Industry update News disease management Management
Vet health firm Bimeda wades into aquaculture market

Global animal pharmaceutical firm, Bimeda Inc., is testing the waters of the aquaculture market with its recent acquisition of fish vaccine maker AquaTactics Fish Health.

The purchase of the Wash.-based AquaTactics is Bimeda’s  first investment in the aquaculture space and is a strategic investment in a rapidly growing animal health-care segment, according to the American animal health-care products manufacturer based in Oakbrook Terrace, Il.

Bimeda focuses on treating and preventing disease and parasite infestation in livestock, poultry, equine and companion animals.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce Bimeda’s latest strategic acquisition. We see excellent long-term growth potential for AquaTactics, which will continue to be led by founders Hugh Mitchell, DVM, and Dr Tom Goodrich,” said Donal Tierney, group chief executive officer of Bimeda. “The combination of Bimeda’s planned investments in marketing and product development, AquaTactics’ expert leadership team, and the company’s world class aquaculture product and service offering, will drive significant growth in the US and internationally.”

The acquisition is Bimeda’s second preventive health acquisition in 18 months. In December, 2019, Bimeda bought Texas Vet Lab.

AquaTactics produces fish antibiotics and sedatives. The company also provides veterinary services, veterinary consultation and custom prescription vaccines.

“AquaTactics has been searching for a perfect strategic partner for some time to help us realize our desire to properly increase our capacity to serve the aquaculture sector. Bimeda, a family-run multinational animal health company, represents the ideal compromise between scale and small company values and philosophy,” said Hugh Mitchell, Aqua Tactics co-founder.