Merck, the US-based pharmaceuticals company known in Ireland as MSD, has announced the acquisition of French privately held digital animal health monitoring group Antelliq.

Merck said in a statement that it would make a cash payment of approximately €2.1bn to acquire all outstanding shares of Antelliq and will assume Antelliq’s debt of €1.15bn, which it intends to repay shortly after the closing of the acquisition. This is expected to happen next year after clearance of the merger by competition authorities.

Antelliq provides digital animal identification, traceability and monitoring solutions and had €360m in sales in the past year.

Its products and services help farmers, vets and pet owners gather data to improve management, health and wellbeing of livestock and pets.

Increasing requirements

With increasing regulatory and consumer requirements for control and information on drugs used in animals, the digitisation of medicine records is becoming more widespread on farms.

“The animal health industry is rapidly evolving with revolutionary digital solutions to manage the health and wellbeing of livestock and companion animals,” said Rick DeLuca, president of Merck Animal Health.

“Animal identification, animal monitoring and smart data management are critical components of this transformative technology. This acquisition represents yet another way that we will ensure our place as a leader in animal health."

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