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Ceva Animal Health and Mitsui & Co. have announced the creation of Ceva Bussan Animal Health, a new joint venture that brings together Bussan Animal Health and Ceva Japan under one structure. The move further strengthens the strategic collaboration between the two companies and creates a broader commercial platform in one of the world’s key animal health markets.
Announced on May 8, 2026, in Libourne and Tokyo, the new company will be operated by Ceva as the controlling shareholder. As part of the transaction, Mitsui transferred 60% of its shareholding in Bussan Animal Health to Ceva. In parallel, Mitsui also made an additional strategic equity investment in Ceva, reinforcing the long-standing partnership between the two groups.
For Ceva and Mitsui, the joint venture represents both a market expansion step and an operational platform for future growth. The companies said the strengthened partnership is designed to accelerate broader collaboration in areas such as innovation, market development and long-term sustainable value creation in animal health.
Ceva Bussan Animal Health combines Bussan Animal Health’s 75-year heritage in the Japanese animal health market with Ceva’s global position as a top five animal health company. Bussan Animal Health brings a strong presence in the veterinary channel and long-standing customer relationships, while Ceva contributes its livestock and pet health portfolio, future product pipeline and multichannel expertise, including in over-the-counter pet products.
Bussan Animal Health generated approximately €40 million in revenue in 2025 and has deep experience serving veterinarians and pet owners in Japan. Ceva Japan adds a lean commercial structure with marketing and regulatory capabilities, as well as an existing and future portfolio covering swine, ruminant and pet health.
From an animal health economics perspective, the creation of Ceva Bussan Animal Health is significant because it consolidates capabilities that are often fragmented across mature markets: local market knowledge, veterinary channel access, global innovation and regulatory execution. By uniting Bussan Animal Health and Ceva Japan, the new company gains the scale and strategic coherence needed to expand its reach and support future product introductions in Japan.
The new company will also provide Ceva and Mitsui with a stronger platform for customer engagement. In a market where companion animal care, livestock productivity and preventive health solutions all play important roles, a broader product range and consolidated commercial structure may help the company respond more efficiently to changing veterinary and producer needs.
As part of the new governance structure, Tadahiro Ohashi, former Managing Director of Ceva Japan, has been appointed CEO of Ceva Bussan Animal Health. Akito Umeda, former CEO of Bussan Animal Health, will serve as Deputy CEO, providing continuity and managerial experience as the business transitions into its new structure.
Marc Prikazsky, Executive Chairman of Ceva Animal Health, said the joint venture opens “a new chapter for animal health in Japan,” combining Bussan Animal Health’s deep local roots with Ceva’s global innovation capabilities. He added that the partnership with Mitsui lays the foundation for a stronger and more dynamic future for animal health in Japan.
Toshitaka Inuzuka, COO of Mitsui’s Nutrition & Agriculture Business Unit, said Ceva Bussan Animal Health will serve as a core platform in Japan, supporting collaboration between Mitsui and Ceva and contributing to the sustainable growth of the Japanese animal health market.
The announcement positions Ceva Bussan Animal Health as a strengthened growth platform for Japan, bringing together local heritage, global innovation and investment support at a time when the animal health industry continues to prioritize scale, specialization and long-term market resilience.
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