Elanco to Acquire Lohmann Animal Health

February 25, 2014 – Elanco, the animal health division of Eli Lilly and Company announced yesterday an agreement to acquire Lohmann SE (Lohmann Animal Health), a privately-held company headquartered in Cuxhaven, Germany. Lohmann Animal Health is a global leader in the supply of poultry vaccines and also markets a range of feed additives. Elanco said in a release that this acquisition will establish the company as a global poultry leader, solidify it’s vaccine presence, broaden it’s product offerings and significantly augment it’s vaccine manufacturing capabilities.

This acquisition complements Elanco’s mission to help the global food chain deliver a safe, affordable, sufficient food supply. “We believe innovation in food production is one of the most important ingredients to feeding a growing global population,” said Jeff Simmons, senior vice president of Eli Lilly and Company and president of Elanco Animal Health. 

“As the middle class grows in size and affluence throughout the world, the demand for eggs and poultry is growing rapidly. However, egg layer productivity is now shrinking after decades of increases,” said William (Bill) Weldon, vice president of Elanco R&D. “Delivering innovation to this industry is critical. Without it, we’re on pace to double the number of hens needed, plus the massive resources to support them, in order to meet demand in 2050.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly will acquire all assets of Lohmann SE and its subsidiary, Lohmann Animal Health. These assets include a range of vaccines and feed additives, commercial capabilities, and manufacturing sites in Cuxhaven, Germanyand Winslow, Maine. No other terms of the transaction were disclosed.

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2014, contingent upon clearance from regulatory authorities and other customary closing conditions.