Bayer and Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica have signed an agreement under which Bayer would acquire Boehringer’s Cydectin bovine and ovine endectocide products in the U.S.

Once completed, the deal would include the transfer of Cydectin Pour-On, Cydectin Injectable and Cydectin Oral Drench. These endectocides with the active ingredient moxidectin offer persistent killing of internal parasites at multiple stages, including the most economically devastating parasite, Ostertagia ostertagi (brown stomach worm) and controls external parasites including lice, grubs and psoroptic mange mites on beef and dairy cattle.

"This transaction underlines our strategy to strengthen our portfolio with bolt-on acquisitions," said Dirk Ehle, head of Bayer Animal Health. "The U.S. is our most important market, and the addition of the Cydectin products will help further strengthen our position in cattle parasiticides in the U.S."

The sale of Boehringer’s U.S. Cydectin products is a required step toward its acquisition of Merial as part of the larger swap transaction between Sanofi and Boehringer.