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MSD Animal Health, a subsidiary of the pharmaceutical company Merck and Co., today announced the completion of its acquisition of the aqua business portfolio of Elanco Animal Health Incorporated, one of its competitors. The acquisition bolsters MSD Animal Health’s position in the aquaculture and fisheries industries.
“With the completion of this acquisition, we are well positioned within the aquaculture industry with a robust and comprehensive portfolio across warm water, cold water, vaccines, anti-parasitic treatments, water supplements and nutrition,” said Rick DeLuca, MSD Animal Health president, in a press release.
“We are excited to welcome our new colleagues to MSD Animal Health and we look forward to working together, driven by our common purpose,” he added.
With the aquaculture industry growing at a significant rate, the role of pharmaceutical companies, such as MSD Animal Health, in overcoming problems such as fish disease and parasitism is increasing in tandem. Following its acquisition of the Elanco aquatic portfolio, MSD Animal Health now owns products which contribute to the solving of these challenges, such as a novel DNA-based vaccine against salmonid pancreas disease, and an innovative anti-lice treatment.