Company Description
Zoetis Inc. (NYSE: ZTS) is described as the world’s leading animal health company. It operates in the pharmaceutical preparation manufacturing industry within the broader manufacturing sector. Zoetis focuses on advancing care for animals by developing and supplying medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies that help predict, prevent, detect and treat animal illness.
According to company disclosures, Zoetis has been innovating in animal health for more than 70 years. The company highlights a singular purpose: to nurture the world and humankind by advancing care for animals. It supports those raising and caring for animals worldwide, including veterinarians, pet owners and livestock producers. Zoetis states that its portfolio and pipeline of animal health products make a difference in over 100 countries, and it is identified as a Fortune 500 company.
Zoetis’ business spans products for both companion animals and production animals. The Polygon description notes that Zoetis sells anti-infectives, vaccines, parasiticides, diagnostics and other health products for animals, with revenue generated from products for production animals such as cattle, pigs and poultry, as well as for companion animals such as dogs, cats and horses. That description also notes that the company was previously Pfizer’s animal health unit and refers to Zoetis as having the largest market share in the industry.
The company emphasizes a portfolio and pipeline that includes medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies. Recent news releases describe Zoetis’ work on monoclonal antibody therapies for osteoarthritis (OA) pain in companion animals. For example, Zoetis announced Health Canada approval for Portela (relfovetmab injection) for alleviation of pain associated with osteoarthritis in cats, and European Commission marketing authorization for Lenivia (izenivetmab) to reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. These products are described as long-acting therapies that target nerve growth factor (NGF), a mediator of OA pain and inflammation.
Zoetis also highlights a broader research and development (R&D) agenda. In an Innovation Webcast announcement, the company described a robust and diversified pipeline with multiple candidates it characterizes as having blockbuster potential. The pipeline spans species and therapeutic areas, including chronic kidney disease, oncology, cardiology, osteoarthritis pain and dermatology, as well as longer-term programs in areas such as anxiety and metabolic diseases. Zoetis characterizes its innovation model as focused on addressing significant unmet medical needs in animals and on converting science into therapies that support more productive and sustainable livestock and longer, healthier lives for pets.
Geographically, Zoetis reports that its portfolio and pipeline make a difference in over 100 countries. The company’s disclosures also indicate that it is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, based on SEC filings that list Parsippany, New Jersey as the location of its principal offices. Its common stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ZTS, as reflected in multiple Form 8-K filings.
In addition to product development, Zoetis uses capital markets and credit facilities to support its operations and capital allocation. Recent SEC filings describe a revolving credit agreement providing a senior unsecured revolving credit facility, as well as the issuance of senior notes and convertible senior notes. The company has also disclosed a share repurchase program and the use of proceeds from convertible notes offerings to fund capped call transactions and repurchases of common stock. Zoetis’ board has declared cash dividends on its common stock, as reported in Form 8-K filings.
Zoetis’ disclosures emphasize continued investment in R&D, lifecycle innovation, geographic expansion and new product innovation. The company positions itself as advancing animal health through therapies and technologies that address chronic conditions and pain management in companion animals and support sustainable animal protein production in livestock. Its activities, as reflected in news releases and SEC filings, include product approvals, capital markets transactions, conference participation and investor webcasts that provide updates on its pipeline and strategic approach.
Business model and revenue focus
Based on the Polygon description, Zoetis generates revenue by selling animal health products, including anti-infectives, vaccines, parasiticides, diagnostics and other health products. The description indicates that a significant portion of revenue comes from companion animal products, with the remainder from production animal products. While specific revenue figures fluctuate over time, company news releases note that Zoetis generated revenue of $9.3 billion in 2024 and employed approximately 13,800 people, underscoring its scale as a large animal health manufacturer.
Zoetis’ news and filings also indicate that it uses debt offerings and credit facilities to support its financial structure and that it returns capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. The company has disclosed a multi-billion dollar share repurchase program and has linked recent convertible senior notes offerings to repurchases of common stock and capped call transactions.
Research, development and innovation focus
Zoetis places significant emphasis on R&D. In its Innovation Webcast communication, the company described a pipeline that spans multiple species and therapeutic areas, including chronic kidney disease, oncology, cardiology, osteoarthritis pain and dermatology. It also referenced longer-term opportunities in areas such as anxiety and metabolic diseases. Zoetis characterizes its innovation approach as an integrated science-to-scale model that connects scientific and veterinary expertise, disease biology insights, intellectual property, manufacturing and commercial execution.
The approvals of Portela for cats and Lenivia for dogs, both monoclonal antibody therapies targeting NGF for OA pain, illustrate Zoetis’ focus on chronic disease management and long-acting therapies in companion animals. The company also notes that these therapies build on prior monoclonal antibody products in its osteoarthritis pain portfolios for cats and dogs.
Capital markets and corporate governance
Zoetis’ SEC filings show active use of capital markets. The company has entered into a revolving credit agreement providing a senior unsecured revolving credit facility and has issued senior notes and convertible senior notes. An 8-K filing describes a private offering of 0.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029, with net proceeds intended for capped call transactions and repurchases of common stock under an existing share repurchase program. Another 8-K details the issuance of senior notes due 2028 and 2035.
The company’s governance disclosures include board appointments and director compensation programs, as reflected in Form 8-K filings reporting the appointment of a new director and referencing the company’s non-employee director compensation program. Zoetis also regularly files 8-Ks to report dividends, financial results and investor presentations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Zoetis (ZTS)
- What does Zoetis Inc. do?
Zoetis Inc. is an animal health company that develops and manufactures medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies for animals. According to company descriptions, it focuses on predicting, preventing, detecting and treating animal illness for both companion animals and livestock. - In which industry and sector does Zoetis operate?
Zoetis is classified in the pharmaceutical preparation manufacturing industry within the manufacturing sector, reflecting its role in producing animal health products. - What types of products does Zoetis offer?
The Polygon description states that Zoetis sells anti-infectives, vaccines, parasiticides, diagnostics and other health products for animals. Company news releases also refer to monoclonal antibody therapies for osteoarthritis pain in cats and dogs. - Who are Zoetis’ main customers?
Company news releases describe Zoetis as supporting veterinarians, pet owners and livestock producers. These groups are identified as those raising and caring for animals worldwide who use Zoetis products and services. - Where is Zoetis headquartered and on which exchange does it trade?
SEC filings list Zoetis’ principal offices in Parsippany, New Jersey. The company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ZTS. - How long has Zoetis been involved in animal health?
Company descriptions state that Zoetis has been innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect and treat animal illness for more than 70 years, highlighting a long history in the animal health field. - Does Zoetis operate globally?
Zoetis reports that its leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries, indicating a broad international presence. - What is Zoetis’ approach to research and development?
In its Innovation Webcast materials, Zoetis describes a robust and diversified R&D pipeline across species and therapeutic areas, with a focus on unmet medical needs such as chronic kidney disease, oncology, cardiology, osteoarthritis pain and dermatology. It characterizes its model as integrating scientific expertise with manufacturing and commercial capabilities. - How does Zoetis return capital to shareholders?
Recent Form 8-K filings show that Zoetis’ board has declared cash dividends on its common stock. Other filings describe a share repurchase program and the use of proceeds from convertible senior notes to repurchase common stock. - What recent regulatory or product milestones has Zoetis reported?
Company news releases describe Health Canada approval for Portela for osteoarthritis pain in cats and European Commission marketing authorization for Lenivia for osteoarthritis pain in dogs. Both are monoclonal antibody therapies targeting nerve growth factor for long-acting pain relief.