GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has terminated its collaboration in Sub-Saharan Africa with Aspen Pharmacare Holdings, a pharmaceutical company based in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and certain of Aspen’s subsidiaries, in one of a series of agreements with Aspen that GSK has closed. In addition, Aspen has exercised its option to acquire GSK’s remaining thrombosis business in certain retained markets.

The companies initially announced their intent to end the Sub-Saharan Africa collaboration in September 2016. This transaction aligns with GSK’s strategy to simplify its business by focusing on core therapeutic areas. Both parties will continue to commercialize their own respective portfolios in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.

In 2013, GSK divested its thrombosis portfolio to Aspen, but retained ownership of the franchise in certain territories. These “retained markets” are defined as China, including Hong Kong and Macau, India, and Pakistan. Aspen has now exercised an existing option to acquire the retained markets. The net impact of the termination of the Sub-Saharan Africa collaboration and divestment of the thrombosis portfolio in the retained markets is not material to GSK.

As announced in September, GSK also agreed to divest its anesthesia portfolio, consisting of Ultiva (remifentanil), Nimbex (cisatracurium besylate), Tracrium (atracurium besylate), Mivacron (mivacurium chloride), and Anectine (succinylcholine chloride) in all countries (excluding the US and Canada, which had been previously divested) for an upfront payment of £180 million ($221 million) plus milestone payments of up to £100 million ($123 million). This deal is subject to anti-trust and regulatory clearances.

The collaboration between GSK and Aspen in South Africa remains in place.

Source: GlaxoSmithKline