Merial celebrates decade in animal health

DULUTH, GA. — Merial turned 10 on Aug. 1.

The company, a joint venture between Merck and Sanofi-Aventis, celebrates the milestone under the overall theme of "Shaping Animal Health Together." The company threw a party for its employees to celebrate, which included a proclamation from Gov. Sonny Perdue, DVM, honoring the achievement.

Over the 10-year time period, Merial created some 1,300 new jobs to discover, develop, manufacture and market its pharmaceuticals and vaccines. One quarter of current Merial jobs did not exist when the company was formed.

"Ten years is not a long time for an organization that can trace its roots back to Louis Pasteur, says José Barella, executive chairman of Merial. "Nevertheless, this milestone gives us an opportunity not just to reflect on our achievements, but also to look ahead. It is critical that all sectors in the veterinary health industry work together, if we hope to succeed in meeting the animal-health challenges of the future."