GSK Extends Strategic Collaboration with Aspen
Want to listen to this article for FREE?
Complete the form below to unlock access to ALL audio articles.
Read time: 1 minute
GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) has announced that it has agreed to extend its strategic relationship with Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (Aspen) and to acquire a 16% shareholding in the South African based pharmaceuticals company. This is part of a wide ranging agreement which includes combining commercial activities in Sub-Saharan Africa and the divestment of several assets to Aspen.
Abbas Hussain, President Emerging Markets, GlaxoSmithKline said: "Extending our strategic relationship with Aspen supports GSK's strategy to accelerate sales growth in emerging markets. The combination of our commercial activities in Sub-Saharan Africa is highly complementary and will mean that together we can provide more medicines of value to more patients in these countries. At the same time, GSK will also benefit from investing in one of Africa's leading healthcare companies with a formidable track record of delivery."
On completion, Aspen will issue 68.5 million new shares as non-cash consideration to GSK in exchange for the transfer of several assets. These shares will be equivalent to a 16% shareholding in the company; and Aspen has a current total market capitalization value of 1.4 billion pounds Sterling. As part of the agreement and on closure of the transaction, Aspen will appoint a non-executive director, nominated by GSK, to its Board of Directors.
Specialist products and manufacturing facility divested to Aspen.
GSK will divest eight specialist medicines to Aspen and a manufacturing facility located in Bad Oldesloe, Germany. The products to be divested are Alkeran (excluding US), Kemadrin, Lanvis, Leukeran, Myleran, Purinethol, Septrin and Trandate. Combined sales of these products were 56 million pounds Sterling in 2008. The Bad Oldesloe manufacturing site produces some of the products to be divested and a number of other products previously acquired by Aspen from GSK in June 2008.
These divestments reflect GSK's strategy to simplify its operations and divest certain products which can be commercialized by other parties.
Abbas Hussain, President Emerging Markets, GlaxoSmithKline said: "Extending our strategic relationship with Aspen supports GSK's strategy to accelerate sales growth in emerging markets. The combination of our commercial activities in Sub-Saharan Africa is highly complementary and will mean that together we can provide more medicines of value to more patients in these countries. At the same time, GSK will also benefit from investing in one of Africa's leading healthcare companies with a formidable track record of delivery."
On completion, Aspen will issue 68.5 million new shares as non-cash consideration to GSK in exchange for the transfer of several assets. These shares will be equivalent to a 16% shareholding in the company; and Aspen has a current total market capitalization value of 1.4 billion pounds Sterling. As part of the agreement and on closure of the transaction, Aspen will appoint a non-executive director, nominated by GSK, to its Board of Directors.
Specialist products and manufacturing facility divested to Aspen.
GSK will divest eight specialist medicines to Aspen and a manufacturing facility located in Bad Oldesloe, Germany. The products to be divested are Alkeran (excluding US), Kemadrin, Lanvis, Leukeran, Myleran, Purinethol, Septrin and Trandate. Combined sales of these products were 56 million pounds Sterling in 2008. The Bad Oldesloe manufacturing site produces some of the products to be divested and a number of other products previously acquired by Aspen from GSK in June 2008.
These divestments reflect GSK's strategy to simplify its operations and divest certain products which can be commercialized by other parties.
