Pfizer and GSK Announce Joint Venture to Create a Premier Global Consumer Healthcare Company

Pfizer Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline plc announced that they have entered into an agreement to create a premier global consumer healthcare company with robust iconic brands. The Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction under which Pfizer will contribute its consumer healthcare business to GlaxoSmithKline’s existing consumer healthcare business. The 2017 global sales for the combined business were approximately $12.7 billion.

“We are pleased to announce this new joint venture for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, delivering on our commitment to complete the strategic review for this business in 2018,” stated Ian Read, Chairman and current Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer. “Pfizer and GSK have an excellent track record of creating successful collaborations, and we look forward to working together again to unlock the potential of our combined consumer healthcare businesses.”

Under the terms of the transaction, Pfizer will receive a 32% equity stake in the joint venture, entitling Pfizer to its pro rata share of the joint venture’s earnings and dividends, which will be paid on a quarterly basis. Pfizer will have the right to appoint three out of the nine members of the joint venture’s board. The transaction is expected to deliver $650 million in peak cost synergies and to be slightly accretive for Pfizer in each of the first three years after the close of the transaction, which is anticipated during the second half of 2019, subject to receipt of GSK shareholder approval and regulatory approvals, and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

As Pfizer will own less than 50% of the joint venture, Pfizer anticipates deconsolidating Pfizer Consumer Healthcare from its financial statements following the closing of the transaction. In the near- to medium-term, this deconsolidation is not expected to have a material impact on Pfizer’s top-line growth. In addition, given the Consumer Healthcare business records lower margins than Pfizer’s other businesses, the deconsolidation is expected to have a slight positive impact on Pfizer’s operating margins over the next several years.

Following the integration of the combined business, GSK intends to separate the joint venture as an independent company via a demerger of its equity interest to its shareholders and a listing of the Consumer Healthcare business on the UK equity market. GSK will have the sole right to decide whether and when to initiate a separation and listing for a period of five years from closing of the proposed transaction. GSK may also sell all or part of its stake in the joint venture in a contemporaneous IPO.

Should a separation and listing occur during the first five years after closing, Pfizer has the option to participate through the distribution of its equity interest in the joint venture to its shareholders or the sale of its equity interest in a contemporaneous IPO. After the fifth anniversary of the closing of the proposed transaction, both GSK and Pfizer will have the right to decide whether and when to initiate a separation and public listing of the joint venture.

“The combination of these leading businesses with distinct regional and category strengths will be more sustainable and broader in scope than either company individually,” said Albert Bourla, Chief Operating Officer and incoming Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer. “We believe that this joint venture is a great opportunity to ensure the future success of Pfizer Consumer Healthcare while unlocking meaningful after-tax value for Pfizer shareholders.”

The joint venture will be a category leader in pain relief, respiratory, vitamin and mineral supplements, digestive health, skin health and therapeutic oral health and will be the largest global consumer healthcare business. In addition, the joint venture is expected to be the first or second largest consumer healthcare player in key geographies, including the United States, Europe, China, India and Australasia. The joint venture will operate globally under the GSK Consumer Healthcare name.

“The transaction is a testament to the success of our Consumer Healthcare business, including its excellent reputation, talented colleagues, high-quality products and market reach,” said Chris Slager, President, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare. “The dedication and hard work of the Pfizer Consumer Healthcare team is impressive and inspiring. I am proud of our colleagues around the world who are passionate about the success of this business and the important role it plays in empowering consumers to take health and wellness into their own hands.”

Emma Walmsley, GSK CEO, will be Chair of the new joint venture. Brian McNamara, currently CEO GSK Consumer Healthcare, will be CEO of the new joint venture and Tobias Hestler, currently CFO GSK Consumer Healthcare, will be CFO.

Until separation, the joint venture will be consolidated in GSK’s financial statements.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Pfizer Consumer Healthcare business recorded revenues of approximately $3.5 billion and the GSK Consumer Healthcare business recorded revenues of approximately $9.2 billion.

GSK has agreed to pay a break fee of $900 million if (i) the GSK Board of Directors changes, withdraws or qualifies its recommendation of the transaction to its shareholders for approval; (ii) GSK’s shareholders vote on the proposed transaction and do not approve it; or (iii) GSK’s shareholders do not approve the proposed transaction by September 30, 2019 (subject to extension in certain circumstances).

Centerview Partners LLC, Guggenheim Securities, LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as Pfizer’s financial advisors, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, and Clifford Chance LLP served as its legal advisors, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP served as its tax advisor.