Zoetis and Jurox develop, manufacture, and sell animal health products that detect, prevent, or treat health issues in companion and production animals.
“We have concerns that the acquisition will remove one of Zoetis’ closest competitors in the supply of three types of products that are used by farmers to treat or prevent bacterial infections in the teats of cows,†Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.
“We also have concerns that Zoetis will control two of the three sheep parasiticides that are most effective at managing parasiticide resistance. In each of these markets, which are already highly concentrated, market feedback indicates that Zoetis and Jurox are two of the key players, and there are few alternative suppliers,†Mr Keogh said.
“Barriers to new entry appear to be high in these markets as suppliers need to invest significant time and capital to develop products and meet manufacturing, licensing, and registration requirements. The manufacturing process also involves expensive technology and equipment and a high degree of technical expertise," Mr Keogh said.
The ACCC is also considering whether the proposed acquisition may substantially lessen competition in five highly concentrated markets for the supply of various companion animal products to veterinarians, including opioid and non-opioid sedatives, antidotes for sedatives, corticosteroids and penicillin.
“We have received some market feedback that Zoetis and Jurox compete closely in each of these markets and that post-acquisition, the number of effective competitors in each market may be reduced to only two or three,†Mr Keogh said.
The ACCC’s investigation is also considering whether the proposed acquisition could provide Zoetis with the ability and incentive to engage in anti-competitive bundling, particularly given the importance of Jurox’s Alfaxan product, an injectable steroid anaesthetic for use in treating dogs and cats.
“Market feedback indicates that Alfaxan is a unique product with no comparable alternatives. We are investigating whether Zoetis could successfully prevent its rivals in companion animal products from competing effectively, by bundling the supply of Alfaxan with those companion animal products,†Mr Keogh said.
The transaction is also being reviewed by the New Zealand Commerce Commission. ■