Merial Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
What is Merial's business?
A: Merial is an innovation-driven leader in the provision of products and solutions
that enhance the health, well-being and performance of animals.
Q:
What is Merial’s vision?
A: Merial will be the recognized benchmark in providing value to our customers,
employees and shareholders.
Q:
When was Merial founded?
A: Merial was founded in August 1997 through the merger of the animal health businesses
of Merck and Co., Inc. and Rhone Merieux, a predecessor to sanofi-aventis.
Q:
How many people are employed by Merial?
A: Merial employs more than 5,700 people worldwide.
Q:
What are Merial’s total sales?
A: Total 2008 sales were over $2.6 billion.
Q:
Who leads Merial's senior management team?
A: Jose Barella is the Executive Chairman.
Q:
Who are Merial’s shareholders?
A: Merial is the Animal Health subsidiary of sanofi-aventis.
Q:
Does Merial have a stock market listing?
A: No. Merial is a subsidiary of sanofi-aventis, which is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange.
Q:
What are Merial’s leading products?
A: Merial has leading products in a wide range of veterinary specialties, notably
in the fields of anaesthetic, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, gastrointestinal, respiratory
and cardiovascular medicines, and produces a range of vaccines to protect a wide
variety of species against disease.
Merial's best-known products include IVOMEC® (ivermectin) --- first launched in
1981 and used in large animals such as cattle, sheep, and swine. FRONTLINE® (fipronil)
-- which was first launched in 1994 -- has established a parallel position in dogs
and cats and is now the world’s best selling flea and tick treatment for those species.
Merial’s pharmaceuticals are supported by a wide range of vaccines. We are specialists
in the area of avian protection, offering a range of vaccines to protect birds,
particularly poultry, against a range of common and life-threatening diseases such
as Newcastle Disease, Marek's Disease and Avian Flu. Merial is also well-known for
its antirabies vaccines for use in domestic and wild animals and for its foot and
mouth disease vaccine, which was pioneered by the Institut Mérieux the French forerunner
of the present company.
Other Merial best sellers include HEARTGARD® (ivermectin), EQVALAN® (ivermectin), GASTROGARD® (omeprazole), ULCERGARD®
(omeprazole) and PUREVAX®.
Q:
In which countries does Merial operate?
A: Merial operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. See the
Contact Us page for a listing of countries.
Q:
What is Merial’s main customer base?
A: Merial’s customers include veterinarians, pet owners, farmers and food animal producers worlwide.
Q:
What is Merial’s R & D focus?
A: Merial is advancing in four main areas: parasiticides, antibiotics, pain control, and products for treating chronic conditions in companion animals. We are also exploring and developing new ranges of vaccines which employ both conventional and novel technologies with the objective of offering enhanced protection to a wide range of animal species. For further information on our research and development, please visit the research and development page.