Digital Animal Summit

The new year is barely a few weeks old and breaking news from the animal health world is pouring in full tilt. There is fully digital pet insurance to talk about, robotic milkers in a “farm of the future”, new and improved Pet Nanny Cams, and cell culture technology influencing livestock production. But the news we are most excited to share is that the Digital Animal Summit 2019 is happening on March 21st at UC Berkeley, in Silicon Valley CA. This gathering of influential executives, innovators, investors, and entrepreneurs will explore tech’s transformative impact (today and tomorrow) on both production animal and companion animal ecosystems.

If you have a stake or interest in the animal health industry, you need to get to UC Berkeley on March 21, 2019. We are happy to extend a special invitation and discount to our followers. Register using the discount code " DASEARLY30" (30% Early Bird Discount) at: Eventzilla. The discount code is only valid till February 15, 2018.

Author:

Sebastien Lafon

CEO of Adapt1st & Advisory Council Member of Digital Animal Summit 

2018 was another very active year for the pet care and animal health category. It was an exciting year with an increased number of transactions and strategic activities.This highlights the continued transformation of the animal health industry.

For context, this comes after some major moves that have happened in 2017: Boehringer-Ingelheim acquired Merial for more than $12b (2017), Mars acquired VCA for $9b (2017), and PetSmart acquired chewy for $3b (2017). These transactions had the objective to consolidate strategic core businesses. In January, Softbank made a $300m investment in a dog-walking start-up (newsletter Sept 18). In March, Walmart announced their ambition to open 1000 veterinary clinics in partnership with PetIQ. In April, Henry Schein decided to spin off its animal health division and merge it with Vet1stChoice (named Covetrus) and form an independent Public Company and General Mill acquired Blue Buffalo for $8b. In May, Zoetis announced the acquisition of Abaxis the second largest diagnostic company behind Idexx, for $2b. In September, Elanco went public and was valued around $11B. And in the last 4 weeks, Bayer announced that they will “review options for their Animal Health” and Merck acquired Antelliq a leader in Animal identification. This may not be an exhaustive list, but it shows 2 key trends. One, that new large players are investing in this category (Softbank, General Mill, Walmart) and second, that many companies are getting out of their comfort zone to expand their value (Zoetis significant expansion in Diagnostic, Merck in Animal Identification, Henry Schein merger with an online pharmacy). As millennials comply less and less with veterinarian’s recommendations and move away from live animal-based products, it will be interesting to see how these companies will transform into more agile organizations, build new internal capabilities, maintain high valuations and adapt to the ever-changing customer expectations. 2019 is going to be equally interesting. Here are a few important questions for this year: How Idexx will respond to its new competitor? Will smaller manufacturers like CEVA, Virbac and Vetoquinol go on the offense? How will the other pet fooders react to Mars and General Mill? What else do you see for 2019?

About Digital Animal Summit:

The Digital Animal Summit (DAS) is a global forum for leaders committed to improving animal healthcare, production and management by the application of digital technology.  DAS is working on a  mission is to promote the application of technology to animal care and management. It does so primarily through its monthly newsletter, its web resources, and its annual leadership conference.

MISSION:

Promote the intersection of animal care and digital technology by:

Exposing animal production organizations and animal health companies to emerging technologies, innovative practices, and digital products.

Connecting the technology ecosystem (particularly startups) with the animal production and animal health industries.

DAS - Annual Networking Conference for the Animal Health Industry:

DAS is the must attend industry event that brings together influencers and innovators under one roof. This day long event entails innovative sessions and a look over current and future challenges which this industry faces. It highlights how technology can play its role to shape industry’s course towards a better future.

Why Attend the Digital Animal Summit?

Discover the most impactful technologies currently transforming the animal health & care industry.

Unique access to innovative animal health, production and management companies from global markets.

Great networking opportunities with industry’s top professionals and thought leaders under one roof.