GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has decided to divest its anesthesia portfolio to Aspen Pharma, based in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, for £180 million ($240 million) plus milestones of up to £100 million ($133 million). In addition to this divestment, GSK and Aspen have entered into parallel agreements to terminate their collaboration in Sub-Saharan Africa and for Aspen to exercise its option to acquire GSK’s remaining thrombosis business in certain retained markets. The agreements are subject to the relevant anti-trust and regulatory clearances.

GSK’s anesthesia portfolio consists of Ultiva (remifentanil), Nimbex (cisatracurium besylate), Tracrium (atracurium besylate), Mivacron (mivacurium chloride), and Anectine (succinylcholine chloride). GSK previously divested this business in the US and Canada, so it no longer commercializes the products in these countries.

Following termination of the current collaboration between GSK and Aspen across Sub-Saharan Africa, both parties will continue to commercialize their own respective portfolios in the region. The collaboration between GSK and Aspen in South Africa remains in place.

In 2013, GSK divested its thrombosis portfolio to Aspen, but retained ownership of the franchise in certain regions known as retained markets, which includes China, India, and Pakistan. Aspen has now exercised the existing option to acquire the retained markets.

Source: GlaxoSmithKline