In 1982...

Tennis players David Nalbandian and Andy Roddick were born. So, for that matter, were actresses Kirsten Dunst and Billie Piper, heir-to-the-heir to the UK throne Prince William, singer LeAnn Rimes, soccer player Jermaine Defoe and Aussie swimmer Ian Thorpe.

Rather worryingly, at the ripe old age of 25, the latter has just retired from his sport having achieved everything he had set out to achieve.

Also born in 1982, and most emphatically not contemplating retirement, was Animal Pharm.

Twenty five years ago, I was in my first year at university (whereas the editorial team's youngest member was scarcely out of kindergarten) and not terribly interested in veterinary pharmaceuticals, agriculture, animal health or any of the other fields that we cover.

But in the decade or so that I have been involved in the industry, the two most marked trends that I've observed have been a consistent trend towards consolidation - hardly unique to the animal health industry - and the growing strength of the companion animal market compared to the livestock products market.

It's fitting then, that the front page story for our anniversary issue is a direct reflection of this last trend.

Long-time livestock product specialist and stalwart Elanco has a new sibling. Eli Lilly has announced the creation of a new companion animal products division: Lilly Animal Health.

Check out our next issue for more details.