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Iron Paw Award

Recognizing Excellence in Animal Health

About the Iron Paw Award

The Iron Paw Award honors exceptional individuals who have made a lasting impact on the global animal health industry, regardless of title or tenure.

Nominees may be recognized for early-career excellence, lifelong dedication, innovation, leadership or other meaningful contributions across research, academia, industry or government.

The award is presented annually at the Animal Health Summit in Kansas City, with recipients selected by the Animal Health Corridor Advisory Board.

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2025 Iron Paw Award Recipient

The Animal Health Corridor is thrilled to announce the 2025 Iron Paw Award Recipient is Edward J. Robb DVM, MS, DACVN.

Dr. Edward Robb
A Lifelong Calling
Summarizing Dr. Edward Robb’s professional accomplishments is no easy task. As he likes to say, he tries not to confuse his calling, from his job, from his career, because he’s had many of each. But his prominent achievement in the world of animal health is being a veterinarian.
Academic Foundations
Dr. Robb began his academic pursuits with a B.S. and D.V.M. from Cornell University. Remaining in the Northeast, Dr. Robb practiced in New York before completing an M.S. in epidemiology and residency in Veterinary Nutrition at the University of Pennsylvania. He is Board Certified in Veterinary Internal Medicine (nutrition).
Early Industry Roles
Following clinical practice and serving as a Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Robb joined American Cyanamid Company in product development with a focus on somatotropins. Here he ventured into the business side of animal health, holding various technical and business/marketing positions. Later at The Upjohn Company, in Kalamazoo, MI, he served as Director and Senior Director of Worldwide Animal Health Clinical Research and Product Development. Here he led teams in the development of the broadline of ceftiofur products.
Pharmacia & Pfizer Leadership
He also proudly served in this role at Pharmacia Corp. When Pharmacia was acquired by Pfizer., Dr. Robb advanced within the company, excelling in the following positions: Director, Senior Director, Biologicals Development, Senior Director for Market Support, Executive Director, and Global Project Development & Clinical Research, Sr. Director, and Head of Research for Embrex Inc.
Expanding R&D at BI
In Feb 2008, Dr. Robb was appointed as Vice President of Research and Development at Boehringer-Ingelheim Vetmedica. Dr. Robb grew this research and development organization in the U.S. from 90 full-time employees to more than 240 and accelerated research investment from less than $30 million a year to more than $70 million a year.
Executive Leadership at Ceva & Parnell
Continuing to learn, grow, and leave a lasting impact, Dr. Robb joined Ceva Animal Health as Vice President of Business Development where he took on roles as Vice President for Pharmaceutical Research in the U.S. A year later, he was named Chief Scientific Officer of Parnell Veterinary Pharmaceuticals.
Entrepreneurial Consulting
After working in executive roles for many years, Dr. Robb founded BioPharmaPotentials (BPP) where he has served as CEO for more than a decade. BPP specializes in animal health product development consulting. BPP and its associates have a stellar client list with innovative development projects across multiple therapeutic categories, geographies, and technologies.
Innovating for the Future
As if that weren’t enough, Dr. Robb also serves as Chief Strategy Officer for Anivive Lifesciences with a focus on developing a novel avirulent live vaccine for Valley Fever (Coccidioiodes posadasii/immitis). This will be the first fungal vaccine of its kind, and the program continues to expand across species from canines to mankind. In addition, Dr. Robb continues to assist many other animal health companies as an Advisor, Consultant, Veterinarian, Regulatory Official or in a Scientific Board or Board of Director role. To put it simply, he stays busy and continues to make a lasting impact on the industry.
Family and Passions
When he's not working, Dr. Robb spends time with his family, now with four grandchildren and another on the way. This prompted a move to Massachusetts in late 2024, so he and his wife, Susan, can be grandparents on call. This leaves some time for skiing, cycling, woodworking, or seizing any opportunity to be in the mountains or on Lake Champlain.

Celebrating Dr. Robb

Showcasing the milestones, achievements and passion that define Dr. Robb’s lasting influence.

Honoring Past Recipients

We proudly recognize previous Iron Paw Award recipients whose leadership, innovation and dedication have left a lasting impact on the global animal health industry.

2024 | Craig S. Wallace

2023 | Fabian Kausche, M.S., Dr. med.vet.

2022 | Scott Campbell, DVM

2021 | None

2020 | Dr. Kerri Marshall

2019 | Dr. Linda Rhodes

2018| Kim Allen

2017 | Rich Shuler

2016 | Dr. William P. Duncan

2015 | Dr. Ralph C. Richardson

2014 | Ron Brakke

2013 | Dr. James Nave

2012 | George Heidgerken

2011 | Joerg Ohle

2010 | Bob Wheeler

2009 | Fintan Molloy

2008 | Tom Corcoran

2007 | Wes Remington

Want to nominate someone?

Let us know who is making a real difference in the animal health industry.

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