Aspen buys MSD factory for R10,6bn

Agreement has also been reached for the API business on an option to acquire a portfolio of 11 branded finished dose form molecules from MSD, covering a diverse range of therapeutic areas and including products that use APIs manufactured by the API Business.

Stephen Saad‚ Aspen's chief executive‚ said: "One of Aspen's primary strategic intents is to globalise its business‚ increase its representation across a number of additional territories and provide support to its growing global presence with a differentiated pipeline of products. This transaction provides a platform to contribute to the achievement of this strategic goal by enabling Aspen to access a niche range of APIs and finished dosage products."

The transaction‚ which is subject to conditions precedent‚ is valued at US$1bn.

MSD is known as Merck in the US and Canada.