Elanco Animal Health to acquire Aratana TherapeuticsApril 30, 2019Elanco Animal Health has signed an agreement to acquire Aratana Therapeutics. The deal allows Elanco to integrate the Aratana portfolio of pet therapeutics into its companion animal therapeutics business. "Aratana has been one of the most innovative start-ups in animal health, bringing breakthrough solutions to the market," says Elanco president and chief executive officer, Jeff Simmons. "We look forward to putting greater energy behind these brands with our increased share of voice in the field and leveraging." The deal is structured as a stock-for-stock transaction and remains subject to customary closing conditions. The contract must be approved by Aratana stockholders and clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. "This proposed transaction acknowledges Aratana's contribution of pet therapeutics to the animal health industry, specifically recognizing our strong track record as a drug developer and our field team's unmatched expertise delivering innovation to veterinary specialists," says Aratana president and chief executive officer, Craig Tooman. "We believe Elanco will help expand our portfolio with its substantial resources and presence within the companion animal segment."
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FTC orders Mars to divest 12 vet clinics before VCA buySeptember 4, 2017To avoid violating antitrust laws, Mars Inc., under a mandate from the Federal Trade Commission, will divest 12 veterinary clinics across the U.S. that provide specialty and emergency services no later than 10 business days after the company's $9.1 billion acquisition of VCA Inc. According to the FTC, Mars is required to divest each of the 12 clincis to one of three divestiture buyers: National Veterinary Associates, Pathway Partners Vet Management Co., and PetVet Care Centers. If the acquisition takes place as proposed, it may lessen competition for certain specialty and emergency veterinary services in 10 U.S. areas by eliminating direct competition between Mars specialists in the area and those of VCA, according to the FTC's complaint. Commission documents also claim that without a remedy, the acquisition would likely lead to higher prices for pet owners and lower quality in the specialty and emergency veterinary services they receive. One clinic in the Kansas City, New York, and Phoenix areas will be divested to National Veterinary Associates; one clinic in Chicago, Corpus Christi and San Antonio; and two clinics in Seattle will be divested to Pathway. Two clinics in the Portland area …
