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Elanco finalises acquisition of Novartis
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Elanco says it plans to significantly increase research and development.

Combined businesses involved in more than 100 development projects

Global animal health company Elanco has finalised its acquisition of Novartis Animal Health. Announcing the news yesterday, Elanco said it plans to significantly increase research and development going forward.

The purchase was announced in April last year, following the company's earlier purchase of Lohmann Animal Health. Both acquisitions position Elanco to diversify its offering.

In addition to its flagship brands, Elanco now has a broader portfolio of nearly 300 brands - including vaccines, therapeutics, antimicrobials, parasiticides and food safety.

“Elanco’s acquisition of Novartis Animal Health brings together two strong companies with a passion for serving the customer,” said Gaynor Hillier, general manager in the UK and Ireland. “We will continue to offer the products our customers trust, while significantly investing in the development of new solutions to meet our customers’ greatest unmet needs.”

Combined, the companies are working on more than 100 product development projects, focused on three key areas:

  • Enhancing care and improving quality of life for pets, as well as preventing disease and protecting from parasites
  • Protecting livestock from disease and parasites, improving animal wellbeing and reducing the environmental footprint of livestock production
  • Providing a wider set of solutions in areas such as enzymes, diagnostics, aquaculture and vaccines

Elanco, which is a division of the leading pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company, also aims to help farmers around the world to produce more food using fewer resources to meet growing demands.

Complete integration of the two companies will take time but Elanco says its existing service and product availability will continue uninterrupted.

 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.