History of the development of the BioEos Capsules
By Professor John Stanford Scientific Director, BioEos Ltd.

Sweet-itch is a problem caused by an excessive reaction to the bites of midges. It begins with an intolerably itchy allergic reaction to the saliva of the midge, which is then followed by an autoimmune over-reaction as the horse’s immune system attempts to right the original wrong. During this process thickening and ulceration of the skin occurs and this only returns to normal at the end of the midge season. Both the allergy and the autoimmunity are caused by a dysregulation of the immune system to a mode known as Th2. Treatments which cause the immune system to return to the positive mode, known as Th1, are likely to be successful. This has already been accomplished in human medicine in eczema and asthma, using a very similar approach.

Over the last 7 years we have been working on developing a simple and safe product, based on a suspension of heat-killed bacilli of a carefully selected species. This modulates the immune response from the dysregulation that leads to sweet-itch to a more normal response to midge bites. This also corrects problems with the subsequent tissue-healing process. One of our difficulties has been to work out the optimal schedule for use of the treatment. We started with intradermal injections, then capsules being given orally at monthly intervals, then fortnightly, but now "feed-back" suggest it is better for the capsules to be fed weekly. The treatment is extremely safe with few reports of even minor side effects.

We have found from analysis of owner’s end-of-year assessment forms, submitted during the last years of trials, that some 90% of horses show an improvement in their symptoms. In 70% of horses there is a 50% or more improvement and in 10% of horses a 90% or more improvement. Of those few horses that do not respond well there is some evidence that they benefit from successive years of treatment.

‘The Capsules’ from BioEos.

We’ve known them as ‘The Capsules’ for what seems like an eternity. In our first year of collaboration with BioEos, eight years ago, the Sweet Itch Centre played host to eighteen equines, all suffering quite severely. Today over 1,400 horses ponies and donkeys have been involved in the trials, and the capsules (non-steroidal) have gone from strength to strength with many success stories being reported. It has been a fascinating journey and we are delighted that we have been able to help make it happen.

Those of you whose horses were involved in the early days will know that BioEos started treatment with a course of three intra-dermal injections, followed by capsules fed once a month. The potential cost to owners was high as each injection had to be administered by a Veterinary Surgeon and the results were not spectacular.

Feed back from owners over the years suggested that giving a capsule weekly gave the best results and now the recommendation is for a weekly capsule to be fed through-out the year. There is no down-side to this as it has been ably demonstrated, during the strictest of regulated trials, that no unwanted side effects are evident.

Now we have come ‘full circle’. Injections are no longer necessary and the little white capsules have come of age, been re-packaged in atmospherically sealed blister packs and re-branded and patented as ‘Bio Plus Equine’ - although we will probably always think of them as ‘The Capsules’!

How to Administer
One a week - it couldn’t be easier! The little capsule is inserted into a hole made in a small piece of apple or carrot, or disguised in a tiny amount of coarse mix, and fed by hand. This way, if there are several horses in a group, you can feed the capsule to the one you want, without being mobbed by the others, as could happen if you entered the field swinging a bucket!

When to Administer
We have been asked many times over the years “When should I start feeding the capsules?” or “When should I stop?” Now it’s simple. Climate change may well be playing havoc with our seasons, but, for your horse’s sake, continue to feed all year round – don’t stop.

Lower Pricing
Good news on the price front: Previously owners paid £240 inc. VAT and p&p for 40 capsules. Now, for the same price, 52 capsules (a full year’s supply) will be provided. Smaller quantities are available as follows. The prices include VAT and p. and p.

26 capsules (6 months supply) £140.
12 capsules (3 months supply) £75.

Jennifer Greaves, The National Sweet Itch Centre