• Former MARS/VCA Global Head of Purchasing oversaw procurement for 30,000,000 pets annually across 3,000+ hospitals
• Dr. Fisher brings 50+ years of go-to-market expertise as Anivive advances world’s first Valley fever vaccine toward commercialization
• Joins former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other industry leaders on Anivive’s Board

LONG BEACH, Calif., Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Anivive Lifesciences, a software-driven pet pharmaceutical company, today announced the appointment of Stephen Fisher, DVM, to its Board of Directors. Dr. Fisher’s appointment marks a pivotal milestone as Anivive transitions from a research-focused organization to a commercial-stage company preparing to bring breakthrough therapies for pets to market.

Dr. Fisher most recently served as Global Vice President of Commercial and Head of Purchasing for MARS Veterinary Health, one of the largest animal health enterprises in the world. In this role, he oversaw product purchasing across pharmaceuticals, biologics, diagnostics, and medical devices—responsible for purchasing vaccines and veterinary supplies for 30,000,000 pets annually across 3,000 hospitals serving 70,000 veterinary professionals.

“Steve’s appointment couldn’t come at a more critical time,” said Dylan Balsz, Founder and CEO of Anivive. “As we advance our Valley fever vaccine through the regulatory process and expand our oncology diagnostics, Steve’s decades of experience in pricing strategy, product placement, and distribution will be instrumental in bringing our innovations to veterinarians and pet owners worldwide.”

Dr. Fisher began his career as a small animal veterinarian in Illinois, building a single-doctor practice into a thriving 10-practice veterinary group, which he sold to Veterinary Centers of America (VCA) during the company’s early growth phase. He played a key role in VCA’s evolution through its IPO and eventual $9 billion acquisition by MARS, Incorporated in 2017. Following the acquisition, Dr. Fisher built and led MARS Veterinary Health’s global procurement organization until his retirement in March 2025.

Over his 50-year career, Dr. Fisher has become one of the most trusted and influential figures in the veterinary industry. He has served on numerous nonprofit and scientific boards, including the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation, the Phoenix Zoo, Morris Animal Foundation, and most recently joined the Arizona Humane Society Board of Trustees.

“I’ve watched Anivive challenge the status quo in animal health for years, tackling diseases like cancer and Valley fever that have personally affected my own pets,” said Dr. Fisher. “I’ve been advocating for a Valley fever vaccine for over a decade, and I’m honored to help bring Anivive’s groundbreaking solutions to market.”

Valley fever affects nearly 30 million dogs and 100 million people living in endemic regions across the southwestern United States. Infection rates have surged 600% over the past decade, yet no preventive vaccine currently exists.

Anivive’s Valley fever vaccine is the first antifungal vaccine to demonstrate efficacy and safety across multiple species. The company has secured a $33 million contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to advance the development of the vaccine for use in humans. Anivive’s direct-to-veterinarian platform, Engage, launched in early 2024 and has already processed over 25,000 orders for its specialty diagnostics and next-generation genomic sequencing for cancer patients.

About Anivive Lifesciences

Anivive Lifesciences is a pet pharmaceutical company at the forefront of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and veterinary medicine. Our mission is to transform veterinary healthcare by accelerating the development of novel, affordable treatments for life-threatening diseases in pets. Through our proprietary AI platform, we are pioneering first-in-class therapeutics in Oncology, Antivirals, and Antifungal Vaccines, setting new standards for innovation and excellence in the industry. To learn more, visit anivive.com.

SOURCE Anivive Lifesciences Inc.