Auckland, New Zealand: MACSO, a New Zealand-headquartered innovator in artificial intelligence and sensor fusion, has announced an exclusive strategic partnership with Virbac, a global leader in animal health. Under the agreement, Virbac has secured exclusive distribution rights for MACSO’s breakthrough AI swine health monitoring technology across its extensive network in Europe, Latin America, and Asia (excluding Australia, China, and the United States).
Revolutionising Swine Health with AI
Respiratory diseases represent a significant threat to global swine production, accounting for up to 60% of deaths worldwide. MACSO’s technology transforms traditional, often reactive detection methods by utilizing advanced environmental and audio-based AI to “listen” for early signs of illness.
Key performance metrics of the technology include:
Early Detection: Proven to detect respiratory distress between 16 hours and 6 days before clinical symptoms are audible to the human ear.
Comprehensive Monitoring: Provides 24/7 analysis of acoustics, temperature, and humidity.
Improved Outcomes: Reduces animal mortality rates and improves feed conversion rates.
Sustainability: Supports the reduction of unnecessary antibiotic use and lowers the carbon footprint of livestock production by preventing animal losses.
Christian Burkhardt, Head of Corporate Business Development of Virbac says about the deal, "This partnership brings a digital 'sixth sense' to the stable, allowing us to detect the invisible days before it becomes inevitable. By integrating MACSO’s advanced AI into our Suigen Range, we are delivering on our 'One Health' commitment to improve animal welfare while promoting the responsible use of antibiotics through precise, data-driven intervention.”
“We are incredibly excited to partner with Virbac, a company that shares our vision for the future of farming and the role of AI as a force for good,” said Saba Samiei, Founder and CEO of MACSO Technologies.
“Together, we are enabling a shift toward more proactive, data-driven care that improves animal welfare, supports farmers, and builds a more resilient and responsible food system.”
A Milestone for New Zealand Innovation
This multi-year, multinational partnership includes a future roadmap for the co-development of additional capabilities. For MACSO, the collaboration leverages Virbac’s global reach and animal health expertise to scale its New Zealand-grown technology at an unprecedented pace.
Saum Vahdat, CEO of Bridgewest Ventures New Zealand (MACSO’s lead investor), noted the significance of the deal for the sector: “This collaboration marks one of the earliest and most impactful forays of advanced AI into animal health. Through this alliance, MACSO’s cutting-edge technology will propel forward, delivering accelerated real-world impact and advancing more resilient, responsible food systems worldwide.”
The technology also helps address critical industry challenges, such as ongoing labor and skilled workforce shortages on farms, by enabling more efficient, data-driven management.
About MACSO Technologies
MACSO is a VC backed Auckland-based technology company specialising in AI and sensor fusion for precision animal health. The company develops advanced edge-computing AI that processes complex environmental data to deliver actionable insights for the agriculture sector. Their first commercialised solution focuses on swine health, aiming to reduce mortality and antibiotic use while improving efficiency. MACSO also offers consultancy services to help animal health organisations leverage data and AI. More information: www.MACSO.ai
About Virbac
Virbac is a global animal health company dedicated to preventing, diagnosing, and treating animal pathologies. They offer a comprehensive range of care, hygiene, and nutrition products for veterinarians, farmers, and pet owners worldwide. More information: corporate.virbac.com
