Novartis reorganises product portfolio in deals with GSK and Eli Lilly

Novartis announced that it has reached a definitive agreement with GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) to exchange certain assets, building global leadership in key segments and focusing the company's portfolio. Under the agreement, Novartis would strengthen the company's innovative pharmaceuticals business by acquiring GSK oncology products, and would divest Vaccines (excluding flu) to them. The two companies would also create a joint venture, combining their consumer divisions to create a world-leading consumer healthcare business. Separately, the company announced a definitive agreement with Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) to divest the Animal Health Division, further focusing its portfolio on the leading businesses of innovative pharmaceuticals, eye care and generics. Novartis has agreed to acquire GSK oncology products for a $ 14.5 billion payment and up to $ 1.5 billion contingent on a development milestone. Under the terms of the transaction, Novartis would have opt-in rights to GSK's current and future oncology R&D pipeline. Novartis has agreed to divest its Vaccines business to GSK, currently excluding its flu business, for $ 7.1 billion plus royalties. The $ 7.1 billion consists of $ 5.25 billion upfront and up to $ 1.8 billion in milestones. As a part of a value-maximization strategy in the context of the portfolio review, Novartis has initiated a separate sales process for its flu business. Novartis and GSK have agreed to create a world-leading consumer healthcare business through a joint venture between Novartis OTC and GSK Consumer Healthcare. Upon completion, Novartis will own a 36.5% share of the joint venture and will have four of eleven seats on the joint venture's Board. Furthermore, Novartis will have customary minority rights and exit rights at a pre-defined, market-based pricing mechanism. In a separate transaction, Novartis has agreed to divest its Animal Health Division to Lilly for approximately USD 5.4 billion. This transaction is the result of a competitive process, which upon completion would create a leading animal health business under Lilly's ownership and would optimize the value of the asset in the interest of Novartis shareholders.