10:12am UK, Wednesday June 16, 2004

Drugs-from-plants company Phytopharm is launching a money-spinning new product - an arthritis drug for dogs.

Feeling ruff and dog-eared

The introduction of Zanthofen follows its eczema treatment for the animals which it put on the market in March.

Phytopharm says joint disorders affect a fifth of dogs over a year old.

This has created a market worth more than £10m a year in Britain and £40m in the US.

The company derives its products from plant species.

It has signed a distribution deal with veterinary specialist Genitrix.

The two firms will shares the sales revenues, after manufacturing costs are deducted.

Veterinary medicines are easier to bring to the market than those destined for humans, which have to complete three stages of clinical trials before being assessed for wider use.