Moines, Iowa, production facility. Financial details of the agreement are not being disclosed.

Tri-Heart Plus Chewable Tablets (ivermectin/pyrantel) are indicated for use as a monthly preventive treatment of canine heartworm disease and for treatment and control of ascarids and hookworms.

"This agreement marks our entry into the parasiticides segment of the companion animal market, one of the largest segments and an important area for our veterinary customers," said Hubert Trentesaux, Vice President, Global Companion Animal Business, SPAH. "Tri-Heart Plus Chewable Tablets will expand our product portfolio, which includes our recently launched Zubrin Rapidly-Disintegrating Tablet for control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs."

Robert Grieve, Chairman and CEO of Heska, said, "While we recognize the large market opportunity in canine heartworm prevention, the reality is that Tri-Heart Plus Chewable Tablets were not a great fit with our existing product portfolio and strategy. This agreement will allow us to capture revenue from the heartworm prevention market without the affiliated sales and marketing expenses."