Merck completed its acquisition of Antelliq Corporation, animal intelligence group, providing world-class devices for animal identification, monitoring, and traceability, from BC Partners. Merck made a cash payment of approximately €2.1bn ($2.4bn) and assumed Antelliq’s debt of €1.2bn ($1.3bn). Antelliq will be an operating unit within Merck Animal Health. Jean-Baptiste Wautier, partner at BC Partners, commented, “We are proud of Antelliq’s transformation over the past five years and believe that Merck is an ideal partner to work with Antelliq’s dynamic leadership team to support the next stage of its growth. As a truly innovative market leader, Antelliq has significant potential to continue spearheading development in the industry, as the use of intelligence, data and technology play an increasingly important role in animal health and care.”