Virbac

Virbac is a French animal-health company headquartered in Carros, near Nice, and focused on products and services for companion animals and food-producing animals. Founded in 1968 by veterinarian Pierre-Richard Dick, the company takes its name from a combination of the words virology and bacteriology, reflecting its original scientific orientation. Virbac developed as a specialist veterinary-health business rather than as a human-pharmaceutical company, building a portfolio that spans medicines, vaccines, parasiticides, diagnostic tests, dermatology, dental care, nutrition, reproduction, anesthesia, aquaculture, geriatrics, and electronic identification. The company serves both veterinary professionals and animal owners. Its companion-animal activities include products for dogs and cats as well as selected products for horses, exotic pets, and other animals. Its food-producing-animal activities address livestock and related veterinary needs. Major product categories include internal and external parasite control, antibiotic and other therapeutic medicines, vaccination, dermatological care, oral hygiene, prescription and specialized nutrition, reproductive health, and diagnostic solutions. Brands and product families associated with Virbac include Allerderm, Scalibor, and Iverhart, although product availability and regulatory status vary by market. Virbac became a publicly traded company in 1985. It is listed on Euronext Paris and is included in the SBF 120 reference index according to the cited company reference material. The business has an international operating structure, with sales subsidiaries and production and research facilities distributed across multiple regions. The reference material describes approximately 6,400 employees, 36 sales subsidiaries, production in 10 countries, and research and development centers in the United States, Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, France, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Australia. Nearly 90% of revenue is generated outside France, underscoring the company’s multinational character. Leadership continuity has been an important feature of Virbac’s history. After Pierre-Richard Dick died in 1992, his youngest daughter, veterinarian Marie-Hélène Dick-Madelpuech, continued the family connection by chairing the board of directors. In the executive organization, Sébastien Huron resigned as chief executive officer in September 2024, after which Habib Ramdani served as interim CEO. In June 2025, Virbac announced Paul Martingell as the incoming chief executive, with his appointment scheduled to take effect in September 2025. Virbac positions itself as a specialized, science-led animal-health group serving the full animal-care ecosystem. Its differentiation rests on veterinary expertise, research and development, a broad therapeutic portfolio, international distribution, and the ability to address both professional clinical needs and routine preventive care. The company’s activities place it in the animal-health and veterinary-pharmaceuticals sector rather than in general human healthcare or conventional consumer food.

Virbac was established in 1968 in France by veterinarian Pierre-Richard Dick. The company’s name combines references to virology and bacteriology, signaling its founding emphasis on scientific animal health. From the beginning, Virbac was organized around veterinary needs rather than the human pharmaceutical market, developing medicines and preventive products for both companion animals and animals used in food production. The company expanded its scope over time from core veterinary medicines into a broad animal-health portfolio. Its activities came to include vaccines, parasite control, antibiotics, dermatology, dental hygiene, diagnostics, nutrition, reproductive care, anesthesia, aquaculture, geriatric care, and identification technologies. This breadth allowed Virbac to serve veterinary clinics, animal owners, livestock professionals, and other participants in the animal-care system. A major corporate milestone occurred in 1985, when Virbac was listed on the stock exchange. Public ownership supported the development of an international operating model while retaining the company’s specialist identity. Virbac subsequently built sales, manufacturing, and research capabilities outside France. The cited material identifies production sites in countries including France, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Vietnam, as well as research and development centers in the United States, Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, France, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Australia. Its commercial presence reached more than 100 countries through 36 sales subsidiaries, and nearly 90% of revenue was generated outside France. Family involvement remained visible after the death of founder Pierre-Richard Dick in 1992. His youngest daughter, Marie-Hélène Dick-Madelpuech, a veterinary surgeon, became chair of the board of directors. Her role represented continuity between the founding veterinary mission and the company’s later international development. Virbac’s product strategy has continued to combine professional veterinary solutions with products used directly by animal owners. Companion-animal offerings cover dogs, cats, horses, and selected exotic pets, while the food-producing-animal business addresses livestock and aquaculture health. Product categories include parasiticides delivered through collars and pipettes, medicines and vaccines, diagnostics, dermatology, oral care, and specialized nutrition. Brand families such as Allerderm, Scalibor, and Iverhart illustrate the company’s presence in dermatology, parasite prevention, and heartworm-related care, respectively. Leadership changed again in the 2020s. Sébastien Huron resigned as chief executive officer in September 2024, and Habib Ramdani served as interim CEO. In June 2025, Virbac announced Paul Martingell as the next chief executive, effective September 2025. The company therefore entered the latter part of 2025 with a planned executive transition while maintaining its position as a multinational specialist in animal health. According to the cited 2025 reference material, Virbac had approximately 6,400 employees and turnover of €1.465 billion. The same material describes a revenue mix of 61% from companion animals and 39% from food-producing animals. Virbac is listed on Euronext Paris, is associated with the SBF 120 index, and remains headquartered in Carros. Its current identity is that of an internationally diversified animal-health group integrating pharmaceuticals, vaccines, diagnostics, nutrition, preventive care, and veterinary services.

• 2025

  Planned appointment of Paul Martingell

  [1]Virbacen.wikipedia.org

  Virbac announces Paul Martingell as CEO effective September 2025.

• 2024

  Interim executive leadership

  [1]Virbacen.wikipedia.org

  Sébastien Huron resigns as CEO, and Habib Ramdani takes on an interim CEO role.

• 1992

  Founder dies and board leadership continues within the family

  [1]Virbacen.wikipedia.org

  Following Pierre-Richard Dick’s death, his daughter Marie-Hélène Dick-Madelpuech becomes chair of the board.

• 1985

  Public listing

  [1]Virbacen.wikipedia.org

  Virbac becomes a publicly traded company.

• 1968

  Virbac is founded in France

  [1]Virbacen.wikipedia.org

  Veterinarian Pierre-Richard Dick establishes Virbac as a company dedicated to animal health.

Specialist, science-led animal-health company combining veterinary pharmaceuticals, preventive care, diagnostics, nutrition, and pet wellness for companion animals and food-producing animals.

• Veterinary dermatology

  Allerderm

  Allerderm is a Virbac dermatology product family for companion animals. It is associated with skin-care and dermatological support, an area in which veterinary treatment may involve maintenance of the skin barrier alongside management of recurring skin conditions. Specific formulations and indications differ by market.

• Parasite control

  Scalibor

  Scalibor is a Virbac external-parasite-control product family, particularly associated with protective collars for dogs. It is positioned within preventive veterinary care and is intended to help protect animals from specified parasites. Availability, labeling, and approved indications depend on local regulation.

• Parasite prevention

  Iverhart

  Iverhart is a Virbac companion-animal product family associated with heartworm prevention and related parasite-control use in dogs. Product formulations and authorization details vary by jurisdiction, so the brand should be understood as a market-specific veterinary offering rather than a globally identical product.

• Veterinary medicines · 1968

  Virbac veterinary pharmaceuticals

  Virbac’s broader pharmaceutical portfolio covers therapeutic and preventive needs across companion animals and food-producing animals. The range includes antibiotics, vaccines, anesthetics, reproductive-health products, dermatology treatments, and other medicines addressing common animal pathologies.

• Veterinary diagnostics

  Virbac diagnostics

  Virbac provides diagnostic products and solutions intended to support veterinary decision-making. Diagnostics complement its medicines and preventive products by helping veterinary professionals evaluate animal health and select appropriate treatment or monitoring approaches.

• Animal nutrition

  Virbac nutrition

  Virbac’s nutrition activities include dog and cat food and specialized nutritional products. These offerings extend the company’s role beyond acute treatment into everyday health maintenance and condition-specific support for companion animals.

• 2025

  Executive succession and leadership transitionStrategy

  Background

  Sébastien Huron left the CEO position in September 2024, creating an interim leadership period under Habib Ramdani.

  Action taken

  Virbac announced Paul Martingell as the incoming CEO, with the appointment scheduled to become effective in September 2025.

  Aftermath

  The transition positioned Virbac to continue its international animal-health strategy under new executive leadership.

  Source

• 2025

  Virbac announces Paul Martingell as incoming chief executive officer[1]Virbacen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Virbac announced that Paul Martingell would become chief executive officer in September 2025, following the departure of Sébastien Huron and an interim period under Habib Ramdani.

• 2025

  Virbac reports international animal-health scale and 2025 turnover[1]Virbacen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The cited reference material describes Virbac as the world's sixth-largest veterinary pharmaceutical group, with reported 2025 turnover of €1.465 billion and operations spanning more than 100 countries.

1. 1Virbacen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Virbac official websitevirbac.com
3. 3Merck Animal Health Completes Acquisition of U.S. Rights to SENTINEL Brand of Combination Parasiticides for Companion Animalsmedicaldialogues.in
4. 4Virbac announces the approval of TULISSIN® (Tulathromycin injectable) in the U.S. and a collaboration with Pharmgateprnewswire.com