Sarcomune - the revolution in the equine sarcoid treatment

01/08/2021

Sommersemester 2021 / Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Equine sarcoids is the most widespread skin tumour among horses, and yet there is no universal treatment on the market. After extensive research at the VetMed University Vienna Dr Edmund Hainisch came up with an answer. The solution for this common problem lays in an immune-therapeutic vaccine. This can be injected directly into the affected area on the horse. The vaccine was developed by Dr Hainisch and his colleagues from the VetMed University in collaboration with the John Hopkins Institute. It represents a faster and safer treatment for equine sarcoid in the future and it will be introduced into the market under the name Sarcomune, in potential cooperation with Angothera, one of the most successful animal health biotech companies.

In collaboration with the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a Business Plan for the planned market launch has been created.

Goal

The main aim of this project was to provide Sarcomune with a professional business plan with a precise understanding of their target market B2B as well as B2C. Specifically, the identification of the market demand in the D-A-CH region had to be found out, as there has not been any information about the market size yet.

Methodology

To find out the market demand in the D-A-CH region, surveys were conducted. One specifically designed for horse veterinarians and one for horse owners. Multiple surveys were filled out by 115 veterinarians and 1.1869 horse owners, which made it possible to analyze the market size, competition, and target group much more precisely with the help of the obtained data.

The business plan was written iteratively, with workshops and external coaching sessions for each section. With these tools, it was possible to gain more information about the market, the financials, and the competitors.

Results

The conducted market research reveals that both, veterinarians, and horse owners, are interested in a vaccine.

For the veterinarians, the treatment options available now are either too complex or too ineffective, as the recurrence rate is quite high. Horse owners also seem to welcome a more effective treatment method, as the ones on the market require much time and money.

The iterative approach to write the business plan does not only allow gathering detailed information and writing in-depth but also ensures that the project partners approve of it.

Eventually, all the efforts result in the creation of a business plan with detailed information about the market, the competitors, customers, and about the financials, as well as marketing and sales. 

Cooperation Partner

  • Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien (VetMedUni Wien)
    Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Wien
    Austria
    vetmeduni.ac.at

Contact Person

  • Dipl.Tzt. Dr.Med.Vet. Edmund Hainisch, PhD
    Edmund.hainisch@vetmeduni.ac.at

Student Team

  • Hrapovic Sara

  • Popescu Alexandra

  • Porodko Paul Stefan Anton

  • Sadeghyar Zahra

Project Manager

  • Delpero Alessio, PhD, MBA

  • Olbrecht Richard, Msc