Review 2018: Smart MA money is put on diagnostics and digital tech

摘要

In 2018, the stand-out M&A deals targeted diagnostics, digital technologies and nutrition. While Zoetis and Merck Animal Health made multi-billion-dollar deals, some of the sector's smaller purchases also hinted towards important trends. Animal Pharmeditor Joseph Harvey looks back at where the money was spent.In fact, Animal Pharm tracked more M&A deals in the area of veterinary diagnostics than any year before. There was a total of seven acquisitions in this area across last year.While Zoetis claims the current vet diagnostics space is worth $4 billion, IDEXX believes the total addressable market is valued at $33 billion. The ongoing adoption of point-of-care diagnostics and in-lab testing is fueling the high growth of the animal health diagnostics area, where IDEXX is predicted to remain a clear leader in the coming years.