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European Commission approves Elanco's acquisition of Bayer Animal Health
"We look forward to turning our full attention to delivering innovation"  - Jeff Simmons, Elanco.

Approval "an important milestone" toward completion.

The proposed acquisition of Bayer's animal health division by Elanco has been approved by the European Commission (EC).

In a press release, Elanco said that it continues to progress toward a mid-year closing, anticipated August 3, 2020. The deal, valued at $7.6 billion, would see Elanco become the second largest company in the animal health sector.

“Approval from the European Commission is an important milestone toward the completion of our acquisition of Bayer Animal Health," commented Jeff Simmons, president and CEO of Elanco.

“As the transaction edges closer to fruition, we look forward to turning our full attention to delivering innovation and an expanded portfolio of solutions for farmers, veterinarians and pet owners across the globe."

Elanco previously announced divestiture agreements, in the range of $120 million to $140 million, to help advance the needed regulatory reviews. The EC’s approval is conditional on several of these proposed divestitures, including:

  • divestiture of the worldwide rights for Osurnia® to Dechra Pharmaceuticals
  • divestiture of the worldwide rights for Vecoxan® to Merck Animal Health
  • divestiture of European Economic Area and UK rights to the Drontal® and Profender® product families, and related pipeline assets, from Bayer Animal Health to Vetoquinol.
     
Mr Simmons continued: “The recent months have only underscored the critical work our farmers do in delivering meat, milk, fish and eggs, and the importance of providing pet owners and veterinarians with a variety of solutions in multiple channels from telemedicine and e-commerce to direct home delivery. Combining Bayer Animal Health’s leadership in these areas better positions Elanco to deliver on these needs.”

 

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FIVP launches CMA remedies survey

News Story 1
 FIVP has shared a survey, inviting those working in independent practice to share their views on the CMA's proposed remedies.

The Impact Assessment will help inform the group's response to the CMA, as it prepares to submit further evidence to the Inquiry Group. FIVP will also be attending a hearing in November.

Data will be anonymised and used solely for FIVP's response to the CMA. The survey will close on Friday, 31 October 2025. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
CMA to host webinar exploring provisional decisions

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to host a webinar for veterinary professionals to explain the details of its provisional decisions, released on 15 October 2025.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 29 October 2025 from 1.00pm to 2.00pm.

Officials will discuss the changes which those in practice may need to make if the provisional remedies go ahead. They will also share what happens next with the investigation.

The CMA will be answering questions from the main parties of the investigation, as well as other questions submitted ahead of the webinar.

Attendees can register here before Wednesday, 29 October at 11am. Questions must be submitted before 10am on 27 October.

A recording of the webinar will be accessible after the event.