Merial to establish global headquarters in Lyon

Merial has announced that it will be establishing its global headquarters in Lyon as it seeks to strengthen its business capabilities.

The Gerland area of the French city, which is known as the birthplace of biological vaccine production, has been chosen as the animal health company's new base, consolidating a number of other global functions that are currently centred there.

At present, Lyon is Merial's centre for Europe, Middle East and Africa activities, with 1,400 employees based in six sites in the city and the surrounding region.

Jose Barella, senior vice-president for Merial, said: "The presence of our global headquarters at Lyon illustrates and reinforces the involvement of Merial within the scientific community of Greater Lyon."

Earlier this year, Merial's parent company Sanofi announced its commitment to developing the brand as a major growth platform after abandoning plans to merge the unit with Intervet/Schering-Plough, now called MSD Animal Health.

The regulatory conditions attached to the merger were agreed by Sanofi and Merck Sharpe and Dohme – owner of Intervet/Schering-Plough – to be too complex, with both firms subsequently pledging independent commitments to animal health.