MSD Animal Health completes acquisition of aquatic business

MSD Animal Health, a subsidiary of pharmaceutical company Merck and Co., today announced the completion of the acquisition of the aquaculture business portfolio of Elanco Animal Health Incorporated, one of its competitors. The acquisition strengthens MSD Animal Health’s position in the aquaculture and fisheries industries.

“With the completion of this acquisition, we are well-positioned in the aquaculture industry with a robust and comprehensive portfolio that includes hot and cold water, vaccines, parasite control, water supplements and nutrition,” Rick DeLuca, president of MSD Animal Health, said in a press release.

“We are delighted to welcome our new colleagues to MSD Animal Health and look forward to working together towards a common goal,” he added.

As the aquaculture industry continues to grow significantly, the role of pharmaceutical companies such as MSD Animal Health in overcoming challenges such as fish diseases and parasitism is growing in tandem. After acquiring Elanco’s portfolio in the aquatic sector, MSD Animal Health now has products that contribute to solving these challenges, such as a novel DNA-based vaccine against salmonid pancreas disease and an innovative treatment against lice.