Merck Animal Health completes $400M deal for Sentinel products

Merck Animal Health, a division of Kenilworth-based Merck & Co. Inc., has completed its acquisition of the rights to the Sentinel brand of parasite protection products, it announced Thursday.

The $400 million deal, first announced in May, will see Madison-based Merck Animal Health take over the U.S. rights to Sentinel Flavor Tabs and Sentinel Spectrum Chews for companion animals from Virbac.

“Our veterinary medicines, including parasiticides, and vaccines continue to transform the animal health industry and further solidify our position in the U.S. companion animal category,” Rick DeLuca, president of Merck Animal Health, said in a prepared statement. “The extensive breadth and depth of our product portfolio enhances our offerings of comprehensive pet care solutions, which provide a full range of complementary solutions for our customers to improve the health and well-being of animals and the people who care for them.”

In a separate release, Virbac noted that it will continue to manufacture Sentinel Spectrum at its Missouri facility for the next 10 years. The Texas-based company said divesting the products for dogs will help it rebalance its North American portfolio.

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