Ceva acquires Aquilón, gains Europe’s only swine dysentery vaccine

EUROPE – Ceva Animal Health has acquired the Spanish biotechnology company Aquilón CyL S.L., strengthening its swine health portfolio by adding Europe’s only commercial vaccine against swine dysentery and expanding its capabilities in disease prevention and diagnostics.

The acquisition adds a vaccine targeting Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, the bacterium responsible for swine dysentery, a major enteric disease that causes significant economic losses in pig production through reduced performance, treatment costs, and mortality.

Founded in 2012 and based in León, Spain, Aquilón is a biotechnology company specialising in research, diagnostics and biological solutions for swine diseases. 

The company originated as a spin-off from the University of León and has spent more than a decade studying the pig digestive tract and developing practical solutions for on-farm disease management.

“I am delighted by this opportunity to further strengthen Ceva’s swine intestinal health portfolio. Aquilón brings a solution that helps prevent an important disease and reduce antibiotic dependence,” said Dr Marc Prikazsky, Executive Chairman of Ceva Animal Health.

Acquisition adds new tools for disease prevention and antibiotic reduction

Swine dysentery remains a significant challenge for pig producers worldwide. 

The disease affects the large intestine of pigs, causing severe diarrhoea, reduced growth performance and production losses. 

Effective prevention strategies are becoming increasingly important as livestock industries seek to reduce antibiotic use while maintaining animal health and productivity.

The acquisition aligns with growing industry efforts to strengthen preventive animal health programmes through vaccines, diagnostics and improved disease monitoring. 

Producers across global livestock markets are under increasing pressure to improve antimicrobial stewardship while ensuring efficient and sustainable production.

Following completion of the transaction, Aquilón’s scientific team will join Ceva, enhancing the company’s global research and innovation capabilities in swine health. 

Ceva said the additional expertise will support the development and deployment of new vaccines and diagnostic technologies to improve disease control and support more sustainable production systems.

Carlos Artigas, Director of Aquilón, said the acquisition would provide new opportunities to expand the reach of the company’s innovations.

“We are proud to see our team and our flagship innovation find the ideal environment for growth within Ceva. With its global reach and strong technical capabilities, Ceva will provide outstanding support for the further development and commercialisation of this solution,” Artigas said.

The transaction reflects continued investment in animal health technologies as producers increasingly prioritise disease prevention over treatment. 

Vaccination programmes and advanced diagnostics are becoming central components of modern livestock production systems, particularly as regulators and supply chains place greater emphasis on reducing reliance on antibiotics.

Ceva, the world’s fifth-largest animal health company, continues to expand its portfolio across livestock, poultry, companion animal and aquatic animal health markets through research, product development and strategic acquisitions.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

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