Everett Hoekstra, New President of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Animal Health

The company behind NexGard Chewables (afoxolaner) and Ivomec (ivermectin) appointed Everett Hoekstra, as the new president of its animal health business unit.

The former CFO of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Animal Business Health Unit will oversee products such as antiparasitic drugs, vaccines and pharmaceuticals to prevent disease among companion animals and livestock.

Mr. Hoekstra has been part of Boehringer Ingelheim since 1997 and served leadership roles in finance and the human pharmaceutical business, co-leading the launch of a type 2 diabetes treatment program in partnership with Eli Lilly and Duke Clinical Research Institute.

Prior to joining Boehringer Ingelheim, he spent 12 years as a co-owner and business manager for a veterinary group. Some of his major projects included building a veterinary agriculture business, distribution company and developing medicines to protect livestock.

“Those experiences gave me a deep appreciation of the invaluable contributions veterinarians make every day,” Hoekstra said. “Preventing disease in pets and livestock – and keeping animals healthy – contributes to human health and wellbeing.”

Established in 1955, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Business Unit launched beloved products like Frontline (fipronil), an antiparasitic for cats and dogs, and Heartgard Plus chewables (ivermectin and pyrantel), heartworm medicine for dogs. The company emphasizes that animal health is just as important as human health.

According to the market research firm, Orbis Research, the global animal health market is predicted to grow by 5.63 percent between 2018 to 2023.

After swapping out its consumer healthcare business for Sanofi’s animal health business, Merial, Boehringer Ingelheim is positioned to become a leader in the global market. Just days ago, the company launched the first locally-available veterinary vaccine in China. Ingelvac PRRS is a vaccine for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, a disease that commonly afflicts Chinese pigs.

Mr. Hoekstra, who will replace Paul Fonteyne, is keen on driving growth and innovation.

“I look forward to helping advance Boehringer Ingelheim’s legacy as a leader, good steward and key innovator in the animal health industry,” he said.