Merial announces expansion of its global manufacturing plant in Paulinia, Brazil to support demand for NexGard® flea and tick product

PAULINIA, Brazil, Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Merial, the animal health division of Sanofi, today announced it is expanding its global manufacturing plant in Paulinia, Brazil, to support the global demand for NexGard^®, the first and only, monthly, beef-flavored chew for the treatment of flea and tick infestations in dogs. After the successful launches this year in the US, Europe and Japan, other countries globally are preparing for the introduction in their markets. The Paulinia site is projected to export the product to more than 100 countries globally in the future.

The company is holding a ground-breaking event today to celebrate the construction of the USD 25 million manufacturing plant expansion, and is honoured by the presence of Mr. Neri Geller, Minister of Agriculture in Brazil. The investment will triple the current manufacturing capacity to include 1,950 square meters of additional production rooms, along with state of the art technology to meet the global demands for NexGard. Merial expects to complete construction early 2015.

"The expansion of our manufacturing facility in Paulinia, Brazil, is an important part of our global business and manufacturing strategy," said Merial CEO and Sanofi EVP Carsten Hellmann. "NexGard is an innovative flea and tick treatment for dogs. The tasty, easy-to-use chew has proven to be an incredible success with our veterinary customers and dog owners in the countries where it is now available. With registrations filed globally, we are significantly expanding our current manufacturing capacity to prepare for demand and growth."

"We are proud to have been assigned this key global manufacturing project for the company," says Jorge Espanha, Country Manager of Merial for Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. Merial is currently the largest exporter of veterinary products in Brazil. As part of the investment, the manufacturing expansion will also create about 85 new jobs, bringing the total workforce at the site to over 450 people," Espanha continued.

The Merial manufacturing site Paulinia, Brazil is one of the largest, fully dedicated animal health production sites in the southern hemisphere. Manufacturing operations include both pharmaceutical and biological production with multi-purpose products and technologies. It is part of Merial's global manufacturing network, which operates 18 sites in 9 countries worldwide.

About NexGard
NexGard is the first and only monthly, beef-flavored chew for the treatment of flea and tick infestations in adult dogs and puppies eight weeks of age or older. One oral treatment kills fleas and ticks for a month. The novel active ingredient in NexGard, afoxolaner, is a compound from the isoxazoline family, with a new and distinct mode of action. It acts as an 'ectoparasiticide', which means that it kills parasites, such as fleas and ticks, which live on the skin or in the fur of animals. NexGard kills fleas fast, before they can lay eggs, and provides lasting protection against ticks.

About Merial
Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs around 6,200 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide with close to €2 billion of sales. Merial is a Sanofi company. www.merial.com

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SOURCE Merial