Mars acquires two veterinary diagnostics businesses

Mars has completed its acquisition of two veterinary diagnostics businesses based in France, the McLean-headquartered candy and pet care corporation announced Tuesday.

Mars purchased Cerba HealthCare’s ownership stake in Cerba Vet, a network of six veterinary diagnostics laboratories in France, and Antagene, which provides DNA testing for dogs, cats, horses and wildlife, as well as diagnostic tests to confirm diseases in pets. The two companies are now part of Mars Petcare’s Science & Diagnostics division, according to Tuesday’s announcement. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The largest privately held company in Virginia, Mars is best known for candy brands like M&Ms, Snickers and 3 Musketeers produced through its Mars Snacking division. But the company has said that Mars Petcare accounted for about 60% of the company’s $50 billion in 2023 revenue.

Mars’ interest in Cerba’s divisions was announced in May. Cerba Vet and Antagene join Mars’ other veterinary businesses, Antech, a worldwide veterinary diagnostics business, and Wisdom Panel, a genetic testing business for dogs and cats.

Mars has expanded its holdings over the past year. In November 2023, Mars subsidiary Bidco announced its planned purchase of Hotel Chocolat for $662 million, a deal closed earlier this year.