History

Over half a century of commitment to animal health

From a small biology research center established in 1968 in a three-room apartment in Nice to the world’s sixth largest laboratory, partnering worldwide with veterinarians, farmers and animal owners: a lot of water has flowed under the bridge! Discover our contribution through the ages.

Vétérinaire Today, 56% of the world’s inhabitants share their daily lives with at least one companion animal*.

Upon our founding in 1968, France is still an agricultural nation, where farm animals prevail. Almost 90% of veterinarians work in rural areas, as compared to around 22% in 2015**.

At a time when companion animals do not enjoy the status that they will later earn in the hearts of the French people, veterinarian Pierre-Richard Dick already sees far ahead: he feels that dogs and cats deserve the same attention accorded to farm animals.

This pursuit of the health and well-being of all animal species, so dear to our founder, is deeply anchored today in the values of our company. It serves as daily guidance to all our teams around the world.

Listening to veterinarians, farmers, and animal owners

Farmpack To provide useful solutions that improve veterinary practice and the care given to animals, we strive to meet tangible needs with safe, efficient and easy-to-use products.

Because they are in constant contact with animals, veterinarians, farmers and owners, were our first source of inspiration from the start.

Result: we often release the right product at the right time. Many of these innovations will enjoy lasting success. Such is the case for many variations of the parasiticide collar, almost 300 million of which have outfitted dogs and cats for 40 years!

Driven by this constant search for ingenuity and pragmatism, we have made formulation one of our major know-how in terms of innovation. The creation of a dedicated laboratory in the mid-’70’s gave our teams the impetus of inventiveness that has not been refuted since. For example, in 1985, alongside farmers, we developed prolonged-release boluses intended for the antiparasitic treatment of ruminants. In 1997, another innovation is micro-encapsulation technology, which serves as the basis for the first dermatological shampoo for dogs and cats that remains active after rinsing.

Consultation vétérinaire

As for biology, we were inoculated with the virus from the very beginning.

Trained at the Pasteur Institute, our founder Pierre-Richard Dick used his knowledge to develop vaccines, which are now essential to veterinary practice.

On the strength of scientific partnerships with international research laboratories, we were able to design biological products that were to become milestones: first homologous vaccine against canine parvovirus in 1982; first genetically engineered vaccine against feline leukemia in 1988; and the oral anti-rabies vaccine for foxes, delivered by helicopter!

Because animal health knows no borders

Inde Very soon after our first steps, Pierre-Richard Dick sensed that animal health was a global issue.

Our first explorations abroad date back to the 1970s in Europe. Wishing to work for animal health all over the world, we gradually offer our health solutions internationally, taking a key step in 1982 with the creation of our first subsidiary in Germany.

We have been opening up to new horizons ever since, and today we make our products available in more than 100 countries and operate production units and R&D centers on five continents.

A regionalization of research and production that allows us to act as close as possible to local health issues.

Animal health from all angles

Chien In the 1970’s, there was a sense of urgency around public opinion in developed countries, where there is already an increased awareness of well-being and protection. In response to this, France enacts a law, which in 1976 recognizes the animal as “a sentient being.” In turn, Unesco declares the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights in 1978. Convinced that the quality of the relationship that unites man and his pet, increasingly considered as a full-fledged member of the family, is determined as much by the animal’s well-being as by its health, Pierre-Richard Dick gradually built our offer with this global approach in mind. Today, our range of products includes a complete set of solutions for diagnosis, prevention, treatment and, more generally, for the quality of life of the animal. In this field, we are mobilizing to respond to day-to-day issues by sharing our solutions for dental, skin, eye, and ear hygiene, as well as food supplements, soothing products and nutritional solutions.

A resolutely future-oriented approach

Aquaculture

According to the World organization for animal health, 75% of emerging diseases in humans are of animal origin. At Virbac, we are aware of the interconnectedness of the living world, and each of our advances is intended not only to contribute to the health of animals but also to fully integrate the link that connects humans, animals, and their environment. Committed to the fight against zoonoses (rabies, leishmaniasis, dirofilariasis, etc.), we are also making progress while taking into account the major issues of food safety and quality. Evidence of this is our active search for alternatives to antibiotics and the gradual availability to veterinarians of vaccines dedicated to farm animals, as well our contribution to the development of the aquaculture sector, promoting a future animal protein. Finally, through our Target 150 program, we make farmers benefit from our commitment to global solutions in the dairy farming sector, because healthy cows produce better milk!

More than fifty years have passed and we have built a solid foundation in the service of animal health. However, we are always ready to take up the many challenges linked to the constant emergence of new diseases and the importance of animal health for the health of ecosystems. To this end, we continue to evolve: innovative, learning and agile, our teams work together every day to provide ingenious solutions to those who care for animals.

_{* Source: GFK 2016: http://www.gfk.com/fr/insights/press-release/les-proprietaires-danimaux-de-compagnie-plus-nombreux-en-amerique-latine-en-russie-et-aux-etats-unis/ [more owners of companion animals in Latin America, Russia, and the United States] [French-language only].}

_{** Source: Observatoire national démographique de la profession vétérinaire [national demographic observatory of the veterinary profession] – 2016.}

Highlights

1968

1970

1973

1977

1982

1985

1987

1988

1989

1991

1992

1996

1998

1999

2001

2006

2008

2010

2012

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

1968

Pierre-Richard Dick, a French veterinarian, creates the SARL Virbac biological research center.

1970

We take our first steps internationally thanks to distribution partnerships in Benelux and the Federal Republic of Germany.

1970

We develop the first insecticide collar for dogs, which would later become one of our flagship products.

1973

We take a new step forward with the construction of the building of our future headquarters in Carros, near Nice, quickly adding a production and storage unit and a loading dock.

1977

We make available in France the first cephalosporin in veterinary medicine (for dogs, cats and cattle), thus providing an alternative to the cephalosporins derived from human pharmaceuticals.

1982

In response to the viral gastroenteritis epidemic decimating dog breeding, we create the first parvovirus-based vaccine approved for dogs, thus entering the very exclusive club of innovative vaccine-developing laboratories.

1982

The opening of our first subsidiary in Germany, following acquisition of local distributor VMG, marks the beginning of our deployment in Europe.

1985

Number-two French animal health laboratory, we start to trade on the secondary market of the Paris stock exchange.

1987

With the acquisition of Allerderm Inc., we propel ourselves into the United States market. A specialist in the new veterinary dermatology market, we become the world leader a few years later.

1988

By designing the first genetically engineered vaccine against feline leukemia made from a purified p45 FeLV-envelope retrovirus, we provide veterinarians with an effective solution against a disease in cats for which there was no cure at the time.

1989

We open a new door with the acquisition of Imperial Dog, a dog and cat food manufacturer, founded by the creator of Royal Canin, now Virbac Nutrition.

1991

In Europe, we continue to move forward by offering the first oral anti-rabies vaccine for foxes, obtained by selective mutation.

1992

Our founder Pierre-Richard Dick, doctor of veterinary medicine, dies suddenly at the age of 55 while on a Central American sea voyage. Pascal Boissy, then financial director, succeeds him to head the company. Six months later, we adopt a new organizational structure made up of an executive board and a supervisory board, of which Jeanine Dick, wife of the founder, becomes chairwoman.

1992

Dates-clés-1992.png We push our international expansion further with the creation of our first subsidiary in Asia (a partnership with Maruyasu, a Japanese import-export company).

1996

Numerous companies created to develop our company on French territory merge into a single subsidiary, Virbac France, formalizing the beginning of the Virbac umbrella brand.

1998

jelaime,jelevaccine.png Through its “I love my pet, I vaccinate it” poster campaign, we raise the general public’s awareness of vaccination in France.

1999

Eric Marée, 48 years old, graduate of HEC and holder of an MBA from Cornell University in the United States, becomes chairman of the Virbac executive board.

1999

Thanks to the acquisition of Agri-Nutrition, a company based in St. Louis (Missouri), we acquire a range of dental care and hygiene products.

2001

We make available to European veterinarians the first interferon omega for dogs and cats.

2001

The Pierre-Richard Dick Foundation, created in 1993 after our founder’s death, becomes the Virbac Corporate Foundation. It aims to raise public awareness, educate and inform, especially children, about issues related to the integration and well-being of animals in cities.

2001

We partner with Jean-Pierre Dick, son of our founder and doctor of veterinary medicine, on his sailing adventure: through his involvement in epic races, the skipper helps to enhance the veterinary profession, promote animal health and our values in the four corners of the world.

2006

Marie-Hélène Dick, daughter of our founder, doctor of veterinary medicine and MBA graduate from HEC, is named chairwoman of Virbac’s supervisory board.

2006

We strengthen our presence with Indian veterinarians and farmers thanks to the acquisition of Agrivet Farm Care, the animal health branch of GlaxoSmithKline. A collaboration that allows us to become number 1 in this country.

2008

With 7 production units, we currently have an industrial park on five continents (France, United States, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, South Africa and Vietnam) to bring our health solutions ever closer to those who care for animals.

2008

We share with veterinarians the first deslorelin-based implant, inducing a reversible neutering in male dogs.

2010

We sign an agreement with Pfizer Inc. to acquire the Australian rights to a range of products for farm animals, primarily parasiticides and vaccines for cattle and sheep.

2012

Committed to the animal proteins of the future, we acquire a majority share of Centrovet, animal health market leader in Chile, expert in the development and production of innovative products for the protection and treatment of cold water aquaculture farms (salmon and trout).

2015

We acquire Schweitzer Biotech Company, a Taiwanese company that is an expert in the development of cell culture banks serving as the basis for production of viral vaccines primarily for swine and poultry. This acquisition gives the impulse to the creation of a new biology R&D structure in Southeast Asia, a region recognized for the largest swine and aquaculture (warm water) markets on the planet.

2015

The Virbac Corporate Foundation, aware of the challenges related to the interconnection between animal, human, and environmental health, is committed to a screening, control, and prevention program for bovine tuberculosis and rabies in the Gonarezhou Park (Zimbabwe).

2016

After the building of VB8 in Carros in 2014, dedicated to the manufacture of sterile injectables, we continue to invest in quality and production capacity with the construction of Argo Navis, VB8’s alter ego in Mexico.

2017

After the physiological range in 2016, we provide dog and cat owners with a range of dietetic petfood. Their composition is particularly suited to the dietary needs of carnivores.

2017

At the helm of St. Michel-Virbac, Jean-Pierre Dick wins his fourth Jacques Vabre Race (a first in the history of the Coffee Race). This victory marks a turning point in the life of the sailor and the most fitting closure to his 17 years of adventures around the world, flying the colors of our company.

2017

Sébastien Huron, 47 years old, doctor of veterinary medicine, head of Global Business Operations, and member of the executive board since 2012, succeeds Éric Marée as chairman of Virbac.

2018

In September, we celebrate our 50th anniversary. Along with the family of our founder, nearly 3,000 connected employees share in a two-day event that unfolds in an atmosphere of warmth, intercultural sharing and engagement in the service of animal health.

2018

We make a food supplement available in several Asian countries (Taiwan, Vietnam, The Philippines, South Korea and Thailand) to improve the survival of piglets from birth to ten days old.

2018

We win a Pharmapack Europe Award for the Smart Cap, a cap for safe extraction of liquid products (also recognized by the ADF Paris Awards in 2019). A great reward for our teams!

2018

We include in our range of chews the first dental technology that fights both the oral and digestive causes of bad breath in dogs (Fr3sh).

2019

Suigen PCV2 vaccin 332x186px.jpg We make a jump in several Asian countries thanks to a preventive solution against porcine circovirus, a virus responsible for significant losses in farms. Developed by our teams with the genotype predominant in most regions of the world, this vaccine helps limit the impact of this disease in one of the world's most important swine production areas.

2020

dates-clés-2020.png We offer to the European and North American veterinarians the first intratumoral injectable for canine mastocytomas, the second most frequently diagnosed cancer and the most common skin cancer. With this novel injectable solution, we are opening a new path in the treatment of canine skin tumors.