BY Fraser Tennant
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Allergan Generics in a $40.5bn transaction.
The acquisition - which some analysts are describing as the largest carried out by an Israeli company - brings together two leading generics businesses with complementary strengths, brands and cultures, and will provide patients with greater access to affordable, quality medicines.
Once the acquisition is complete, Teva, which reported net revenues of $20.3bn in 2014, will become one of the largest drug manufacturers in the world.
To be financed through a combination of new equity, debt financing and cash on hand, upon closing, Allergan will receive $33.75bn in cash and shares of Teva valued today at $6.75bn – an estimated under 10 percent ownership stake in Teva.
“This transaction delivers on Teva’s strategic objectives in both generics and specialty,” said Erez Vigodman, president and CEO of Teva. “Through our acquisition of Allergan Generics, we will establish a strong foundation for long-term, sustainable growth, anchored by leading generics capabilities and a world-class late-stage pipeline that will accelerate our ability to build an exceptional portfolio of products – both in generics and specialty as well as the intersection of the two."
In sharing a commitment to patient safety and quality, Teva and Allergan aim to create a company which will transform the global generics space all over the world.
"This transaction will accelerate Allergan's evolution into a branded Growth Pharma leader, enable a sharpened focus on expanding and enhancing our global branded pharmaceutical business and strengthen our financial position to build on our proven track-record of value creation led by effective capital deployment," said Brent Saunders, CEO and President of the Dublin-based Allergan.
“We will have the potential to add scale in existing therapeutic areas, expand into new therapeutic areas and geographies and evaluate strategic transformational deals as we continue to build on our position as the most dynamic branded growth pharma company.”
The financial advisers for Teva during the transaction were Barclays and Greenhill & Co, while Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Tulchinsky Stern Marciano Cohen Levitski & Co served as legal counsel. For Allergen, J.P. Morgan is acting as sole financial adviser and Latham & Watkins LLP is serving as lead legal adviser.
The Teva/Allergan transaction has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of both companies and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016.
Mr Vigodman concluded: “We look forward to delivering the benefits of this transaction to our stockholders, and better serving patients, customers and healthcare systems throughout the world.”
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