Johnson & Johnson plans to buy pharma group Actelion for $30bn
The deal between the world's biggest producer of healthcare goods and Actelion, a leader in medicines treating high blood pressure, will create a new Swiss-listed firm called R&D NewCo focusing on the research and development of new drugs, the two companies said in a joint statement.
Johnson & Johnson will acquire all the outstanding shares of Actelion for $280 per share in a deal approved by the boards of both companies, with the tender offer to start by mid-February.
Actelion CEO, Jean-Paul Clozel, said the new R&D company would "allow us to continue with our successful culture of innovation", while Johnson & Johnson's CEO and chairman, Alex Gorsky, said in a statement that the acquisition of Actelion offered "compelling value" to shareholders in both companies.
"The addition of Actelion's specialty in-market medicines and late-stage products is consistent with Johnson & Johnson's efforts to grow in attractive and complementary therapeutic areas and serve patients with serious illnesses and significant unmet medical need," Gorsky said.
"In addition, the transaction structure will provide Johnson & Johnson flexibility to accelerate investment in its industry-leading, innovative pipeline to drive additional growth."
Clozel will establish the new R&D company, which will initially be 16% owned by the US giant with the option of acquiring another 16%.
Johnson & Johnson has some 127,000 employees, operating the world's biggest medical device business as well as a huge pharmaceutical and consumer products wing that covers everything from baby products to band-aids.
Source: I-Net Bridge
For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.
We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.
Go to: http://www.inet.co.za