Zoetis Unveils Strategic Vision for the Future of Animal Health at Innovation Webcast, Highlighting Robust R&D Pipeline and Multi-Billion-Dollar Growth Opportunities
Zoetis Inc. the global leader in animal health, hosted a highly anticipated Innovation Webcast on December 3, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. ET, offering stakeholders a comprehensive look into its innovation-driven growth strategy, diversified research and development (R&D) pipeline, and the transformative opportunities shaping the next decade of animal health. The event underscored Zoetis’ commitment to addressing unmet medical needs across species while capitalizing on powerful secular trends in pet care, livestock sustainability, and advanced therapeutics.
During the webcast, Zoetis leadership—including CEO Kristin Peck, CFO Wetteny Joseph, and R&D executives Rob Polzer, Ph.D., and incoming R&D President Kevin Esch, D.V.M., M.P.H., Ph.D.—articulated a clear, forward-looking roadmap that positions the company not only as an industry leader today but as the architect of tomorrow’s animal health solutions.
A Market Poised for Exponential Growth
Zoetis began the presentation by contextualizing its strategy within the rapidly expanding global animal health landscape. The company cited projections indicating that the animal health market is on track to nearly double by 2035, reaching an estimated $90 billion in value. This growth is being propelled by several interconnected macro trends: rising global pet ownership, especially in emerging economies; heightened expectations for the standard of veterinary care; increasing consumer and regulatory demand for ethically sourced and sustainable animal protein; and, critically, the growing recognition of animals’ integral role in human well-being, food security, and ecosystem health.
“Animals are not just companions or livestock—they are vital to our economy, our emotional health, and our future food systems,” said Kristin Peck, Chief Executive Officer of Zoetis. “At Zoetis, we see this moment not just as an opportunity, but as a responsibility—to innovate with purpose, to translate cutting-edge science into real-world impact, and to lead the industry into a new era defined by precision, prevention, and personalized care.”
A Diversified, High-Potential R&D Pipeline
Central to Zoetis’ long-term strategy is its robust and strategically balanced R&D pipeline, which spans multiple species—companion animals and livestock alike—and a broad array of therapeutic areas. The company highlighted 12 pipeline candidates with “blockbuster potential,” a testament to its disciplined approach to innovation and commercialization.
Near-term opportunities are anchored in high-need areas such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), oncology, and cardiology—segments historically underserved in veterinary medicine but now experiencing significant clinical and commercial momentum. For example, Zoetis is advancing novel therapeutics for CKD in cats, a condition affecting nearly one in three senior felines and a growing concern for pet owners and veterinarians alike. In oncology, the company is exploring targeted therapies and immuno-oncology platforms tailored to common canine and feline cancers, aiming to improve survival rates and quality of life.
Beyond these emerging frontiers, Zoetis continues to extend the lifecycle of its established franchises. Innovations in osteoarthritis pain management and dermatology—two of its core therapeutic pillars—are being enhanced through next-generation formulations, longer-acting delivery systems, and digital health integrations that support ongoing pet wellness.
Looking further ahead, the company is investing in pioneering science for metabolic and behavioral conditions. Programs in development include novel approaches to managing diabetes and obesity in pets—a reflection of the humanization trend driving demand for more sophisticated chronic disease management—as well as first-in-class therapies for anxiety and other behavioral disorders, areas where effective, safe treatments remain limited.
This multi-horizon pipeline strategy—balancing near-term commercialization, mid-term lifecycle innovation, and long-term platform development—ensures sustainable, profitable growth while mitigating R&D risk.
The Zoetis Innovation Model: Science-to-Scale with Purpose
What truly differentiates Zoetis, according to leadership, is its integrated “science-to-scale” innovation model. This approach connects deep scientific insight with veterinary expertise, robust intellectual property, manufacturing excellence, and world-class commercial execution. Rather than pursuing innovation for its own sake, Zoetis focuses on solving real, high-impact problems: unmet medical needs that affect animal health, productivity, and welfare at scale.
“Our R&D isn’t just about discovery—it’s about delivery,” explained Dr. Rob Polzer, Executive Vice President and President of Research and Development. “We build on validated biological targets, leverage proven platform technologies, and apply rigorous feasibility assessments early in the process. This allows us to de-risk development and significantly increase our probability of regulatory and commercial success.”
This disciplined model has enabled Zoetis to maintain one of the highest R&D productivity rates in the life sciences sector. The company’s ability to consistently translate laboratory breakthroughs into approved, market-ready products—often in therapeutic areas with few or no existing options—has cemented its reputation as the innovation engine of animal health.
Strategic Investments Driving Sustainable Value
Zoetis emphasized that its R&D investments are not only scientifically sound but also financially disciplined. The company continues to generate strong returns on invested capital (ROIC), driven by efficient pipeline execution, geographic expansion, and a track record of successfully monetizing new innovations. With more than $5 billion in total addressable market (TAM) opportunity across its key growth areas—oncology, cardiology, and chronic kidney disease alone—Zoetis sees a clear runway for value creation over the next decade.
CFO Wetteny Joseph reinforced this point, noting that Zoetis’ capital allocation strategy prioritizes high-return R&D projects while maintaining operational agility. “We are investing where we have competitive advantage—where our science, our scale, and our customer relationships give us the best chance to succeed,” she said. “This allows us to fund innovation without compromising profitability or balance sheet strength.”
Moreover, the company’s global footprint provides a powerful platform for scaling new products quickly across diverse markets. Whether launching a new vaccine in Brazil, a dermatology therapeutic in Europe, or a digital health tool in the U.S., Zoetis leverages its integrated commercial infrastructure to maximize reach and impact.
Leadership Transition Signals Continued R&D Momentum
The webcast also marked a significant leadership milestone: Dr. Kevin Esch, currently Chief Scientific Officer, will soon assume the role of Executive Vice President and President of Research and Development, succeeding Dr. Polzer. A board-certified veterinary pathologist with deep expertise in disease biology and drug development, Dr. Esch has played a pivotal role in shaping Zoetis’ scientific strategy over the past decade.
“Kevin’s promotion is a natural evolution of our R&D leadership,” Peck noted. “He embodies the scientific rigor and customer-centric mindset that define our innovation culture. Under his guidance, I’m confident our pipeline will continue to deliver breakthroughs that matter.”
Leading the Next Era of Animal Health
As the webcast concluded, Zoetis leadership reaffirmed the company’s vision: to pioneer solutions that enable more productive and sustainable livestock systems while extending and enhancing the lives of pets worldwide. With a clear understanding of market dynamics, a disciplined innovation engine, and a pipeline teeming with high-impact candidates, Zoetis is uniquely positioned to capture the $90 billion opportunity ahead.
For investors, veterinarians, and animal owners alike, the message was clear: the future of animal health is not just about treating disease—it’s about preventing it, personalizing care, and partnering with science to create a healthier world for all animals.
Webcast Access and Replay
The full Innovation Webcast, along with supporting presentation slides, is available to the public on the Zoetis Investor Relations website at https://investor.zoetis.com/events-presentations. A replay of the event will be accessible following the live session for those unable to attend in real time.
As the animal health sector enters a new chapter of scientific and commercial evolution, Zoetis stands at the forefront—transforming biology into better outcomes, one innovation at a time.
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