The veterinary industry is multi-billion sector of the US economy, estimated at $40 billion globally in ex-manufacter sales.
Within the animal health sector, companies providing products and services to the animal health market can be categorized several different ways including those that are dedicated (100% veterinary or animal health) and/or those with both human and veterinary products or services.
Veterinary firms can also be categorized by the types of veterinary products they manufacture such as diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, nutritionals, pet foods, and/or vaccine (biologics) products for livestock and/or companion animals.
Animal health companies by respective function within the supply chain:
Veterinary Product Manufacturers sponsor the development, registration and/or manufacture of veterinary products such as veterinary pharmaceuticals, veterinary diagnostics, veterinary nutraceuticals and veterinary medical devices. Routinely, these companies will manufacture and produce their products in their own FDA or USDA registered facilities.
Veterinary Distributors serve as intermediaries between veterinary manufacturers and veterinary clinics. Veterinary distributors will purchase, inventory and represent veterinary products from multiple veterinary companies, serving as a source of multiple products from multiple veterinary companies. Veterinary distributors often employ their own distributor representative sales force who visit veterinary clinics and detail veterinary company products.
Veterinary Reference Laboratories are companies that provide centralized veterinary diagnostic testing services for veterinary clinics. Veterinary reference laboratories (e.g., Vetek Labs, Idexx) utilize courier services to pick up samples and transport them to the veterinary reference laboratory for analysis and reporting.
Veterinary Market Consolidation: Animal health manufacturers and distributors have undergone substantial consolidation in the last 20 years, and there may be fewer choices when considering a strategic alliances, acquisitions, or other relationships. However, the consolidation also affords access to companies which have a more global reach or nationwide distribution of veterinary services and products.
The following is a short list of companies.
Addison Biological Laboratory, Inc.; Ceva Animal Health LLC ; Colorado Serum Company ; Dechra Veterinary Products ; Endovac Animal Health; Elanco Animal Health ; Huvepharma, Inc. ; iCare TonoVet ; Idexx Laboratories ; Merck Animal Health ; Neogen ; Mars Pet Care ; Norbrook, Inc. ; Orion ; Phibro Animal Health Corporation ; Vetoquinol SA ; Virbac ; Zoetis