The domestic animal health market just got more competitive, with one more multinational player -- drug-maker Sanofi’s animal health division Merial, sealing a deal in this segment.

Merial had formalised an agreement to acquire the animal health division of Dosch Pharmaceuticals Private Ltd in December last year. Merial said, on Friday, that it had received all regulatory approvals required to close the acquisition.

The acquired business, now the animal health division of Sanofi Synthelabo India, will commence marketing Dosch’s 86 animal health products and 50 brands for poultry, companion animals and so on, besides continuing the process of registering Merial brands for companion and production animals for commercialisation in India, Sanofi said.

Around 270 employees of Dosch are also expected to move into the Merial fold. Dosch animal health division’s Chief Executive Sharat Tugnait, and his management team will continue to oversee the combined Merial/Dosch operations in Mumbai, the Sanofi note said, adding that the operations would be directed by Merial’s India Country Manager, Mayank Parekh.

Ground realities

Globally, Merial clocked revenues of $2.8 billion last year, and is a major player in the companion animal and avian segments.

The domestic animal health market, estimated at over Rs 2,000 crore, already has major players like Novartis, Bayer, Vétoquinol, Virbac, Ventri (of Venkateshwara Hatcheries), Cargill (through its acquisition of Provimi), Zydus Cadila and Intas Pharma.

jyothi.datta@thehindu.co.in

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