Merck Animal Health achieved $1 billion in third-quarter sales on the strength of growing demand for pet vaccines and the Bravecto flea and tick preventive.
Pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. Inc. reported Oct. 27 that third-quarter sales dropped by 2 percent companywide, to $10.3 billion, but jumped by 16 percent within the animal health division.
“Our performance in the third quarter demonstrates the strength of our underlying business, with growth from key product launches, good global demand for vaccines, as well as strength from our animal health business,” said Merck’s chairman and CEO, Kenneth C. Frazier.
The Kenilworth, New Jersey, company credited the veterinary improvement to higher sales of Bravecto (fluralaner), pet vaccines and ruminant products, plus the March 2017 acquisition of Vallée S.A., a Brazilian manufacturer of animal health products.
Bravecto Chews was launched in 2014 as a 12-week flea and tick preventive for dogs. A topical version for cats was approved in 2016.
Among Merck’s other leading veterinary products are Vetsulin, an insulin for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats, and the Nobivac pet vaccine line.