Merck, Frontline maker Sanofi-Aventis joining animal medicine businesses into world’s largest

Merck, Sanofi to unite animal medicine businesses

PET MEDS: Two top pharmaceutical companies, Merck & Co. and Sanofi-Aventis SA, are uniting their animal health businesses in what would be the world’s largest veterinary medicine company.

GOOD FIT: Sanofi’s Merial makes some very popular dog and cat products, such as Frontline flea and tick fighter and Heartgard for preventing heartworm infection. Merck’s Intervet/Schering-Plough unit mainly makes vaccines and drugs for farm animals.

FUTURE PROSPECTS: The joint venture will hold about 29 percent of the $19 billion-a-year global market, which is growing about 5 percent a year.