The results show that Ceva is once again one of the fastest growing in its sector, as it looks to become the largest animal health business in France once the merger between Merial and Boehringer Ingelheim takes effect.

Dr. Marc Prikazsky, CEO of Ceva Santé Animale Group said: "2015 was another excellent year for Ceva Animal Health and is another important step forward in realising our ambition to be in the global top 5 of our sector by 2020. Looking ahead, we are in the process of making major acquisitions in key markets, such as the recent one in India and will continue our programme of investment in our production facilities. We already invest more than 10% of our turnover in research and development, and will continue to leverage our pipeline to deliver further significant product innovation across all sectors and in all markets. ”

International expansion

Ceva recently acquired Polchem, an Indian Veterinary business specializing in the avian and dairy sectors. This marks Ceva’s entry into this important global market with India being the world’s largest milk producer and the fifth largest poultry producer. Based in Pune, 160 km southeast of Mumbai and founded 25 years ago by Nitin Sahasrabudhe, a chemical engineer and Milind Lamaye, veterinary microbiologist, the company has built a strong reputation in the poultry and dairy sectors. It has its own production facilities, R&D and laboratory facilities and currently employs 270 people, including several veterinarians.

Under the proposed deal, both partners and the management team will remain in place to drive forward the expansion of Polchem’s flagship lines in (disinfectants and food supplements) and to develop sales of Ceva’s innovative poultry vaccines and ruminant products in India.

"India is a country too strategic to ignore, but we did not want to integrate our operations in this market before finding the right partner to assist us. Polchem ??shares our values ??and have the right team to bring our products to this important market." added Dr. Marc Prikazsky.

New double-digit growth in 2015

Sales grew across all regions. In terms of species markets, poultry experienced significant growth (+ 24%), boosted by strong demand for Vectormune® ND and Transmune®, Ceva’s innovative avian vaccines. Alongside geographical expansion, the launch of new swine vaccines, especially Coglapix® (pleuropneumonia) and Hyogen® (mycoplasma) and the recent launch into the US swine market, marks the beginning of a new cycle of growth to support the Group’s ambitions.

A key part of Ceva’s recent success is becoming the third largest producer of poultry vaccines globally and in avian biology more broadly, being the largest producer in Brazil and second-largest in the USA. In addition to providing innovative vaccines, the group advocates early vaccination in hatchery (in-ovo or day-old chicks) to promote better chick welfare. Ceva already provides a complete hatchery vaccination service to its customers and in the light of further growth opportunities in this part of the market Ceva has acquired two companies in France: Ecat in 2013 and iD Projects (1 March 2016). The merger of these two companies will help create a global leader in automated and in-ovo hatchery vaccination.

Modernization of production facilities and launch of new products

In 2016, Ceva plans to invest more than 80 million euros in its principal global sites in France – Laval, Libourne, Loudeac, USA, Lenexa, Hungary, Budapest and China, Beijing to ensure that all facilities are state-of-the art. More than 10% of its turnover will be invested in R & D (50% in pharmaceuticals and 50% in Biology) to develop innovative new products, such as the recently launched Amodip® and Velactis®

Amodip® is the first treatment for feline hypertension, a chronic disease that can cause serious lesions in organs of cats. This drug represents a breakthrough because for veterinarians who were obliged to prescribe “off-label” a drug designed for humans.
Launched on the European market in early 2016, Velactis® is the first and only facilitator for dry-off in dairy cows. This innovative drug improves the udder health and welfare of dairy cows while helping farmers in the management of a crucial period in the dairy production cycle.

Dr Marc Prikazsky said: "Velactis® is a major breakthrough. We hope this will become an essential management tool for dairy farmers."