Investment activity in Animal Health YTD 2013

By Mick Wells

For any animal health executive the first quarter is non-stop.  The year kicks off with the North American Veterinary Conference, there’s the Western States Veterinary Conference at the end of February, there’s the Global Pet Expo in February, most commercial organizations have sales meeting and/or customer trips, many of the larger consolidated hospital groups have their Congresses, too.  You’re back and forth on planes and in and out of hotel rooms and before you know it Q1 is in the books and you’re trying to figure out what needs your attention first to drive this year’s results!

Amid all of this, there has been both high and quiet drama in the investment area, too.  The well publicized Zoetis emerging from its IPO cocoon comes to mind – Pfizer does everything big and this was no exception.

A bit overshadowed on that same day Perrigo announced it wants to acquire Velcera and get a larger toe-hold in animal health – ready to store-brand even more of your pet medications and preparations.

And this week, quiet as a church mouse, BlackRock, Inc.  bought roughly 6% interests in PetsMart, VCA Antech, and MWI…comfortable animal health organizations to have position in as the industry evolves!