On September 3, 2026, the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Capstar (nitenpyram) tablets and expanded the EUA for generic nitenpyram to cover both prevention and treatment of New World screwworm (NWS) infestations in dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens weighing at least two pounds and at least four weeks old. This is the first prevention authorization for any screwworm product in companion animals.
FDA Authorizes Screwworm Prevention for Pets
Capstar and generic nitenpyram gain first-ever prevention indication.

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Elanco's Capstar now has the first-ever prevention indication for screwworm, expanding the addressable market beyond treatment.
The direct winner is Elanco Animal Health (ELAN), which markets Capstar. The EUA expands the addressable market from treatment-only to prevention, increasing frequency of use and lifetime customer value. Generic nitenpyram manufacturers also benefit, though they are mostly private or foreign-owned. Elanco's veterinary franchise gains a new revenue stream as pet owners and vets adopt prevention protocols.
No clear loser—this is an unmet-need fill. Competitors in the flea/tick space (e.g., Zoetis ZTS with Simparica and NexGard) are not directly displaced because screwworm is a distinct parasitic threat, not a substitute for flea/tick prevention.
Watch for uptake data in Q4 2026. If screwworm becomes endemic in the U.S. (it is currently rare), prevention demand could accelerate sharply. Any expansion of the geographic range or severity of NWS infestations will drive Capstar volume.
Source: original report ↗
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