Paul Casady, Vice President, North America and General Manager USA, along with Steve Shell, Companion Animal Business Unit Director, spoke about the strength of Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health’s business and its impact on the U.S. animal health industry.

"Schering-Plough is a global health care company with three integrated businesses: Pharmaceutical, Consumer Health Care and Animal Health," said Casady.

"These three integrated businesses each operate with its own business logic, within a shared culture – using shared resources and a common science platform."

The combination of Intervet and Schering-Plough Animal Health creates a diverse business on many fronts.

"With the animal health segment representing 16 percent of Schering-Plough’s total net sales (YTD 9/08), we also now have an expanded geographic footprint, greater than 1,000 products, and revenues are spread over many species," Casady added.

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health's combined animal health portfolio includes pharmaceuticals and vaccines across five different species groups: ruminants, poultry, swine, aquatic and companion animals, including equine.

"Our products range from vaccines, antiparasitics, anti-infectives, fertility management, pharmaceutical specialties, and innovative animal health programs, such as pet recovery and livestock data management tools," Casady said.

"We have offices in more than 50 countries and are marketing our products in more than 120 countries. We also operate manufacturing and research & development sites around the world."

This global presence is what has made Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health the leading animal health company in the world based on year to date September 2008 sales figures.

"We are a leader in cattle, a leader in sheep, a leader in poultry, a leader in aquaculture and a leader in swine,” said Casady. “And we are going to work hard to become a leader in companion animal – especially here in the US."

Steve Shell, Companion Animal Business Unit Director-USA, agreed.

"Our R&D team is constantly seeking new ways to provide our customers and their clients with the latest science and veterinary medical expertise. We strive to provide safe, high-quality, effective products that meet the changing needs of animals and those who care for them," he said.

Shell added: "We are placing a strong emphasis on Pet Wellness. This means providing quality products and local service to our customers, and helping to initiate protocols that improve practice growth and client compliance."

Both Casady and Shell stressed that the new company will work hard on helping customers provide the best veterinary care possible.

"We want to be a preferred partner for veterinary professionals here in the US," said Shell.

"Our combined business and broad portfolio will allow us to provide the highest level of service and quality to our customers – whether it is in vaccines or pharmaceuticals or other innovative services, and have Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health be a company they not only depend upon, but that they trust.”