Ceva Animal Health (Ceva), the company behind huge selling brands Feliway and Adaptil, has acquired Scout Bio, a pioneer in biotechnology focused on cutting-edge therapies for pets. 

The move represents a significant leap in innovation for Ceva, unlocking access to key advancements, including a pipeline of monoclonal antibodies and gene therapy developments to address chronic diseases in pets.

While maintaining strong positions and continuing to develop biological and preventive medicine for all species, with this strategic acquisition Ceva aims to boost its global biotechnology activities, drawing on Scout Bio's heritage but more importantly, fostering a future characterised by the acceleration of biotherapeutic innovation.

Scout Bio, renowned for its commitment to innovation, has been at the forefront of developing groundbreaking biotherapeutic products. This acquisition underscores Ceva's recognition of Scout Bio's quick and responsive approach, as well as its excellence in clinical study execution in the biotherapeutics space.

Mark Heffernan, former CEO of Scout Bio, who has joined Ceva as Senior Vice President of Biotherapeutics and CEO of Ceva Biotechnology Campus (Philadelphia) expressed his enthusiasm by declaring:  “With this acquisition, Ceva is ready to write a new chapter. The strength of the Group, which is one of the leaders in animal health, will propel our existing and future initiatives to new heights. Ceva has not only recognised our team’s delivery on innovation, but also our commitment to execution of quality clinical studies. With the power of Ceva, we will be able to accelerate biotherapeutic innovation for the well-being of pets and the happiness of their owners.”

In a commitment to continuity, Ceva will maintain a strong relationship with the world-renowned Gene Therapy Program (GTP) at the University of Pennsylvania, from where Scout Bio originated as a spin-out from Dr. James M. Wilson's laboratory.  Dr. Wilson is director of the Gene Therapy Program, the Rose H. Weiss Professor and director at the Orphan Disease Center, a professor of Medicine and Pediatrics in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and a pioneer in the field of gene therapy. 

Together, Scout Bio and Penn’s Gene Therapy Program have jointly developed multiple programmes in this emerging field, and Ceva aims to build further upon this success. The collaboration will progress existing programmes and explore new product development opportunities where these types of disruptive technologies can be applied for the advancement of animal health.

"The recent acquisition of Scout Bio by Ceva marks a pivotal moment in the advancement of pet therapeutics. This integration of expertise, resources, and a shared commitment to innovation opens new horizons for Ceva. Indeed, with the growing trend of 'pet humanisation', owners aspire to extend the lives and well-being of their four-legged companions. This strategic alliance offers us the opportunity to develop products and solutions that cater to these expectations. Together, we are poised to lead in shaping the future of biotherapeutic solutions for the well-being of pets worldwide,” said Dr. Marc Prikazsky, Chairman and CEO of Ceva.