Merial Acquires Two Major Equine Health Products from Bayer
Press Release
Paris, France – December 17, 2014 – Sanofi today announced that Merial, its animal health company, has reached an agreement with Bayer HealthCare to purchase two Bayer equine health products, Legend®/Hyonate® (hyaluronate sodium) and Marquis® (ponazuril).
Legend/Hyonate is an injectable solution that treats noninfectious joint dysfunction in horses; and Marquis Antiprotozoal Oral Paste is the first FDA-approved treatment for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), a disease that affects the central nervous system in horses.
“We are pleased to add two top equine products to our global portfolio. Legend and Marquis are highly regarded by the horse community and further support our commitment to equine veterinarians, horse owners and trainers,” said Merial CEO and Sanofi EVP Carsten Hellmann. “This addition is one example of our strategy to invest in business opportunities that enable us to deliver innovative solutions to veterinarians across animal species.”
The purchase, expected to be finalized in early 2015, further broadens Merial’s portfolio of leading products that improve the health and performance of horses. Legend/Hyonate is primarily sold in the US and Canada, but is available in more than 40 countries with the UK and Japan as important markets. Marquis is only sold in the US and Canada. Merial plans to make both products available to veterinarians in countries around the world. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions.
Merial is a global leader in advancing the health of pets, horses and production animals. The company’s global equine portfolio currently includes products to treat and prevent Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome and to control parasites in horses, as well as vaccines to help prevent Equine West Nile Virus, Potomac Horse Fever, equine influenza, and rabies in horses. In October 2014, Merial launched its latest equine addition, with the EU approval of the updated equine influenza vaccine ProteqFlu®.