About us
About Us
Biovet a division of Antech Diagnostics, part of Mars Petcare, operates a CFIA certified laboratory offering a full array of innovative diagnostic services for veterinarians. More than a reference in Veterinary diagnostic, our laboratory is accredited by SCC and MELCC for microbiological analysis on foods and drinking water and non-drinking water.
In addition, Biovet is the only Canadian company to develop, manufacture and market high performance Multiplex serology, ELISA animal diagnostic kits and qPCR product line. The head office is located in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, within the city of biotechnology.
October 1991—Beginning of Operations
Biovet began its operations by initiating research projects with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Université de Montréal in St. Hyacinthe and the Institut Armand-Frappier in Laval. The company’s activities were focused on serological diagnostics for pigs.
Between 1995 and 1999—First Major Growth
The company was in growth mode. This rapid expansion could be explained through the addition of diagnostic services for pets and cattle as well as the acquisition of rights to a wide range of kits.
From 2000 to 2002—New Biovet Centre
Company growth stabilized, and Biovet prepared for a second phase of intensive development which began at the new Biovet Centre. It was one of the first companies to settle in the City of Agri-foods, Veterinary and Environmental Biotechnology in St. Hyacinthe.
June 2003—Biovet Acquires 50% of the Pet Market
Biovet acquired Laboratoire DVQ Inc. in St. Hyacinthe, becoming the largest company in the animal diagnostics field in Quebec. That transaction gave Biovet a 50% share of the pet market, and the capability of offering Quebec veterinarians with an even more complete service.
September 2003—Five New Laboratories
Biovet opened the following five new serology laboratories: ACP (PCR, ADN), biochemistry, virology and pathology, bacteriology and parasitology. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the Biovet Centre marked the beginning of an important phase in the company’s development.
2005—A New Management Team
Biovet was transferred to three shareholders— René Lallier, Paule Létourneau and Pierre Hébert—who took over management of the company from that moment on.
In 2006 and 2007—Significant Growth at the International Level
Biovet enjoyed a significant growth period on three fronts: at the international level, in the diagnostic kits market, and in the agro-industry business. This period was also characterised by the creation of a new research and development program. This program oversaw numerous projects for diagnostic kits and veterinary diagnostic services. The first new products and services to come out of this research and development effort were available in early 2008.
2008—A New, Dynamic Transport Team
Biovet increased its market share in diagnostic services for companion animals by adding a new, dynamic transport team.
January 2009—The Acquisition of Wolff Laboratories
Biovet USA acquired Wolff Laboratories, a long-time diagnostic laboratory that had been serving veterinarians for over 35 years. The combination of these two companies gave veterinarians in the Midwest access to a variety of quality diagnostic kits and services.
2010—New Laboratory in the Quebec Region
Biovet leased space at the Daubigny Veterinary Hospital to establish a laboratory for veterinary analysis. After leasehold improvements, equipment purchases, hiring staff, establishing quality procedures, and a gradual increase in operations, the Biovet laboratory thoroughly achieved its initial goals….
2011—Acquisition of Les Consultants Vetco Inc.
Biovet purchased “Les Consultants Vetco”, an important laboratory specializing in the analysis of drinking and non-drinking (recreational) water in Quebec. In addition to expanding its range of MDDEFP-accredited services in this field, this allowed Biovet to offer a more comprehensive laboratory analysis service to its clients, and to consolidate its position in the market.
2011—New Service Location in Boisbriand
Biovet announced the official opening of a new service location in Boisbriand in partnership with AccelLAB. Taking advantage of existing facilities and expertise, Biovet could offer analysis services to its customers in Greater Montreal and the Lower Laurentians. This affiliation contributed greatly to the diversification and improvement Biovet’s veterinary diagnostic services.
2012—xMAP Kits Exclusive Distributor
Biovet, in partnership with Luminex®, became the exclusive distributor of xMAP® kits, including the first multiplex immunoassay approved by the USDA. Using this open-architecture technology, Poultry Check® kits were developed. This allowed a large number of analyses to be done more quickly, more accurately and more cost-effectively, e.g. the serotyping of salmonella and several avian diseases.
2013—New Accreditation by the SCC
Biovet’s microbiology and PCR agri-food laboratory received new accreditation from the Standards Council of Canada. This certification pertained mainly to microbiological food testing and further expanded the range of services offered in the food and veterinary markets.
2014—Development of New Powerful Diagnostic Tools to Fight PED
Biovet worked tirelessly to offer veterinarians and the Canadian pork industry new. powerful diagnostic tools to fight Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) and Swine Delta Coronavirus (SDCV). These tests can detect these viruses not only in animals, but also in food or in different types of samples obtained from pig environment.
2016 – New qPCR kits and several new tests
Biovet launches several new high performance qPCR kits and therefore can offer its customers a new range of PCR tests implemented by our R & D Department.
Also, our laboratories now offer measurement of SDMA as well as DGGR lipase. These more sensitive and specific tests make it possible to improve the diagnosis for companion animals.
Finally, Biovet obtains a first United States Veterinary Biological Product Permit for Sales and Distribution from the USDA.
2017 – New division, new accreditations and new premises
The first Continuous Education for Bovine Practitioners organized by Biovet was very successful.
Biovet USA moves to new, larger premises.
The St-Hyacinthe laboratory receives new accreditations from the SCC.*
Biovet is launching a division of DNA analysis that allows, among other things, to diagnose several genetic diseases.
* SCC: The Standards Council of Canada
2018 – $2.25 million expansion for Biovet facilities
The construction of two new areas totalling nearly 10,000 square feet and a reorganization of existing premises that includes the development of a new analysis laboratory. This work was made necessary by the growth experienced by Biovet over the past few years. Saint-Hyacinthe Technopole, which owns the building has contributed up to $1.5 million.
2019
Biovet has just acquired an automated bacterial identification device using the MALDI TOF MS technology. This device allows even faster and more accurate diagnosis of bacterial infections.
The agri-food laboratory has obtained new accreditations from the SCC and is expanding its range of services, particularly with the acquisition of the 3M™ Molecular Detection System.
The Research and Development team continues to improve or develop several new PCR, MFIA and ELISA tests and diagnostic kits. It can also count on the next generation with its two new Immunoassay and PCR Directors.
The Sales team is keeping pace, with a new Sales Manager and a new Sales Representative – Companion Animals and Bovine.
In October 2019, Antech Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Mars Petcare, acquired Biovet. Joining with Antech is a natural merger of two like-minded organizations with a shared commitment to delivering innovation and quality services to veterinarians, allowing them to deliver excellent, compassionate care to companion animals.
Biovet’s system is now integrated into VetWare management software for veterinary clinics.
2020
As an essential service, Biovet remains open during the pandemic and continues to offer comprehensive laboratory services.
The R&D team is working to develop and improve several PCR diagnostic tests and kits for companion animals, bovine and swine. Our range of services is expanding thanks to innovative diagnostic methods and new collaborators in the Antech family.
During the year, two new Sales Representatives – Companion Animals joined the Biovet team.