Strategic acquisition of IdentiGEN strengthens MSD Animal Health’s offerings in tracking farmed fish and livestock from production to dinner tables.
In a press release, pharmaceutical giant MSD Animal Health (know as Merck Animal Health in USA) has announced that it has completed the acquisition of IdentiGEN, a leader in DNA-based animal traceability solutions for livestock and aquaculture from MML Growth Capital Partners Ireland. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
IdentiGEN’s technology combines each species’ unique DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and data analytics to provide an evidence-based animal traceability solution, called DNA TraceBack, to accurately and precisely trace beef, seafood, pork and poultry that is verifiable from farm-to-table.
“Food producers, processors and retailers are looking for accurate and complete animal traceability solutions that provide full accountability, as well as greater transparency, quality and sustainability of food sources for consumers. The addition of specialized, digital technology within our portfolio of medicines, vaccines and services, provides holistic solutions to help advance animal health and complements our existing identification and monitoring technology that delivers real-time, actionable data and insights to help, improve or enhance animal management and health outcomes,” wrote MSD Animal Health in the release.
“Enhanced digital technology will play an increasingly important role in food traceability and food safety, providing customers critical information and actionable data to help ensure a sustainable supply of quality food to protect public health,” said Rick DeLuca, president, Merck Animal Health. “We now will be able to provide end-to-end animal traceability solutions at industry scale to improve the health and safety of animals and ensure even greater transparency in our food supply.”
“The highly skilled employees at IdentiGEN, led by Ronan Loftus and Ciaran Meghen, exemplify our commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, and we look forward to collaborating with the team to leverage our scientific and technical capabilities and expertise to shape the future of animal health,” added DeLuca.
In April 2019, Merck Animal Health announced the completion of its acquisition of Antelliq Corporation and its market-leading brands, Allflex Livestock Intelligence, Sure Petcare and Biomark as leaders in emerging digital technology with animal identification, animal monitoring and smart data management for Livestock and Companion Animals.
In December 2019, the company acquired Vaki, a company that provides fish farming and wild fish conservation monitoring equipment and real-time video monitoring technology to advance fish health and welfare.
