Boehringer Ingelheim invests to further develop the pet care market in China

Ingelheim, Germany, September 29, 2020 – Boehringer Ingelheim has acquired an equity stake in China-based New Ruipeng Group (NRP Group). NRP Group is a fast-growing business that offers veterinary care, e-commerce and many other services to pet owners and the broader animal health market across China. 

“Improving the health of animals and humans is what drives us in Boehringer Ingelheim. Strong collaborations and partnerships have always been key to achieving this goal,” commented Jean Scheftsik de Szolnok, Member of the Board of Managing Directors with responsibility for Animal Health. “Together with NRP Group and other partners we are looking forward to serving pet owners in China and contributing with our knowledge in areas such as disease understanding or training and education.”

China’s pet market is one of the fastest growing markets in the world. The number of pets is continuously rising as they play an increasingly significant role in people’s lives, and pet owners are looking for integrated online and offline products, services and information. 

“We are committed to expanding our active role in this dynamic and fast-paced market. Along with NRP Group and our other partners, we believe we can advance animal health care in China to the benefit of our customers, our employees, our businesses, and most importantly, the pets,” shared David Gocken, Head of Animal Health for The Chinese Markets, Boehringer Ingelheim.

Through collaboration and knowledge sharing, the aim of the partnership with NRP Group is to offer better solutions, quality advice and professional care to the growing number of pets and pet owners across China.

This is an exciting milestone for the company’s business development in China. Boehringer Ingelheim will continue to invest in China and make its contributions to people’s aspirations for integrated and innovative solutions for their pets.

Boehringer Ingelheim remains fully committed to its current and future business partners, such as other clinics, veterinarians, distributors and animal health companies, and to expanding business opportunities with them. Both companies will continue to work independently according to their respective business models.

Through this investment, Boehringer Ingelheim joins a group of Chinese and overseas investors in NRP Group, including Tencent Holdings Ltd., a Chinese multinational technology company.

NRP Group  

NRP Group set up the first hospital for companion animals via a partnership in 1993. It has been a pioneer in the pet industry and pet care sector in the past 30 years. It is a large conglomerate in the emerging industry, and it focuses on pet care and has diversified businesses with strong innovation capability and growth potential.   

NRP Group has set up over 1,400 referral centers, central hospitals, specialist hospitals and community hospitals in more than 80 core cities across China. It has more than 16,000 employees, engaging nearly 80 percent of experts and professors in the pet industry. It owns over 50 percent of high-end MRI/CT facilities in the industry, and serves more than 10 million pet-owning households every year, thus helping safeguard the health of pets across the country.   

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health  

The lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways. We know that when animals are healthy, humans are healthier too. Across the globe, our 10,000 employees are dedicated to delivering value through innovation, thus enhancing the well-being of both. 

Respect for animals, humans and the environment is at the heart of what we do. We develop solutions and provide services to protect animals from disease and pain. We support our customers in taking care of the health of their animals and protect our communities against life- and society-threatening diseases. 

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is the second largest animal health business in the world, with net sales of 4 billion euros in 2019 and presence in more than 150 countries. For more information www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health. 

Boehringer Ingelheim 

Making new and better medicines for humans and animals is at the heart of what we do. Our mission is to create breakthrough therapies that change lives. Since its founding in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim is independent and family-owned. We have the freedom to pursue our long-term vision, looking ahead to identify the health challenges of the future and targeting those areas of need where we can do the most good.

As a world-leading, research-driven pharmaceutical company, more than 51,000 employees create value through innovation daily for our three business areas: Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. In 2019, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of 19 billion euros. Our significant investment of almost 3.5 billion euros in R&D drives innovation, enabling the next generation of medicines that save lives and improve quality of life.

We realize more scientific opportunities by embracing the power of partnership and diversity of experts across the life-science community. By working together, we accelerate the delivery of the next medical breakthrough that will transform the lives of patients now, and in generations to come.

More information about Boehringer Ingelheim can be found on www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

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