Merck Animal Health acquires animal traceability provider IdentiGEN

    Merck Animal Health, a division of Kenilworth-based Merck & Co. Inc., announced on Wednesday it has acquired IdentiGEN, a DNA-based animal traceability solutions provider.

    IdentiGEN’s technology combines each animals’ DNA and data analytics to trace beef, seafood, pork and poultry that demonstrates farm-to-table qualities.

    The new technology, Merck said, will advance its animal health segments and complements its existing identification and monitoring technology for animal management and health outcomes.

    “Enhanced digital technology will play an increasingly important role in food traceability and food safety, providing customers critical information and actionable data to help ensure a sustainable supply of quality food to protect public health,” Rick DeLuca, president, Merck Animal Health, said. “We now will be able to provide end-to-end animal traceability solutions at industry scale to improve the health and safety of animals and ensure even greater transparency in our food supply.”