Acquisition

RNS Number : 1749A

Benchmark Holdings PLC

17 February 2014

 

17 February 2014

Benchmark Holdings plc

("Benchmark" or the "Company" or the "Group")

Benchmark increases investment in aquaculture with the purchase of

Zoetis aquaculture vaccine assets

Benchmark, the international animal health, technical publishing and sustainability science business, is pleased to announce the purchase of aquaculture vaccine and development assets from animal health company Zoetis Inc. for a US$3m cash consideration. The deal also sees Benchmark acquire a worldwide license to utilise specific Zoetis 'know how' to help drive the future research and development of these aquaculture vaccines.

In addition to vaccine research and manufacturing equipment the portfolio acquired includes a number of developed and partially developed vaccines, seed stocks, isolates and vaccine technologies, which together very significantly advance Benchmark's aquaculture research programmes, and substantially complements the Group's existing research base.

Commenting on the development, Benchmark Chief Executive Officer, Malcolm Pye, said:

"We are very pleased to have concluded this agreement with Zoetis as this further increases our capacity to develop and deliver fundamental health solutions to aquaculture. This agreement both substantially enhances our product pipeline and increases our ability to access important world markets in aquaculture in the future".

For further information, please contact: Benchmark Holdings plc Tel: [phone] Malcolm Pye, CEO Roland Bonney, COO Amy Firth, Head of Communications Cenkos Securities PLC Tel: [phone] Ivonne Cantu (NOMAD) Russell Kerr (Sales) Tavistock Communications Tel: [phone] Catriona Valentine / Keeley Clarke / Niall Walsh

Notes to Editors:

Founded in 2000, Benchmark represents a new model in sustainable business development. Over the last decade it has built a profitable group of companies on the economics of a sustainable food chain. The company is growing in response to a rapidly increasing demand for sustainable food chains, and in particular for seafood, from both mature and emerging markets. As demand can no longer be met by declining wild resources, it will necessitate the growth of sustainable farming systems around the world.

Benchmark is an ethical company with an explicit policy based on the "3E's" definition of a sustainable business - ethics, environment and economics - which guides its strategy and operations.

The Group has three divisions: Animal Health which researches, manufactures and markets medicines and vaccines particularly for aquaculture, Sustainable Science which researches and informs sustainable development in the food industry and Technical Publishing which effects technology transfer through online publishing and education. Benchmark operates internationally with offices in the UK, Ireland, Norway, USA, Brazil, China and Thailand and, as at 31 January 2014, employs 188 people.

For further information on Benchmark and to download the Company's Admission Document please visit www.bmkholdings.com.

 

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