EUROPE’S first “tissue bank” for vets is being opened near Wrexham.
Veterinary Tissue Bank Ltd, based at Chirk, will process and supply bone and soft tissue to help vets heal badly injured pets.
Until now, there was no European facility for tissue transplantation in dogs and cats. VTB has been set up by vets to help colleagues with these procedures.
The company was co-founded by Peter Myint and John Innes, Professor of Small Animal Surgery at the University of Liverpool, after market research showed a clear need throughout Europe.
Dr Myint is a veterinary graduate but with over 15 years of experience in human tissue banking where he has primarily been involved with sourcing and processing human bone for tissue transplantation. Professor Innes has 17 years experience in orthopaedic surgery in small animals.
Dr Myint said: “In the first instance, we will be working with selected veterinary clinics to develop our ethical donor programme with pet owners.
“We hope that some owners will find some comfort at their time of bereavement that, though they have lost their pet, they are able to help another in need through the gift of tissue donation.”
VTB was assisted by the Assembly Government's Flexible Support for Business service which provides business start-up support as well as a whole range of other backing to business in all parts of Wales.
Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: “I congratulate Dr Myint and Professor Innes on a pioneering venture which will be a boon to the veterinary service – and which also serves to underline the sheer diversity of new enterprises which are now being supported by the Assembly Government.”
