Elanco, the animal health division of Eli Lilly and Company, said that Lilly has signed an agreement to acquire the European rights to a portfolio of certain Pfizer Animal Health products. The products, including vaccines, parasiticides and feed additives, are used in the production animal and companion animal markets. The products are marketed by Pfizer and Wyeth’s Fort Dodge operations. Elanco also plans to acquire a manufacturing facility in Sligo, Ireland, used in the production of animal vaccines. As part of the deal, Sligo employees are offered positions with Elanco. The addition of this portfolio of products and a world-class manufacturing facility is a good fit for Elanco and positions the company well for sustained growth, said Jeff Simmons, president of Elanco. “Through this acquisition, we will expand and diversify our European presence with new market-leading products, augment our growing portfolio of companion animal medicines and acquire new biologic and vaccine capabilities,” he said. The European Commission requested that Pfizer divest these products as a result of Pfizer’s 2009 acquisition of Wyeth, including Wyeth’s Fort Dodge Animal Health business. Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly will acquire European rights to a portfolio of marketed products, as well as a biological manufacturing facility in Sligo, Ireland. In return, Pfizer gets an undisclosed upfront payment. In order to ensure an uninterrupted supply of product to customers, both companies also have signed corresponding manufacturing supply agreements. <HOME>
