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Our History

“The lives of animals and people are intertwined in deep and complex ways and we are rightly positioned to keep pursuing uncovering innovative ways to make a difference to animals’ and people’s lives alike. We know that when animals are healthy, humans are healthier too.”

1885

A family-owned company with 28 employees, headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany was founded by Albert Boehringer.

1897

Merieux founded the Institut Biologique Merieux (Mérieux Biological Institute), in Lyon, France. This early vaccine research and production center was the starting point for the animal health endeavors that would one day become the company Merial.

1955

Boehringer Ingelheim's Animal-Health clivision was established as the company takes over Pfizer's veterinary program.

1997

Merial was created through the merger of Rhône Mérieux (Rhône-Poulenc, France) and MSD AgVet (Merck & Co, US).

2009

Merial becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sanofi.

2015

Boehringer Ingelheim enters into exclusive negotiations with Sanofi consisting of a strategic exchange of their consumer healthcare business for Merial.

2017

Two complementary companies, Boehringer Ingelheim and Merial, unite through a passion for animals and a joint history of integrity, quality and trust.