US generic drugmaker Actavis (formerly Watson) and Irish drugmaker Warner Chilcott announced on 20 May 2013 that the two companies had entered into a definitive agreement under which Actavis will acquire Warner Chilcott in a stock-for-stock transaction valued at approximately US$8.5 billion.
Actavis makes definitive agreement with Warner Chilcott
Home/Pharma News | Posted 24/05/2013 0 Post your comment
If completed, the transaction will create a company with approximately US$11 billion in combined annual revenue, and the third largest US specialty pharmaceutical company with approximately US$3 billion in annual revenues focused on core therapeutic categories of women’s health, gastroenterology, urology and dermatology. The proposed transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both Actavis and Warner Chilcott and is supported by the management teams of both companies. Under the deal, Warner Chilcott shareholders will receive 0.16 shares in Actavis for each share they own, equivalent to US$20.08 per share.
The merger will create a ‘powerful global competitor … with an exceptionally strong balance sheet’ and perhaps more importantly ‘a favourable tax structure to support future growth’, according to Mr Paul Bisaro, President and CEO of Actavis. The deal will reduce Actavis’ tax bill, with the Irish company having a lower tax rate and is expected to save Actavis more than US$400 million in after-tax operational synergies and related cost reductions and tax savings in 2014/2015.
Recently, Actavis has also been the subject of takeover offers from Mylan and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, with the latest approach rumoured to be coming from pharma giant Novartis, which is said to be offering US$16 billion for the generics maker.
Related article
Actavis in discussions to buy Warner Chilcott
Permission granted to reproduce for personal and non-commercial use only. All other reproduction, copy or reprinting of all or part of any ‘Content’ found on this website is strictly prohibited without the prior consent of the publisher. Contact the publisher to obtain permission before redistributing.
Copyright – Unless otherwise stated all contents of this website are © 2013 Pro Pharma Communications International. All Rights Reserved.
Source: Actavis, WSJ
Guidelines
Regulatory update for post-registration of biological products in Brazil
New regulations in Brazil for the registration of biosimilars
Policies & Legislation
NPRA Malaysia trials new timelines for variation applications
Regulatory evolution and impact of simplified requirements for interchangeable biosimilars in the US
Most viewed articles
The best selling biotechnology drugs of 2008: the next biosimilars targets
Global biosimilars guideline development – EGA’s perspective
Related content
Meitheal expands portfolio with three biosimilars through exclusive US licensing agreement
EMS proposes merger with Hypera to form Brazil's largest drugmaker
Bio-Thera and Gedeon Richter partner to commercialize Stelara biosimilar BAT2206
Advances for Biocon Biologics’ Stelara and Eylea biosimilars
Comments (0)
Post your comment