Discover Virbac

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Virbac Corporation is driven by a passion for enhancing the health of companion animals.

In North America, our focus is solely on meeting the unique needs of veterinary professionals caring for dogs, cats and other companion animals. We recognize that meeting those needs starts with listening.

Ultimately, the essence of Virbac Corporation is found in our relationships with our veterinarians. It is through these relationships that, together, we can find the right answers by first asking the right questions.

"Virbac is committed to providing quality products and services to our customers through partnering with Canadian veterinarians, thus allowing us to enrich the lives of animals with novel and easy-to-use products. Virbac demonstrates high integrity through ethical business practices and contributes to the communities in which we serve." - Fiona J. McLellan, General Manager Virbac Canada Inc.

Know more about Virbac Group
Virbac Group

Virbac Group

With these innovative solutions covering the majority of animal species and diseases, Virbac contributes, day after day, to shape the future of animal health.

Founder

Founder

From a small biology research center established in 1968 in a three-room apartment in Nice to the world’s 7th largest laboratory, a look back at the beginnings of great human adventure.

Values

Values

Nurture entrepreneurship, stimulate innovation, demonstrate our engagement, foster a customer-driven approach, pay attention to people and choose sustainability...

History

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1968

19682.pngPierre-Richard Dick, a French veterinarian, creates the SARL Virbac biological research center.

1970

1970.pngWe take our first steps internationally thanks to distribution partnerships in Benelux and the Federal Republic of Germany.

1970

19702.pngWe develop the first insecticide collar for dogs, which would later become one of our flagship products.

1973

1973.pngWe take a new step forward with the construction of the building of our future headquarters in Carros, near Nice, quickly adding a production and storage unit and a loading dock.

1977

1977.pngWe make available in France the first cephalosporin in veterinary medicine (for dogs, cats and cattle), thus providing an alternative to the cephalosporins derived from human pharmaceuticals.

1982

1982.pngIn response to the viral gastroenteritis epidemic decimating dog breeding, we create the first parvovirus-based vaccine approved for dogs, thus entering the very exclusive club of innovative vaccine-developing laboratories.

1982

19822.pngThe opening of our first subsidiary in Germany, following acquisition of local distributor VMG, marks the beginning of our deployment in Europe.

1982

Allerderm Created by Roger Brandt
In 1982, Texas businessman Roger Brandt created Allerderm, a leader in the animal skin care company.

1985

1985.pngNumber-two French animal health laboratory, we start to trade on the secondary market of the Paris stock exchange.

1987

1987.pngWith the acquisition of Allerderm Inc., we propel ourselves into the United States market. A specialist in the new veterinary dermatology market, we become the world leader a few years later.

1987

logo-virbac.jpgVirbac Corporation Established

Drawing attention from France, Virbac Group created Virbac Inc., later known as Virbac Corporation, to enter the US market by acquiring Allerderm.

1988

1988.pngBy designing the first genetically engineered vaccine against feline leukemia made from a purified p45 FeLV-envelope retrovirus, we provide veterinarians with an effective solution against a disease in cats for which there was no cure at the time.

1989

1989.pngWe open a new door with the acquisition of Imperial Dog, a dog and cat food manufacturer, founded by the creator of Royal Canin, now Virbac Nutrition.

1991

1991.pngIn Europe, we continue to move forward by offering the first oral anti-rabies vaccine for foxes, obtained by selective mutation.

1992

1992.pngOur founder Pierre-Richard Dick, doctor of veterinary medicine, dies suddenly at the age of 55 while on a Central American sea voyage. Pascal Boissy, then financial director, succeeds him to head the company. Six months later, we adopt a new organizational structure made up of an executive board and a supervisory board, of which Jeanine Dick, wife of the founder, becomes chairwoman.

1992

19922.pngOur founder Pierre-Richard Dick, doctor of veterinary medicine, dies suddenly at the age of 55 while on a Central American sea voyage. Pascal Boissy, then financial director, succeeds him to head the company. Six months later, we adopt a new organizational structure made up of an executive board and a supervisory board, of which Jeanine Dick, wife of the founder, becomes chairwoman.

1996

1996.pngNumerous companies created to develop our company on French territory merge into a single subsidiary, Virbac France, formalizing the beginning of the Virbac umbrella brand.

1998

1998.pngThrough its “I love my pet, I vaccinate it” poster campaign, we raise the general public’s awareness of vaccination in France.

1999

1999.pngEric Marée, 48 years old, graduate of HEC and holder of an MBA from Cornell University in the United States, becomes chairman of the Virbac executive board.

1999

19992.pngThanks to the acquisition of Agri-Nutrition, a company based in St. Louis (Missouri), we acquire a range of dental care and hygiene products.

1999

IMG_5282.jpgVirbac Corporation Merges with Agri-Nutrition Group & Settles in Fort Worth

After impressive sales in the 1990s, Virbac Corporation decided to merge with Agri-Nutrition Group, a well-known St. Louis-based manufacturer of dental hygiene, nutritional and grooming products for cats and dogs. When the merger was complete, Virbac Corporation settled on Fort Worth, Texas as a permanent home.

2001

2001.pngWe make available to European veterinarians the first interferon omega for dogs and cats.

2001

20012.pngWe make available to European veterinarians the first interferon omega for dogs and cats.

2001

20013.pngWe partner with Jean-Pierre Dick, son of our founder and doctor of veterinary medicine, on his sailing adventure: through his involvement in epic races, the skipper helps to enhance the veterinary profession, promote animal health and our values in the four corners of the world.

2001

cet_product_line_grp-2017.pngC.E.T.® Brand of Products Created

Established in 2001 through the Agri-Nutrition merger, Virbac created the C.E.T. Brand of Products for dental health. Today, the brand includes toothbrushes, toothpaste, hygiene chews, hygiene kits, diagnostic tests and tartar control chews. In 2016, Virbac began selling the C.E.T.® OraStrip® Dental Diagnostic Test, the first of its kind in the market to detect active periodontal disease.

2003

solozine-pancrezyme-tumil-uroeze-ammonil_grp-2017.pngVirbac Corporation Acquires Animal Health Products from King Pharmaceuticals

The acquisition added SOLOXINE® Tablets, PANCREZYME® Tablets and Powder, TUMIL-K® Gel, Tablets and Powder, UROEZE® Tablets and Powder, and AMMONIL® Tablets to Virbac Corporation’s portfolio.

2004

Dr. Erik R. Martinez Appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer

Martinez was with the Virbac Group since 1994, where he began as General Manager of Mexico, then Regional Director for Latin America and finally, Area Director SANZA (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia) where he was responsible for overseeing all operations.

2006

2006.pngMarie-Hélène Dick, daughter of our founder, doctor of veterinary medicine and MBA graduate from HEC, is named chairwoman of Virbac’s supervisory board.

2006

20062.pngWe strengthen our presence with Indian veterinarians and farmers thanks to the acquisition of Agrivet Farm Care, the animal health branch of GlaxoSmithKline. A collaboration that allows us to become number 1 in this country.

2007

IVERHART MAX® (Ivermectin/pyrantel pamoate/prazlquantel) Chewable Tablets Introduced

Virbac introduces IVERHART MAX® to the market, which is the first broad-spectrum chewable anthelmintic in the United States for use in dogs to prevent canine heartworm disease and for the treatment and control of roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms.

IVERHART MAX® (ivermectin/pyrantel pamoate/praziquantel) Chewable Tablets - For use in dogs only. All dogs should be tested for heartworm infection before starting a preventive program. Use with caution in sick, debilitated, or underweight animals and dogs weighing less than 10 lbs. The safe use of this drug has not been evaluated in pregnant or lactating bitches. Adverse reactions following the use of ivermectin include: Depression/lethargy, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, mydriasis, ataxia, staggering, convulsions and hypersalivation. For complete product information refer to the product insert. To obtain a package insert, contact Veterinary Technical Product Support at 1-800-338-3659.

2008

20082.pngWe share with veterinarians the first deslorelin-based implant, inducing a reversible neutering in male dogs.

2008

2008.pngWith 7 production units, we currently have an industrial park on five continents (France, United States, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, South Africa and Vietnam) to bring our health solutions ever closer to those who care for animals.

2009

Launched ANXITANE® (L-theanine) Chewable Tablets for Dogs and Cats

Virbac releases ANXITANE® Chewable Tablets to help reduce anxiety-related issues in dogs and cats.

2010

logo-virbac.jpgVirbac Canada, Inc. Established

Virbac establishes Virbac Canada, Inc. to expand its business into Canada. Virbac US and Virbac Canada constitute Virbac's North America Area operations, one of Virbac Group’s global areas.

2010

2010.pngWe sign an agreement with Pfizer Inc. to acquire the Australian rights to a range of products for food producing animals, primarily parasiticides and vaccines for cattle and sheep.

2012

C.E.T-25-years---logo.pngC.E.T.® Home Dental Care Celebrates 25 Years of Dental Excellence

Virbac Corporation announces the 25th anniversary of C.E.T.® Home Dental Care. With 25 years of leadership in veterinary home dental care, C.E.T. Brand Products are the most tenured and respected veterinary brands in the market today.

2012

2012.pngCommitted to the animal proteins of the future, we acquire a majority share of Centrovet, animal health market leader in Chile, expert in the development and production of innovative products for the protection and treatment of cold water aquaculture farms (salmon and trout).

2014

Paul-Hays.jpgPaul R. Hays Named President & CEO, Virbac Corporation and Area Director, North America

In his new role, Hays oversees all corporate functions for Virbac North America and is responsible for the growth and profitability of both the U.S. and Canadian operations. He has extensive experience in animal health.

2015

2015.pngWe acquire Schweitzer Biotech Company, a Taiwanese company that is an expert in the development of cell culture banks serving as the basis for production of viral vaccines primarily for swine and poultry. This acquisition gives the impulse to the creation of a new biology R&D structure in Southeast Asia, a region recognized for the largest swine and aquaculture (warm water) markets on the planet.

2015

20152.pngThe Virbac Corporate Foundation, aware of the challenges related to the interconnection between animal, human, and environmental health, is committed to a screening, control, and prevention program for bovine tuberculosis and rabies in the Gonarezhou Park (Zimbabwe).

2015

SENTINEL_SPECTRUM.pngVirbac announces the successful closing, on January 2nd, of its agreement with Eli Lilly and Company to acquire two major parasiticides for dogs in the United States: SENTINEL® FLAVOR TABS® and SENTINEL® SPECTRUM®, previously marketed by Novartis Animal Health.

SENTINEL® FLAVOR TABS® (milbemycin oxime/lufenuron) - Dogs should be tested for heartworm prior to use. In a small percentage of treated dogs, digestive, neurologic, and skin side effects may occur. For complete product information refer to the product insert.  To obtain a package insert, contact Veterinary Technical Product Support at 1-800-338-3659. SENTINEL® SPECTRUM® (milbemycin oxime/lufenuron/praziquantel) - Dogs should be tested for heartworm prior to use. Mild hypersensitivity reactions have been noted in some dogs carrying a high number of circulating microfilariae. Treatment with fewer than 6 monthly doses after the last exposure to mosquitoes may not provide complete heartworm prevention. For complete product information refer to the product insert. To obtain a package insert, contact Veterinary Technical Product Support at 1-800-338-3659.

2016

2016.pngAfter the building of VB8 in Carros in 2014, dedicated to the manufacture of sterile injectables, we continue to invest in quality and production capacity with the construction of Argo Navis, VB8’s alter ego in Mexico.

2016

IMG_5284.jpgVirbac US Expands in Bridgeton, Mo.

The company grew its presence in the U.S. and Canada with a $37.9 million expansion to its manufacturing and R&D facility in Bridgeton, creating 144 new jobs.

2016

Launch of MOVOFLEX™ Soft Chews

The soft chews are the latest advancement in canine joint health supplementation, providing comprehensive canine joint support in a once-a-day palatable soft chew.

2017

2017 marks Virbac’s 30th year of business in the U.S. Virbac Group has grown to become one of the largest independent veterinary pharmaceutical companies in the world and has successfully produced and launched hundreds of products.

2017

2017.pngAfter the physiological range in 2016, we provide dog and cat owners with a range of dietetic petfood. Their composition is particularly suited to the dietary needs of carnivores.

2017

20172.pngAt the helm of St. Michel-Virbac, Jean-Pierre Dick wins his fourth Jacques Vabre Race (a first in the history of the Coffee Race). This victory marks a turning point in the life of the sailor and the most fitting closure to his 17 years of adventures around the world, flying the colors of our company.

2017

20173.pngSébastien Huron, 47 years old, doctor of veterinary medicine, head of Global Business Operations, and member of the executive board since 2012, succeeds Éric Marée as chairman of Virbac.

2017

subtropolis1.jpgVirbac Corporation Selects Kansas City for New North American Distribution Center

The company announces it will consolidate its North American product warehousing and distribution in the KC Animal Health Corridor, located in an approximately 150,000-sq.-ft. facility in Hunt Midwest SubTropolis in Kansas City, Missouri. Hunt Midwest SubTropolis was chosen due to its central location, transportation access, and unique underground environment.

2020

2020.pngWe offer to the European and North American veterinarians the first intratumoral injectable for canine mastocytomas, the second most frequently diagnosed cancer and the most common skin cancer. With this novel injectable solution, we are opening a new path in the treatment of canine skin tumors.