Virbac

What Virbac does

Virbac is a French animal health pharmaceutical company founded in 1968 and headquartered in Carros, France, listed on Euronext Paris (EPA:VIRP). It develops, manufactures, and distributes veterinary medicines, vaccines, parasiticides, dermatology products, dental products, diagnostics, nutritional supplements, and specialty therapeutics for companion animals (cats, dogs) and food-producing animals (cattle, swine, aquaculture). The company holds the #1 veterinarian-recommended dental brand (C.E.T.) and operates flagship parasiticide franchises including Sentinel and Iverhart, alongside newer specialty assets such as URSOLYX (feline muscle health) and Felanorm/Thyronorm (feline hyperthyroidism). Manufacturing is conducted at facilities in France, the United States, Argentina, Japan, India, and Chile, supported by wholly-owned distribution subsidiaries in 100+ countries.

The business operates on a B2B go-to-market model selling through veterinary clinics, animal health distributors, and online retailers, with end users including veterinarians, farmers, breeders, and pet owners. Revenue is split roughly 60% companion animals and 40% food-producing animals, with FY2025 revenue of €1.465 billion (7.9% organic growth) and Q1 2026 revenue of €384 million (+7.7%). The product mix is dominated by one-time pharmaceutical sales rather than recurring subscriptions. Growth has been substantially augmented by an active M&A program, including the €280 million Sasaeah acquisition (Japan, 2024), £100 million Felanorm/Thyronorm acquisition (2025), and earlier $410 million Sentinel brands acquisition from Eli Lilly (2015), alongside licensing deals such as the MabGenesis monoclonal antibody agreement (2025).

The company is led by CEO Paul Martingell and CFO Habib Ramdani, with governance undergoing a 2026 regional reorganization into three major regions. Virbac's strategic positioning emphasizes species-specific innovation, global distribution scale, and post-acquisition portfolio integration rather than technology-platform differentiation.

Name

Virbac

Legal name

VIRBAC

Website

https://virbac.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Virbac is a French-listed veterinary pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and distributes medicines, vaccines, parasiticides, dental, dermatology, and nutrition products for companion animals and livestock across 100+ countries, selling primarily through veterinary clinics, distributors, and online retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veterinary Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Animal Food Manufacturing (31111)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterinary Vaccines (Biologics) (HLAMAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biologics & Immunotherapies (Non-vaccine) (HLAMAEAK), Parasiticides & Ectoparasite Control (Flea/Tick/Heartworm) (HLAMAEAD), Veterinary Pharmacy, Vaccine & Biologics Services (AFAEANAK)

Keywords

• Veterinary pharmaceuticals
• Animal health products
• Veterinary vaccines
• Companion animal medicine
• Livestock pharmaceuticals

Headquarters

HQ city

Carros

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Veterinary Pharmaceuticals and Medicines: Revenue generated from selling veterinary medicines, vaccines, parasiticides, antibiotics, and dermatology products to veterinarians and animal health distributors
2. Companion Animal Products: Products for cats and dogs including nutritional supplements, dental care, dermatology, parasiticides, representing approximately 60% of total sales
3. Food-Producing Animal Products: Products for cattle, swine, aquaculture including vaccines, antibiotics, and health management solutions

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Virbac develops, manufactures, and sells a comprehensive range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, parasiticides, dermatology products, diagnostics, dental care solutions, and nutritional supplements for companion animals (cats and dogs) and food-producing animals (cattle, swine, aquaculture, poultry). The portfolio includes proprietary brands such as C.E.T.® dental products, Sentinel® and Iverhart® parasiticides, URSOLYX™ muscle health supplements, and Thyronorm/Felanorm for feline hyperthyroidism. Products are distributed globally in more than 100 countries through veterinary clinics, animal health distributors, and online retailers.

Product overview

Virbac is a global animal health company offering a comprehensive and practical range of veterinary products and services covering the majority of animal species and diseases. The company's portfolio includes companion animal health solutions (dermatology, parasiticides, vaccines, diagnostics, nutritional products including C.E.T.® dental products, and antibiotics), farm animal health products (cattle, aquaculture/salmon, swine), and specialty pharmaceuticals. Key products include C.E.T. AQUADENT® FR3SH® Dental Solution, URSOLYX™ Soft Chews for Cats, Sentinel® and Iverhart® parasiticide brands, and feline hyperthyroidism treatments (Thyronorm, Felanorm). The company has expanded through acquisitions including Globion (India poultry vaccines), Sasaeah (Japan farm animal vaccines), Centrovet (Chile aquaculture), and licensing agreements for therapeutic antibodies. Virbac serves veterinarians, farmers and pet owners in more than 100 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• C.E.T. Veterinary dental brand, #1 veterinarian-recommended dental brand
• URSOLYX
• Felanorm
• Thyronorm

Products and services

• C.E.T. AQUADENT FR3SH Dental Solution Veterinary dental solution for dogs that controls plaque and tartar; carries the VOHC Seal of Acceptance and is sold through veterinary clinics and leading online retailers.
• URSOLYX Soft Chews for Cats First muscle health supplement specifically formulated for cats to address muscle atrophy in aging, active or recuperating felines; key ingredient is ursolic acid; sold to veterinarians and through retail channels.
• Felanorm Oral Solution Leading drug for feline hyperthyroidism acquired by Virbac from Norbrook; expands Virbac's portfolio of treatments for senior cats.
• Thyronorm Liquid treatment for feline hyperthyroidism; distribution planned across UK, Australia, New Zealand and US markets; aids administration in cats.
• Sentinel Flavor Tabs Major parasiticide for dogs acquired by Virbac from Novartis Animal Health; generates approximately $90-100 million in revenues in the United States.
• Sentinel Spectrum Major parasiticide for dogs acquired by Virbac from Novartis Animal Health; generates approximately $90-100 million in revenues in the United States.
• Iverhart Plus Internal parasiticide for dogs; part of Virbac's canine parasiticide portfolio in the United States.
• Iverhart Max Internal parasiticide for dogs combining three active ingredients to provide wider protection including heartworm and tapeworm; marketed through veterinary channels in the United States.
• Milpro Internal parasiticide for companion animals launched in France and Northern Europe as part of Virbac's parasiticide range.
• Effitix Parasiticide product for companion animals launched in Europe; part of Virbac's external parasiticide portfolio.
• Centrovet Aquaculture Products Aquaculture pharmaceutical products from Centrovet (Chile), a wholly-owned Virbac subsidiary, providing protection and treatment solutions for salmon and other aquaculture breeding operations.
• Globion Poultry Vaccines Poultry vaccines from Globion India (now wholly-owned Virbac subsidiary), bolstering Virbac's position in the avian vaccines segment in India.
• Sasaeah Animal Health Products Farm animal vaccines and pharmaceutical products from Sasaeah (Japan), a wholly-owned Virbac subsidiary with leadership in the Japanese cattle vaccine market and a broad pharmaceutical portfolio for major species.
• C.E.T. Dental Products The number one veterinarian-recommended dental brand for pets, including dental solutions and hygiene products covering plaque and tartar control.
• iVet Specialty Petfood Specialty petfood from iVet LLC (USA), a wholly-owned Virbac subsidiary bringing distribution, logistics and e-commerce expertise for petfood in the United States.

Quantifiable outcome

• C.E.T. AQUADENT FR3SH Dental Solution received VOHC Seal of Acceptance for plaque and tartar control
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PetlovecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 June 2026Petlove, Brazil's largest pet ecosystem, partnered with Virbac as one of the major pharmaceutical firms for its PetVet medication benefits program offering up to 40% discounts on approximately 140 veterinary medications, targeting Brazil's 160 million pets
• Ceva Animal HealthminorOthers · 10 April 2026Sébastien Huron, former CEO of Virbac (2017-2024), appointed as Deputy CEO of Ceva Animal Health as part of governance evolution
• HABRI (Human Animal Bond Research Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026Partnership to promote research and education on the human-animal bond and its health benefits, translating scientific research into practical insights for veterinary professionals and pet owners
• MabGenesiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2025Licensing agreement for therapeutic antibodies for canine diseases, expanding pipeline in monoclonal antibody therapeutics
• MACSOminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 October 2024Agreement for swine health products, announced October 2024
• PharmgateminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 December 2021Collaboration with Pharmgate for FDA approval of tulathromycin injectable in the United States
• Jectas InnovatorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2021Collaborative agreement for development of animal health vaccine(s), announced September 2021

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Elanco Animal Health: Elanco is a global animal health company focused on companion animal and livestock pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and parasiticides. Its companion animal focus and product mix closely resemble Virbac's strategic priorities.
• Norbrook Laboratories: Norbrook is a Northern Ireland-based veterinary pharmaceuticals company specializing in parasiticides, anti-infectives, and specialty therapeutics. Virbac acquired Thyronorm/Felanorm from Norbrook in 2025, evidencing direct portfolio overlap and competitive proximity.
• Vetoquinol: Vetoquinol is a French-headquartered global animal health company specializing in veterinary pharmaceuticals and supplements for companion and production animals. Its portfolio and geographic mix closely parallel Virbac's, making it a strong mid-cap peer.
• MSD Animal Health (Merck Animal Health): MSD Animal Health is a leading global animal health division offering pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and parasiticides; it acquired Sentinel US rights from Virbac in 2020 and competes across Virbac's full portfolio breadth.
• Phibro Animal Health: Phibro is a global animal health and nutrition company offering vaccines, parasiticides, and nutritional specialties for livestock and poultry, with strong overlap to Virbac's food-producing animal segment.
• Dechra Pharmaceuticals: Dechra is a UK-based specialty veterinary pharmaceuticals company focused on companion animal endocrinology, dermatology, and critical care, overlapping with Virbac's specialty therapeutics and parasiticide franchises.
• Zoetis: Zoetis is the world's largest pure-play animal health company, offering pharmaceuticals, vaccines, diagnostics, and parasiticides across companion and livestock animals. It is the closest direct competitor to Virbac across virtually every product category and geography.
• Ceva Animal Health: Ceva is a France-based global animal health company providing vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and companion animal products. As a fellow French-headquartered peer of similar size and scope, it is a closely comparable direct competitor, especially in Europe and emerging markets.
• Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health: Boehringer's animal health division offers a broad portfolio of veterinary vaccines, parasiticides, and therapeutics for companion and food-producing animals, directly overlapping with Virbac's core franchises. It is one of the top global animal health players.

Broad incumbents

• IDEXX Laboratories: IDEXX is a leading veterinary diagnostics company offering in-clinic lab equipment and tests; while diagnostics is only a portion of Virbac's portfolio, IDEXX is a benchmark for veterinary channel economics and product premium pricing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/virbac

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A8 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Virbac