Candy pet food giant Mars buying Heska for 13B

LOVELAND — In a deal valued at $1.3 billion, veterinary products supplier Heska Corp. (Nasdaq: HSKA) has agreed to be acquired by Mars Inc., the privately held parent company behind candy and pet-food brands such as M&M’s and Pedigree. The deal, expected to close in the second half of the year, is meant to bolster Mars’ animal-diagnostics business. Mars will pay $120 per Heska share, a premium of nearly 40% over the Loveland firm’s average trading price over the past two months. “Upon transaction close, Heska will join Mars Petcare, a purpose-driven global business serving pets and pet owners through…