Veterinary Pioneer Dr. Stephen Fisher Becomes Board Member at Anivive Lifesciences

Dr. Stephen Fisher Joins Anivive's Board of Directors

In a significant move for the veterinary industry, Anivive Lifesciences has appointed Dr. Stephen Fisher, a well-respected figure with over 50 years of industry experience, to its Board of Directors. This announcement, made on October 15, 2025, is part of Anivive's strategic transition from research to commercialization of its innovative therapies aimed at improving pet health.

Dr. Fisher previously served as the Global Vice President of Commercial and Head of Purchasing for MARS Veterinary Health, where he oversaw procurement operations spanning over 30,000,000 pets across more than 3,000 hospitals annually. His extensive background in pharmaceutical purchasing, diagnostics, and medical devices makes him an invaluable asset as Anivive advances its groundbreaking work towards the commercialization of a vaccine for Valley fever, a major health issue affecting both pets and humans.

Dylan Balsz, Anivive's Founder and CEO, expressed enthusiasm about Dr. Fisher's addition, emphasizing the critical timing of his expertise. With regulations tightening around veterinary health products, Fisher's experience in product placement, pricing strategy, and distribution will be instrumental in ensuring that Anivive successfully brings its innovations to market while meeting the needs of veterinarians and pet owners around the world.

Dr. Fisher began his career as a small animal veterinarian in Illinois, where he grew a solo practice into a successful multi-location veterinary group. He played an influential role in the growth of Veterinary Centers of America (VCA), where he was crucial during its IPO and in the company's eventual acquisition by MARS, worth $9 billion in 2017. After this acquisition, he led MARS Veterinary Health's global procurement until his retirement in March 2025.

Over his distinguished career, Dr. Fisher has actively participated on various nonprofit and scientific boards, including the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation and the Phoenix Zoo, demonstrating his commitment to both veterinary medicine and community service. His particular passion for combating Valley fever, a disease that affected his own pets, has driven him to advocate for a preventive vaccine for over ten years. He was quoted saying, “I’m honored to help bring Anivive's groundbreaking solutions to market.”

Valley fever has become increasingly prevalent, particularly in the southwestern United States, with infection rates surging 600% in the last decade. The disease impacts nearly 30 million dogs and is also a significant concern for around 100 million humans in endemic regions. Currently, no preventive vaccine is available, making Anivive's initiative highly anticipated and regarded as a potential game-changer in the field.

Anivive has recently procured a $33 million contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to further develop this crucial vaccine. The company also launched a direct-to-veterinarian platform called Engage, which has successfully processed over 25,000 diagnostic orders relating to cancer treatments since its launch in early 2024. This focus on technology integration in veterinary healthcare underscores Anivive's commitment to leading the way in this niche sector.

As Dr. Fisher joins Anivive's Board, the company is poised at a pivotal junction, ready to leverage his extensive knowledge and industry insight to tackle pressing veterinary health challenges. Looking ahead, we can anticipate exciting advancements in veterinary pharmaceuticals that will significantly impact pet healthcare, making this a transformative period for both Anivive and the broader veterinary community.