Merck Animal Health Receives S&P Global Awards for NUMELVI® and INNOVAX® ND-ILT-IBD
24 February 2026, Rahway: Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada and a division of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK), has announced that S&P Global Animal Health has named NUMELVI® as Best Companion Animal Product and INNOVAX® ND-ILT-IBD as Best Food Animal Product.
This marks the eighth consecutive year that Merck Animal Health has received an S&P Global Award. It is also the first time a company has won both the Best Companion Animal Product and Best Food Animal Product awards in the same year.
In most markets, including the European Union, NUMELVI is approved as a once-daily, first-line treatment. It is the only second-generation Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis, including atopic dermatitis, and for the treatment of clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis in dogs. With a once-daily regimen, NUMELVI is clinically effective after the first dose. The product inhibits the effect of JAK1-dependent cytokines involved in itch and inflammation in allergic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis and is at least ten-fold more selective for JAK1 than for JAK2, JAK3, and TYK2.*
INNOVAX ND-ILT-IBD is a single-dose vaccine approved to provide combined protection against diseases caused by Newcastle disease virus, infectious bursal disease virus, infectious laryngotracheitis virus, and Marek’s disease virus. These four diseases are among the most economically significant poultry diseases globally.
“NUMELVI and INNOVAX ND-ILT-IBD reflect our unwavering commitment to innovation across both companion animals and livestock,” said Rick DeLuca, President, Merck Animal Health. “These awards exemplify our mission to bring forward science-driven solutions that protect animals and support the people who care for them. I want to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to making these important innovations a reality. Their dedication and collaboration are at the heart of our progress in animal health.”
“Merck Animal Health continues to deliver innovative solutions to the market,” said Joseph Harvey, Head of S&P Global Animal Health. “Year after year, the company is recognized across both companion animal and livestock segments, underscoring its sustained innovation and strong customer focus. This track record of award-winning products is a clear reflection of Merck Animal Health’s leadership and commitment to advancing animal health worldwide.”
This recognition marks the eighth consecutive year of awards for Merck Animal Health. In previous years, the company received the Best Food Animal Product award for the IDAL® portfolio technology, PORCILIS® Lawsonia intramuscular vaccine for piglets, NOBILIS® SALENVAC ETC, WHISPER® ON ARRIVAL, SENSEHUB® Feedlot, and CIRCUMVENT® CML. In 2025, the company received Best Companion Animal Product for the injectable formulation of BRAVECTO®. Merck Animal Health was also named Best Animal Health Company, North America in 2021, and Rick DeLuca was named Best Visionary CEO in 2020.
NUMELVI is not currently approved in the United States.
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