Mars Petcare's research institute rebranding reflects pet science focusDecember 4, 2019After more than 50 years of operations, Mars Petcare’s U.K. research division, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, will now be known as Waltham Petcare Science Institute.
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Pets impact how we shape communitiesNovember 20, 2019Not only are animals a large part of our lives, but pet ownership has a significant impact on how we build our communities.
Covetrus signs deal with Mars Petcare for exclusive dental health and medication productsMay 8, 2019Covetrus is now the exclusive supplier of Mars Petcare's Greenies Dental Treats and Pill Pockets. The deal allows veterinarians to purchase the products for both their in-clinic and ecommerce/auto-ship channels, helping to differentiate themselves from online competitors. "With our customer reach, differentiated go-to-market strategy, and our industry-leading service organization, Covetrus is uniquely suited to partner with Mars Petcare to drive increased adoption of dental health solutions and medication administration tools for our customers and their clients," says Matt Leonard, Covetrus's executive vice president, president of North America and global supply chain officer. "This new partnership highlights the opportunity we have at Covetrus to continuously help support veterinarians deliver cost-effective solutions and enhance their client experience." Both Greenies Dental Treats and Pill Pockets are designed to simplify oral care and medicating solutions for pet owners.
Mars Petcare introduces new division focusing on collaborationApril 9, 2019Mars Petcare has announced the launch of Kinship, a collaboration platform for start-ups, veterinarians, and industry collaborators that provides them access to data, science, and industry expertise. "We're excited about our new global division, Kinship, becoming a unique collaboration platform for entrepreneurs and innovators to create new products and services delivering on our purpose: a better world for pets," says Mars Petcare president, Poul Weihrauch. "There are extraordinary opportunities in data, science, and connected technology. Match them with the expansive reach, resources, and core capabilities of a global industry leader like Mars, and together we can create a powerful force for transforming pet care." The initiative will focus on three main areas: • Health care: Kinship will look for new ways to provide pet owners with care options that are more accessible, effective, and personalized to fit the needs of their pets. • Nutrition: By working together with its partners, Kinship will find new ways to support pet health through nutrition. • Science: Kinship will work with experts to uncover ways to help change pet care through science by applying new discoveries from microbiome biology to machine learning. "Our ambition for Kinship is to bring together the brightest minds …
Mars Petcare named WSAVA diamond partnerJanuary 24, 2019Mars Petcare has entered into a partnership with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA).
MyCatDNA analysis aims to breed healthier catsJune 21, 2018MyCatDNA test, a new feline DNA test from Wisdom Health, a division of Mars Petcare, is designed to help veterinarians and breeders maintain the health and wellness of cats from a genetic level. MyCatDNA test, also known as the Optimal Selection Feline test in North America, provides insight into an individual cat's unique genetic makeup, allowing breeders to make more informed breeding decisions and subsequently lessen the chance of passing down inherent diseases to future generations. "New insights based on genetics, such as mutations linked to health conditions and traits, can transform the lives of cats and their offspring," said Leslie Lyons Ph.D., a professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri–Columbia. "Having these discoveries and many other tools readily available to cat owners and breeders on a global scale can only improve the health care of cats and our breeding decisions." The MyCatDNA test develops a comprehensive view of a cat's unique genome, including inherited characteristics. The analysis is able to identify more than 40 genetic mutations that cause inherited feline diseases, as well as traits such as blood type, coat color/length, and body type. Owners can then access online health profiles for their …
Mars veterinary reach grows with UK's Linnaeus, Europe's AniCuraJune 12, 2018Mars Petcare announced its plans to acquire European veterinary group AniCura. Founded in 2011 as the first merger of animal hospitals in the Nordic region, AniCura includes more than 4,000 veterinary professionals and 200 animal hospitals in seven countries across Europe, seeing two million pets every year, according to the company. Mars Petcare employs approximately 50,000 veterinary professionals and cares for more than 10 million pets annually. "Together, Mars Petcare and AniCura will both be in a position to benefit from each other's best practices and competencies, improving clinical practice and continuing to advance the veterinary profession in both North America and Europe," according to a statement by Mars. Mars' acquisition of AniCura isn't the company's first acquisition across the pond. Also this month Mars announced its acquisition of U.K.-based veterinary group Linnaeus. Both groups join the company's veterinary health business units, which include VCA Animal Hospitals, Banfield Pet Hospital, BluePearl Veterinary Partners, and Pet Partners. "Mars Petcare has a long and global history of providing nutrition, veterinary care, and science for pets across the globe," said Poul Weihrauch, president, Mars Petcare. "Our veterinary business until now has been in the United …
Mars Petcare acquires OptiGenApril 12, 2018 Mars Petcare acquired OptiGen LLC, a DNA diagnostics company specializing in canine inherited eye disorders. Included in the acquisition are exclusive licenses to a portfolio of genetic disease tests patented in the U.S., Australia, and many countries in Europe, and an extensive biobank of more than 150,000 samples collected over 20 years representing various canine eye diseases. Moving forward these samples will be used to discover new genetic health markers for dogs. With this acquisition, Wisdom Panel genetic test kits will now be able to detect more than 185 genetic disease mutations that will help breeders select the best breeding matches for genetically healthy offspring. "Through our Wisdom Health business, Mars Petcare is leading the discovery of new genetic markers for pet health," said Leonid Sudakov, president of Connected Solutions, the global ventures, consumer technology, and genetics division of Mars Petcare. "As our scientists seek to improve the understanding of the genetic basis of pet health and disease, this acquisition will contribute to the development of personalized veterinary care. We see our continued efforts to contribute to the ground-breaking companion animal genetics science as a great way to deliver on our purpose: …
Mars Petcare launches tech-enabled pet health studyApril 5, 2018Mars Petcare has announced the launch of Pet Insight Project, a three-year study of more than 200,000 dogs across the U.S. to uncover important links between pet activity, behavior, and health. Through its pet tracker business, Whistle, and Banfield Pet Hospital, Mars Petcare is looking to discover insights to enable a new era of proactive, preventive care for pets. Using machine learning, rich data science, and deep veterinary expertise, the aim of the longitudinal study is to better understand when behavior may signal a change in a pet's health and make it possible for pet owners to better partner with their veterinarian on treatment, according to a company statement. The study will continuously capture behavior data from hundreds of thousands of participating pets and correlate that information with repeat wellness visits. Pet Insight Project is one of the largest tech-enabled studies of pet health, in which participating pet owners agreed to have their pets take part in this revolutionary study. One of the key focus areas relies on repeat wellness visits to Banfield hospitals, where veterinarians will update electronic health records with relevant health changes. These records will then …
Mars Inc. announces $100M venture fundApril 4, 2018 Pet food giant Mars Inc. announced it will invest $100 million in its new Companion Fund, which will back pet care products, tech, and services. The venture fund will be led by Ben Jacobs, CEO and co-founder of Whistle, a company that makes GPS-based location and activity trackers for pets. He joined Mars Petcare in 2016 when it acquired Whistle for $117 million. Jacobs anticipates Companion Fund, which is structured as a standalone firm with Mars as its sole limited partner, will allow the company's pet care division to further diversify through helping start-ups fund product development, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution. "We want to be the go-to partner for any promising new venture in pet care—whether that is health, nutrition, or anything else," Jacobs said. Mars Petcare is one of the world's largest manufacturers of pet food, producing the Pedigree, Royal Canin, and Whiskas brands, in addition to owning BluePearl, and Pet Partners. The company is also one of the largest employers of veterinarians in the United States, with ownership of Banfield Pet Hospitals and other animal health businesses. Additionally, Mars Petcare, in partnership with Michelson …
