17/10/2011Posted : October 17, 2011
Elanco investment 'great news in a difficult climate'

Following the acquisition of Janssen Animal Health, which was finalised in July, Elanco's parent company Eli Lilly has expressed a commitment to the animal health sector.

The company has announced that it will be continuing its investment in the animal health industry, particularly in the companion health and dairy sectors.

The companion animal health division of Elanco was launched in October 2010 and, this July, Elanco secured a greater slice of the animal health market by acquiring Janssen Animal Health from Johnson and Johnson. The deal included the manufacturing and distribution rights of approximately 50 veterinary pharmaceutical products.

Elanco currently markets veterinary products to more than 75 countries, has offices in more than 40 countries and employs approximately than 2,300 people globally.

In April this year Elanco launched Comfortis, an oral flea treatment for dogs, in the UK. The beef-flavoured chewable tablet, which contains the active ingredient spinosad, was well established in the US when launched in the UK. An Elanco spokesman said the company is expected to launch three other new products in the coming months. 

The spokesman also said the company will be expanding its Elanco Elite Rewards discount scheme early next year, allowing qualifying practices to earn discounts across the company's product range.

Commenting on progress within the organisation, Elanco UK and Ireland director Mike Brown said: "Our acquisition of Janssen will strengthen our presence in the companion animal sector, which will be further boosted with the launch of three innovative new products in the next year. This investment is great news in a difficult climate, when many companies are looking to sell off their animal health businesses or reduce their research and development investment."