Kela

What Kela does

Kela NV is a Belgian family-owned pharmaceutical company founded in 1941 and headquartered in Hoogstraten, Belgium. Following the December 2024 divestiture of its Human Health division (Kela Pharma) to Ceres Pharma nv, the company now operates exclusively as an animal health manufacturer and contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). Kela develops, manufactures, and distributes veterinary pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements for livestock (cattle, poultry, swine) and companion animals, selling into more than 50 countries under three brands (Kela, Anupco, and Phenix).

Its core products center on antibiotics — particularly benzylpenicillin, where Kela is one of the few global manufacturers of finished veterinary penicillin — alongside anti-inflammatories, antiparasitics, anthelmintics, and injectable vitamins and minerals. Manufacturing relies on aseptic processing and specialized beta-lactam facilities at Hoogstraten, which is currently being expanded with new automated penicillin production lines described as the largest investment in the company's history. The CDMO arm provides contract development, manufacturing, and release services for sterile injectables, sterile suspensions, and intramammary injectors, including beta-lactam antibiotics, serving external animal health clients such as Boehringer-Ingelheim and Vetcare.

Kela operates a dual-revenue model combining branded product sales and contract manufacturing services. Distribution is executed through wholly-owned subsidiaries (Kela Veterinaria in Belgium, Anupco in the UK, Kela de las Américas in Mexico, Kela Thailand, Kela China) supplemented by joint ventures in China (Vetop China, 50%) and Algeria (GPMK, 49%) and external distributor coverage in Africa, Asia, and Central America. Go-to-market is primarily B2B, targeting veterinarians, livestock farmers, integrated poultry operators, and wholesale distributors, supported by the KelAcademy educational platform and a regional Productfinder tool.

Name

Kela

Legal name

Kela NV

Website

https://kela.health

Company type

Private

Founded year

1941

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Kela NV is a Belgian family-owned pharmaceutical company founded in 1941 that manufactures and distributes veterinary pharmaceuticals (notably finished penicillin) and nutritional supplements for livestock and companion animals globally, while also providing contract manufacturing (CDMO) services for sterile injectables and beta-lactam antibiotics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veterinary Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Veterinary Pharmacy, Vaccine & Biologics Services (AFAEANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vaccine Manufacturing & Contract Services (Veterinary Vaccine CDMO) (HLAMAKAI), Antimicrobials & Anti-infectives (HLAMAEAE), Veterinary Vaccine & Biologics Distributors (HLAMAIAC)

Keywords

• Veterinary pharmaceuticals
• Animal health products
• Contract manufacturing
• Sterile injectables
• Beta-lactam antibiotics

Headquarters

HQ city

Hoogstraten

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Animal Health Product Sales: Development, manufacturing and distribution of pharmaceutical products and dietary supplements for livestock and companion animals globally. Includes antibiotics (penicillin as flagship), anti-inflammatories, antiparasitics, anthelmintics, and injectable vitamins/minerals.
2. Contract Manufacturing (CDMO): Contract development and manufacturing organization services for injectables, sterile suspensions and solutions for other animal health companies. Provides complete one-stop services covering development, manufacturing and release of antibiotics.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kela develops, manufactures, and distributes veterinary pharmaceutical products and nutritional supplements for livestock (cattle, poultry, swine) and companion animals, with penicillin-based antibiotics as its flagship offering. The company also operates as a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), providing aseptic manufacturing services for sterile injectables, beta-lactam antibiotics, and intramammary injectors to other animal health companies.

Product overview

Kela is a Belgian family-owned pharmaceutical company founded in 1941, operating as a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and animal health company. The product portfolio consists of three main brands (Kela, Anupco, and Phenix) covering veterinary pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements. Core products include antibiotics (particularly penicillin as a finished injectable product), anti-inflammatory medications, antiparasitics, anthelminthics, and injectable vitamins for livestock (cattle, poultry, swine) and companion animals. Kela operates through regional subsidiaries (Kela Veterinaria in Belgium, Anupco in the UK, Kela de las Américas in Mexico) and distribution partners globally. As a CDMO, Kela provides contract manufacturing services specializing in sterile injectables and intramammary injectors, with particular expertise in beta-lactam antibiotics. The company also maintains an educational platform (KelAcademy) promoting responsible antibiotic use.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kela: Flagship brand for human and veterinary pharmaceutical products. Kela brand is synonymous with European quality standard. Human products mainly for Belgium and Luxembourg; veterinary products distributed worldwide. Products exclusively manufactured at Hoogstraten, Belgium facilities.
• Anupco
• Phenix

Products and services

• Kela Animal Health Pharmaceutical Portfolio Comprehensive range of veterinary pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements for livestock (cattle, poultry, swine) and companion animals, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, antiparasitics, anthelminthics, and injectable vitamins. Sold globally through proprietary distribution subsidiaries and external partners to veterinarians, farmers, and distributors.
• Penicillin (Benzylpenicillin) Injectable Kela's flagship veterinary antibiotic, manufactured as a finished injectable product for treating bacterial infections in livestock and companion animals. Kela is one of the few global players producing penicillin as a finished veterinary product, with new automated production lines under construction in Hoogstraten, Belgium.
• Injectable Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements Injectable vitamin and dietary supplement formulations designed to maintain health of companion animals and livestock by compensating for potential vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Sold via the Kela, Anupco, and Phenix brands in markets worldwide.
• Contract Manufacturing (CDMO) Services Contract development and manufacturing organization services for sterile injectables, sterile suspensions and solutions, including beta-lactam antibiotics and intramammary injectors. Provides complete one-stop services covering development, manufacturing, and release of veterinary pharmaceutical products for other animal health companies such as Boehringer-Ingelheim and Vetcare Ltd.
• Pharmacovigilance Service Adverse event reporting service for veterinary products, allowing veterinarians and users to report suspected adverse reactions associated with Kela products.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products used in over 50 countries worldwide
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 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

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Yantai WeikangcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Strategic distribution partnership signed in Zhengzhou, China for distribution of 4 injectable products. Yantai Weikang is a leader in the Chinese pharmaceutical industry and aims to improve its injectable product offerings by integrating Kela's advanced veterinary products.
• Vetop ChinaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 201650% owned joint venture for manufacturing and distribution of veterinary pharmaceutical products in China.
• Biagral BelgiumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 201680% owned subsidiary acquired in 2016, enabling Kela to manufacture aromatic herb mixtures for veterinary use.
• GPMK (Algeria)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Joint venture in Algeria with 49% ownership. Provides manufacturing and distribution of veterinary pharmaceutical products in the region.
• Wolfs NVminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1981Initially 50% ownership acquired in 1981, followed by full acquisition in 2004. Strengthened access to human pharmaceutical market.
• Access VetMedminorOthersMember of Access VetMed (formerly European Group for Generic Veterinary Products - EGGVP), founded 2002. Kela was one of the founding members. Association focuses on value of generic veterinary medicines and responsible use following One Health approach.
• University of GuadalajaraminorOthersAcademic partnership for local testing and field trials of products in Mexico. Contract in place for conducting local trials.
• Asociación De Médicos Veterinarios Zootecnistas Especialistas en Bovinos (Veracruz)minorOthersLocal veterinary association in Veracruz, Mexico that assists with local testing of products in the field.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Vetoquinol: Independent French veterinary pharmaceutical company with a comparable portfolio across antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and parasiticides for livestock and companion animals. Highly comparable size, family/heritage ownership profile, and therapeutic mix to Kela.
• Virbac: French-listed animal health pharma company with overlapping therapeutic categories (antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, parasiticides) and a strong injectable/sterile product range. Direct competitive overlap with Kela's livestock pharma and CDMO-style manufacturing depth.
• Dechra Pharmaceuticals: UK-headquartered animal health pharmaceuticals company (now under Elanco ownership) with a specialty veterinary pharma focus. Geographic and customer-base alignment with Kela's Anupco UK business, and overlapping therapeutic classes.
• Norbrook Laboratories: Northern Ireland-based veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer with a strong generics and antibiotics portfolio (including penicillins) and global distribution. Closest like-for-like peer to Kela in terms of size, ownership structure, and therapeutic focus.
• Huvepharma: Bulgarian-headquartered animal health and nutrition company with a significant veterinary pharmaceuticals manufacturing base and antibiotic/anti-parasitic portfolio. Comparable CDMO-style manufacturing footprint and European origin.
• Ceva Santé Animale: French privately-held animal health company spanning pharmaceuticals, biologicals, and contract manufacturing. Overlapping therapeutic mix with Kela and a notable CDMO/biologics capability that mirrors Kela's two-pillar model.
• Phibro Animal Health: US-listed animal health company with a meaningful antibiotics and nutritional specialties portfolio, serving livestock producers globally. Comparable therapeutic overlap (especially antibiotics) and contract-manufacturing orientation.
• Eurovet Animal Health: Dutch veterinary pharmaceuticals company specializing in injectable and intramammary products for livestock, with proprietary distribution across Europe. Closest Dutch/European analog to Kela's Anupco and Kela Veterinaria businesses.

Broad incumbents

• Zoetis: World's largest animal health company, spanning the entire veterinary pharma, vaccine, and diagnostics portfolio. Operates broadly across all of Kela's therapeutic and species segments as a much larger incumbent.
• Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health: Animal health division of Boehringer Ingelheim, simultaneously a strategic CDMO customer of Kela and a large incumbent competitor across antibiotics, vaccines, and parasiticides. Dual role as partner and competitor makes it a uniquely relevant reference peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kela-laboratoria-n-v-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Kela