GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) will buy Novartis's (NYSE: NVS) 36.5% stake in their consumer health-care joint venture for $13.0 billion in cash, the partners said on Tuesday.
The deal is set to complete in the second quarter subject to the necessary approvals.
GSK said the transaction with Novartis was expected to add to adjusted earnings from 2018 and to strengthen cash flow generation.
It said it would also start a strategic review of Horlicks and other consumer nutrition products. The review will include an assessment of its shareholding in Indian subsidiary GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Ltd.
The joint venture was formed in 2015 as part of a sweeping revamp that included combining the Novartis over-the-counter business with the GSK consumer health-care business.
Products include Panadol headache tablets, muscle gel Voltaren, and Nicotinell patches used by smokers who want to quit their habit.
"While our consumer healthcare joint venture with GSK is progressing well, the time is right for Novartis to divest a non-core asset at an attractive price," Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan said.
GlaxoSmithKline last week quit the race to buy Pfizer's consumer healthcare business, endangering an auction the U.S. drugmaker hoped would bring in as much as $20 billion.
GSK’s biggest move since Emma Walmsley became chief executive last year follows the British drug maker’s decision last week to quit the race to buy Pfizer’s consumer healthcare business, endangering an auction the U.S. company hoped would bring in as much as $20 billion.
GSK shares in New York hiked $1.36, or 3.6%, to $38.79, while Novartis shares gained 49 cents to $80.17
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