Virbac Consolidates Globion Vaccine Business Under Virbac Biologicals, Strengthening IMEA Growth Strategy

Virbac Animal Health India has completed a major strategic restructuring of its Indian biologicals business by formally integrating its poultry vaccine subsidiary Globion into a newly branded entity, Virbac Biologicals Pvt. Ltd., creating a dedicated platform for vaccines and biologicals focused on one of the world’s fastest-growing poultry markets.

The transition marks the culmination of a multi-stage acquisition that began in late 2023 and reflects the French animal health group’s long-term strategy of expanding its biologicals portfolio across the India, Middle East and Africa (IMEA) region. By bringing Globion fully under the Virbac identity, the company aims to combine vaccine research, manufacturing and commercialization into a single integrated organization capable of serving both domestic and export markets.

From Acquisition to Full Integration

The restructuring follows Virbac’s phased acquisition of Globion, one of India’s leading poultry vaccine manufacturers.

The transaction began in November 2023, when the Virbac Group acquired a 74% majority stake in Globion. In June 2024, Virbac purchased the remaining minority shares, making Globion a wholly owned subsidiary. The June 2026 rebranding to Virbac Biologicals Pvt. Ltd. represents the final stage of that integration process.

Founded in 2005 as a joint venture between the Suguna Group and Germany’s Lohmann Animal Health, Globion built a strong reputation in the development and manufacture of live and inactivated poultry vaccines targeting major avian diseases.

Strengthening Virbac India’s Vaccines Portfolio

Virbac said the new organization will serve as a cornerstone of its vaccines and biologicals business, combining scientific expertise with expanded manufacturing capacity and research capabilities. According to the company, the integration is designed to:

• consolidate poultry vaccine research and development;

• strengthen commercial-scale biological manufacturing;

• accelerate product innovation;

• improve supply-chain efficiency; and

• expand access to preventive animal-health solutions across IMEA.

“Virbac Biologicals Pvt. Ltd. represents a significant milestone in strengthening our biologicals and vaccines platform. This integration brings together complementary scientific expertise and manufacturing strength, enabling us to better serve veterinarians, poultry farmers, and animal health stakeholders across IMEA,” said Natesan Thanthoni, Area Director – India, Middle East & Africa, Virbac Animal Health.

Addressing a Fast-Growing Poultry Market

The strategic importance of the move reflects the rapid expansion of India’s poultry sector. India is now among the world’s largest poultry producers, with:

As flock sizes continue to grow, vaccination has become a critical component of disease prevention, productivity and export competitiveness.

Diseases such as Newcastle disease, Infectious bursal disease, Infectious bronchitis, Marek’s disease and Avian influenza continue to drive demand for high-quality vaccines and comprehensive biosecurity programmes.

Expanding Role of Poultry Vaccines

The integration also reflects broader changes within the global animal health industry, where vaccines and biological products are becoming increasingly important.

The global veterinary vaccines market is estimated to exceed US$11 billion in 2026 and is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of approximately 6–8% through the end of the decade, driven by:

• increasing livestock production;

• rising poultry protein consumption;

• tighter antimicrobial stewardship;

• stronger biosecurity requirements;

• expansion of export-oriented poultry production; and

• greater emphasis on preventive healthcare.

Biological products are also playing an increasingly important role as governments and producers seek to reduce dependence on therapeutic antibiotics through preventive vaccination strategies.

Manufacturing Hub for IMEA

The newly established Virbac Biologicals platform is expected to support customers well beyond India. Virbac stated that the integrated business will strengthen its ability to supply vaccines and biologicals across the India, Middle East and Africa region, where poultry production continues to expand rapidly in response to growing demand for affordable animal protein.

India has emerged as an increasingly important manufacturing base for multinational animal health companies because of its established vaccine expertise, skilled scientific workforce and competitive production costs.

Strategic Importance for Virbac

Headquartered in France, Virbac operates in more than 100 countries and focuses exclusively on animal health. In India, the company markets products across livestock, poultry, aquaculture, equine and companion-animal segments, including vaccines, pharmaceuticals, parasiticides, nutritional products and disinfectants.

The Globion acquisition represented one of Virbac’s largest strategic investments in India and significantly strengthened its position in the specialized poultry biologicals segment.

Outlook

The transition to Virbac Biologicals reflects more than a change in corporate identity. It signals Virbac’s intention to establish India as a strategic centre for poultry vaccine innovation, manufacturing and regional exports.

With poultry production continuing to expand across South Asia, the Middle East and Africa—and disease prevention becoming increasingly central to sustainable livestock production—the consolidated biologicals platform is expected to enhance Virbac’s competitive position in one of the fastest-growing segments of the global animal health industry.

Industry observers believe the integration also reinforces the broader shift toward preventive animal healthcare, where vaccines and biologicals are expected to account for a growing share of future investment as producers seek higher productivity, improved biosecurity and reduced antimicrobial use.