Ceva Santé Animale (“Ceva”) and IDT Biologika GmbH (“IDT”) announced that they have successfully completed the acquisition of IDT’s veterinary biopharmaceutical and research and development activities by Ceva.

The product portfolio will be transferred to Ceva branding as quickly as possible. A new Global innovation centre focused on swine vaccines will be created within IDT’s existing Dessau site.

Ceva has rapidly moved from a 33:67 bio-pharma split in 2014 to 45:55 in 2018. With addition of the IDT vaccine range and rapid growth of its own new technology vaccines, the split will be close to the 50:50 balance originally set out in its “Ambition 2020” business plan. Coupled with the complimentary tools of autogenous vaccines and improved diagnostics, this shift underlines Ceva’s belief that preventative medicine is the key to future health.

IDT’s strong range of swine vaccines will strengthen Ceva’s rapidly growing presence in this segment. The deal will also boost Ceva’s Veterinary Public Health offer in both food safety, with Salmovac 440, a salmonella vaccine for chickens and in rabies control, with Rabitec, a rabies vaccine for the oral immunisation of foxes and other species, which will play a crucial role in campaigns focused on the successful eradication of rabies worldwide.

IDT is set to focus on the production of human vaccines and medicines going forward. Business in contract manufacturing and development of human medicines has seen dynamic growth over the past few years, making it contribute as much as two thirds of its total turnover.

Dr. Marc Prikazsky, Chairman & CEO of Ceva said: “Both Ceva and IDT have been driven by a deep desire to quickly develop effective vaccine solutions for our customers. It marks the 100-year heritage we share and this coupled with a similar entrepreneurial mindset, is what will ensure the success of the new business in the future.”

Carsten Klocke, CEO of Klocke Holding, added: “We’re content to see our animal health business transfer into Ceva, an organisation providing the optimal environment for its continued positive development. This successful transaction now allows IDT to focus on building a leading global position in biotechnological human vaccines and medicine, a market with huge growth potential mid- and long-term.”