Elanco Animal Health has closed its acquisition of AHV International, a Dutch innovator in farm animal health.
The acquisition advances Elanco’s presence into the growing global dairy market, offering dairy producers an expanded portfolio of products that support transition cow health, well-being and improve productivity.
Dr Ramiro M Cabral, executive vice president of Elanco International, said: “The AHV addition is a strategic fit for Elanco by providing innovative tools for producers and veterinarians to improve the well-being of dairy cows.
“AHV’s portfolio meaningfully expands our solutions for sustainability, animal welfare and transition cow health, as well as for retail packaged goods.
“Together with our dedicated scientific and technical Elanco team, the integration will unite the strengths of both organisations to deliver a comprehensive solution portfolio for our customers.”
While consumer demand for milk and dairy products continues to rise globally, dairy producers worldwide face significant challenges.
Increasing accessibility and affordability of dairy products hinges on healthy and productive cows.
The World Organization for Animal Health reports 20% of livestock productivity is lost to death and disease annually, impacting global food security and producer profitability.
Dr Cabral said this acquisition allows Elanco to offer more proactive nutritional health interventions that can be tailored to the individual health of each cow to meet their health and disease prevention needs when they’re most susceptible.
For example:
- StopLac is designed to reduce milk production in dairy cows during the dry-off process at the end of a lactation cycle; and
- Additionally, AHV’s Quorum Sensing Technology, based on plant-derived extracts disrupts biofilm formation, exposing pathogens to the animal’s natural immune system. Helping the animal’s own immune system better fight disease reduces the need for antibiotics.
