Read the Conversation
Conversation highlights:
- Zoetis Mexico reaffirmed its position as the number one company in the animal health market and highlighted its efforts over the past decade to raise awareness about the importance of health for both humans and animals.
- Irma underscores the need to accelerate access to innovation, especially in animal health, and to expand preventive medical care for pets.
- Zoetis’ business strategy continues to focus on creating solutions for two major areas, livestock and companion animals.
- Zoetis strong commitment to sustainable protein production, supporting farmers and producers with innovative solutions that maximize animal health and productivity while minimizing environmental impact.
- Precision health is progressing through genetic testing and data-driven tools that enable better decision-making for producers and veterinarians and contribute to improved animal welfare and sustainability.
- Ongoing efforts to actively address antimicrobial resistance by promoting the rational use of antibiotics and increasing the culture of prevention through vaccination, development of preventive solutions and antibiotic alternatives, together with the integration of artificial intelligence into operations and diagnostics to enhance efficiency and support veterinarians and pet owners.
EF: Over the past ten years, what do you consider to be two major achievements of the life sciences sector in Mexico, and what is one key goal it should set for the years ahead?
IE: If I think about life sciences in general, two major achievements stand out. The first is broader access and greater openness to differentiated treatments. Mexico now has a very high level of specialization, and most of the world’s most innovative products are available here. This is true not only for human health but also for animal health and medical devices.
The second achievement is the growing awareness of how deeply health influences everything. There is still progress to be made, but more people recognize that health is the basis of all else. Innovation in both human and animal health has demonstrated how profoundly it can change, improve, and contribute to society.
Looking ahead, one of the biggest opportunities is accelerating access to innovation in both human and animal health. In animal health in particular, increasing preventive medical care for pets is essential. When we consider how many pets there are in Mexico versus how many actually receive vaccines or parasiticides, the gap shows a significant opportunity to increase medicalization.
Access is not only about having the right drug for the right patient. It is also about creating a positive impact among veterinarians and society, helping people understand that prevention and timely treatment truly matter. Even if innovative treatments are available, without awareness of their value and the importance of early action, their full purpose cannot be achieved.
At Zoetis, this early action is reflected in the concept that the continuum of care is at the center of our work. It reflects how we aim to make an impact at every stage of the health journey, from predicting and preventing to detecting and treating. We begin with prediction, using genetic tools that help identify risks before diseases appear. It is remarkable how data and new resources allow us to anticipate conditions and then prevent them through vaccination or specific treatments. When a disease does emerge, the next step is detection. We now have diagnostic tools that enable rapid testing, even within the clinic. This can make a significant difference in how the disease is managed and also provides reassurance to pet owners and veterinarians, since both the diagnosis and the solution can happen in a single visit. Finally comes treatment, ensuring access to the right medicines. This integrated portfolio allows us to make a meaningful impact across every stage of animal health.
EF When you look at your business portfolio, how do you balance established brands and innovative products across both the livestock and pet markets, and how does this allocation of resources shape your overall management strategy?
IE: As the world’s leading animal health company and the number one animal health company in Mexico, one of our main strengths is our diverse portfolio. We take an integrated approach to animal health, building a diverse and durable portfolio of products to keep animals healthy, and a key priority is to keep innovating across all its areas. We focus on providing solutions in two major segments. The first is supporting the supply of high-quality protein by helping productive animals stay healthy and efficient. As the population continues to grow, animal protein remains one of the most reliable sources of nutrition, which makes this part of the portfolio essential.
Globally, 68 percent of the company’s income came from companion animals in 2024, with the rest coming from livestock. Mexico is among the top ten countries in the world for protein production, which makes the livestock segment particularly important. We invest in this area and work closely with farmers and producers, offering innovative solutions not only through our products but also through our people, delivering a customer experience that builds loyalty and trust.
We are equally committed to sustainable protein production, which for us means healthy animals and maximizing the value of the care they receive.
When it comes to companion animals, this space is incredibly important because pets have truly become part of the family. A study by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, in collaboration with Zoetis in 2022, showed that 94 percent of people consider their pets family members, and 92 percent would do whatever is necessary to prevent them from suffering.
This connection is powerful, and it pushes us to keep innovating. We provide vaccines, parasiticides, and are introducing new solutions such as monoclonal antibodies, which include advancing therapies for pain associated with osteoarthritis and advanced dermatology options. We have been in the dermatology market for more than ten years, offering the first innovative treatments for itching and atopy.
Our efforts also focus on supporting all stages of care. It is not only about bringing products to the market but also about improving diagnosis, education, and collaboration. We work closely with veterinarians and producers to help them be more efficient, and increasingly with pet owners, who play a crucial role in decision-making. Ultimately, it is about empowering veterinarians with the right tools to make accurate diagnoses and take preventive action, while also giving pet owners clear information so they can make better choices.
EF: Moving into the One Health conversation. What initiatives are you developing, and how do you raise awareness about this concept?
IE: In recent years, the One Health conversation has grown significantly, and there is greater awareness of how everything is connected. We cannot talk about health without considering animal health, human health, and the environment. This is essential not only for our sustainability as a species but also for understanding the challenges and opportunities we face in supporting humanity.
Our contribution comes from providing health and innovative solutions for animals while demonstrating how these advancements positively impact human health and the health of the planet. We contribute in different ways. One is through our work with producers, helping them understand that the most sustainable way to produce protein is by keeping animals healthy. Everything invested in animal health has a real return and strengthens the value of protein production. This is the way to provide healthy and sustainable protein to feed people around the world.
Another important contribution is offering tools that support better decision-making. For example, we have a genomic test for dairy producers that helps classify animals and identify which ones are likely to be more productive in terms of milk. We also have technologies in swine production, such as immunocastration, that not only improve animal well-being by eliminating the need for traditional castration but also support sustainability by helping pigs gain more weight in a better way.
The core message is that sustainability is truly embedded in our development. We constantly seek better alternatives that are positive for animals, for the people who care for them, and for the environment. We collaborate closely with veterinarians and producers and support them through our work and our solutions, including genomic tools and precision health technologies within our portfolio.
When looking at pets, the One Health approach emphasizes that preventing zoonotic diseases — those transmissible between animals and humans — is essential not only for public health but also for ensuring that pets live longer, healthier lives. By prioritizing regular veterinary check-ups, diagnostics, vaccinations, and treatments, pet owners can significantly reduce the risk of zoonotic infections in their households while at the same time supporting their pets' well-being and longevity.
EF: Could you elaborate on precision health? You mentioned predictive medicine and genomic testing. Are these part of your portfolio?
IE: Yes, that is part of our portfolio. It is a technology that is just beginning to gain visibility in Mexico. What is especially interesting is how we can use the database information we have from a large number of animals, with dairy being a clear example.
Through genomic testing, we can support producers in making more effective decisions about how to approach production. This matters because it increases productivity for the owner, has a positive environmental impact, and provides tools to improve the way animals are managed over time.
With genomic prediction, we are not providing the genetics themselves, but rather a reliable assessment that guides decision-making. In several areas, this can make a significant difference in productivity. Studies show it can reduce the amount of feed animals need, which also influences antibiotic use by allowing reductions, and contributes to lowering gas emissions.
EF: From your perspective, how can the sector raise awareness and effectively contribute to addressing antimicrobial resistance?
IE: There are several ways we can contribute. One is preventing the transmission of diseases between animals and humans, which is the preventive approach. This includes vaccination and also appropriate treatment when an animal becomes ill, whether that involves antibiotics or other alternatives. It’s important that animals are treated with antibiotics when needed, always strictly following the recommended dosage and duration of treatment.
Another way is through the solutions we develop as a company to directly impact this area. One approach is creating new preventive tools to reduce the need for treatment in the future. The other is developing antibiotic alternatives that differ from those used in human medicine, which is an important way of supporting efforts to address this issue.
There is one more point that I believe is essential to highlight. Studies consistently show that most antimicrobial resistance in humans originates from human decision-making and the use of antibiotics in human medicine, with far less influence coming from animals. Even so, we fully recognize that it remains a concern and that we can play a meaningful role in managing it. It is important to clarify this because there is sometimes a perception that animal health is a primary contributor to the problem, when in fact the evidence shows otherwise.
EF: What does the life sciences company of the future look like, and how are you shaping your team to support and evolve with that vision?
IE: I think the future of life sciences is incredibly exciting. Looking into animal health, that is our business, as we continue to gather more information and develop better tools to understand how diseases work, we can offer increasingly precise solutions, whether preventive, therapeutic, genetic, diagnostic, or through bio devices.
What truly matters is bringing together the right people, building a strong and diverse team, and equipping them with the tools and skills they need to have a positive impact. We focus on giving our teams digital insights that help them work more efficiently and make better decisions, delivering stronger results not only for producers but also for the veterinarians who care for pets.
I am very proud to have such an engaged team. We are integrating artificial intelligence into our daily operations, not only to improve internal efficiency and the way we process information, but also to empower our people to make better decisions. Everyone in our organization has access to AI tools that help them analyze data and support clients more effectively.
For example, our Companion Animal sales force uses a tool called NGSE, which helps identify account trends and approach each veterinarian or clinic more strategically. It is extremely powerful. We are working to build what I call digital fluency, ensuring that digital tools and data-based decision-making become second nature for everyone in every position.
In our diagnostics portfolio, we offer a device called Imagist, which uses AI to deliver fast and reliable results in areas such as coprology, dermatology, and hematology. This gives veterinarians a rapid and highly trustworthy tool, helping them make more accurate and confident diagnostic decisions.
In the end, we aim to strategically integrate technology with a warm human touch to deliver an exceptional experience to animals and the people that care for them.
EF: How open is the community of veterinary professionals in Mexico to these latest innovations?
IE: They are increasingly receptive. We are seeing good adoption, especially in clinics with a higher volume of consultations, where these tools can be fully leveraged. Our companion animal diagnostics are evolving quickly, and many clinics now have the same types of tools used in human health, including CT scans.
Having the right tools is essential for fast diagnosis and better decision-making. We are also providing more specific solutions, such as treatments for osteoarthritis and atopic dermatitis, and as innovation continues, new therapeutic areas are emerging. In the past, veterinarians had fewer options, but now that more tools exist, it is crucial to understand each disease, how to support it, and how to apply a more holistic approach to treatment.
For example, osteoarthritis is very common in older dogs. A proper diagnosis is key to knowing how to treat it, how to slow its progression, and how to relieve pain effectively. Treatment can include physiotherapy for both cats and dogs. We also offer a monoclonal antibody that helps manage pain. This complete and comprehensive approach improves the animal’s quality of life, and also that of the family. The strength of the human–animal bond shows how deeply pets have become part of the family, and that close relationship has a meaningful impact.
