Eli Lilly to buy Boehringer Ingelheim's US pet vaccines business for $885 mn

05 Oct 2016

US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly Co today struck a deal to buy German drugmaker Boehringer Ingelheim's US pet vaccines business and a manufacturing plant for $885 million.

The sale is part of the EU regulatory requirement for Boehringer Ingelheim's June asset €11.4 billion asset swap with Sanofi for its Merial animal-health business for Boehringer's €6.7-billion consumer-health operation excluding China. (See: Boehringer Ingelheim offers concession to EU for its $25-bn asset swap with Sanofi)

Under the deal, Elanco US., Inc., a subsidiary of Eli Lilly will acquire Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.'s US feline, canine and rabies vaccines portfolio and its Iowa-based manufacturing plant and R&D site.

Indiana-based Elanco, whose US portfolio includes parasiticides, pain and dermatology medicines, said that the deal will diversify its animal portfolio by complementing its offerings for dogs and cats.

The deal will give Elanco routinely administered vaccines for bordetella, Lyme disease, rabies and parvovirus, among others, and also several pipeline assets.

The Fort Dodge, Iowa-based facility brings capacity to manufacture the acquired products as well as R&D and testing capabilities, including an on-site veterinary research center and lab space.

"We understand the unique bond that owners share with pets and are committed to helping those pets live longer, healthier lives," said Jeff Simmons, president, Elanco Animal Health.

"With a growing portfolio addressing both prevention and treatment of disease, Elanco can partner with veterinarians and pet caregivers to do just that," he added.