xénos' largest investment helps keep the UK’s 1.3 million
horses in the best of health
05/08/2011
An equine health company which provides an innovative
‘Intelligent Worming’ service for horse owners has received a
£610,000 investment from a xénos business angel.
Carmarthen-based EPLA will use the investment to build a bespoke
diagnostic laboratory and accelerate its growth. EPLA
estimates that there are over 70,000 horse owners in the UK and the
equine worming treatment market is valued at £75
million-a-year.
EPLA, which is the only provider of such a service in the UK,
designs individual worming programmes for horses and delivers the
treatment at the right time. Founder, Diane Gilby developed
its service in partnership with the University of Liverpool.
“Our service is revolutionising equine healthcare by making it
easier to administer an effective worming programme. We’ve
developed a convenient, cost-effective service that provides peace
of mind for horse owners and we’re already treating over 6,000
horses,” explained EPLA’s Managing Director, Graham Williams.
“Fewer than 10% of owners are worming their horses correctly and
with our ‘Intelligent Worming’ service we can assess a horse’s worm
infestation, carry out a risk assessment, devise an appropriate
worming programme and automatically despatch treatments at the
right time.”
EPLA has previously received investment from two xénos angels,
including Robin Williams who has made this latest investment.
Commenting on his latest investment, Williams said: “I was keen
to increase my investment in EPLA because it provides a unique
service aimed at the large animal health market. Demand for
the company’s service is growing and there are also some exciting
plans for the future. They say the UK is a nation of horse
lovers and EPLA has come up with a great service to make sure UK
horses stay in the best of health.”
Gilby was keen to secure investment for EPLA from an angel who
could also play a part in developing the business, so she
approached xénos, the Wales Business Angel Network.
Colin Lucas, xénos manager said: “This is our largest investment
to date and it’s an excellent example of xénos in action.
We’ve matched a great business with an angel who has invested twice
and has the skills to help the company grow. I’d urge other
businesses to contact us to see whether or not they could benefit
from angel investment.”
EPLA estimates that there are over 1.3 million horses in the UK
and the market for equine wormers and faecal egg counts is valued
at £75 million-a-year.
Visit EPLA’s online shop www.intelligentworming.co.uk.
Media enquiries
Helen Walker-Smith
E-mail: helen.walker-smith@financewales.co.uk
Telephone: 029 2033 8149