Neogen Corporation

In 1982, an idea took root at Michigan State University to commercialize scientific innovations. This led to the creation of Neogen Corporation, founded by James L. Herbert and Herbert D. "Ted" Doan. They started with a small team in Lansing, Michigan, aiming to build a biotechnology presence in the state and find real-world applications for new science. The company focused on the then-overlooked areas of food and animal safety. Neogen develops and markets test kits and services to detect everything from foodborne bacteria and natural toxins to drug residues in animals. The business is structured into two main segments: Food Safety and Animal Safety. This clear focus allowed them to build a comprehensive product line serving customers from the farm to the fork. Neogen went public with an IPO on the NASDAQ in August 1989, securing its future growth. A pivotal moment in the company's journey came in 2022, when it completed a major merger with 3M's food safety business. This transaction, valued at approximately $5.3 billion, nearly doubled the size of Neogen and created a global leader in food safety by combining their product offerings and geographic reach. Today, Neogen stands as a major player in ensuring the safety of the world's food supply.