IdentiGEN provides DNA-based animal traceability solutions for livestock and aquaculture
Merck Animal Health has completed the acquisition of IdentiGEN. (Credit: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)
Merck Animal Health has completed the acquisition of DNA-based animal traceability solutions provider IdentiGEN from MML Growth Capital Partners Ireland for an undisclosed sum.
Established in 1996, IdentiGEN offers DNA-based animal traceability solutions for livestock and aquaculture.
The company’s DNA-based solutions are used by producers, processors and retailers of meat and seafood products in the agri-food industry in Ireland, Europe, the UK and the US.
IdentiGENs’ DNA TraceBack is an evidence-based animal traceability solution
The company’s technology integrates each species’ unique DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and data analytics to deliver an evidence-based animal traceability solution called DNA TraceBack.
DNA TraceBack will help precisely trace beef, seafood, pork and poultry, which is verifiable from farm-to-table.
According to Merck, the addition of specialised digital technology to the portfolio of medicines, vaccines and services will help advance animal health, as well as complements the existing identification and monitoring technology that delivers real-time, actionable data and insights to enhance animal management and health outcomes.
Merck Animal Health president Rick DeLuca said: “Enhanced digital technology will play an increasingly important role in food traceability and food safety, providing customers critical information and actionable data to help ensure a sustainable supply of quality food to protect public health.
“We now will be able to provide end-to-end animal traceability solutions at industry scale to improve the health and safety of animals and ensure even greater transparency in our food supply.”
In April 2019, Merck Animal Health completed the Antelliq and its brands, Allflex Livestock Intelligence, Sure Petcare and Biomark, which offer digital technology for animal identification, animal monitoring and smart data management for livestock and companion animals.
In December of the same year, the company acquired Vaki that offers fish farming and wild fish conservation monitoring equipment and real-time video monitoring technology to improve fish health and welfare.
In June this year, Merck acquired Quantified, which is a data and analytics company that monitors cattle body temperature and movement for the early detection of illness.
Separately, Elanco Animal Health completed the acquisition of Bayer Animal Health in a deal valued at around $6.89bn.