Merial, Zoetis ink pact for dairy products in India

Merial, the animal health division of Sanofi, has inked a pact with Zoetis India to sell its medicines and vaccines for dairy cattle in India.
Merial and Zoetis India Ltd, a subsidiary of Zoetis Inc, have entered into an exclusive marketing and distribution agreement of medicines and vaccines for dairy cattle in India, the companies said in a joint statement.
As part of the deal, Merial will market and sell Zoetis' products, including brands such as Bovical, Lutalyse, Xnel Dectomax and vaccines like Rispoval and Spirovac. The products will be marketed by Merial India beginning April 2016.
"The newly added products complement Merial's existing ruminant business in India, which includes vaccines, therapeutics and nutritionals," Country Manager, Merial India, Sandeep Karkhanis said.

The pact increases the company's presence in the important
dairy segment and expands its current product offerings, he added.

"We now have a robust portfolio that has strong customer loyalty, making us a key player in the rapidly growing India ruminant market," Karkhanis said.
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
In India, Merial has a diversified local portfolio of over 50 brands comprising of vaccines, therapeutics and nutritional products for ruminants, poultry and pets.
Ketan Dhamanaskar, Managing Director, India, GM South Asia, Zoetis said the agreement helps both companies use the strengths of their product portfolios and market strategies to grow in a more effective way.

"Zoetis' leading dairy brands and innovative vaccines, combined with the strong distribution reach and presence of Merial in India, will enable us to make these products available in the most efficient manner in the Indian market," he added.
As a result of this arrangement, Zoetis India will also be able to focus its field force and resources on building a stronger presence in the poultry and companion animal sectors in India, which grew at 18.6 per cent and 12.8 per cent respectively in 2015, Dhamanaskar said.
India is the world's largest milk producer, with 16 per cent of global production.