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Novartis to sell animal health division
Novartis
Novartis will sell its animal health division and vaccines business, excluding flu.

Top drug companies strike multi-billion dollar deal

Leading drug company Novartis has announced it will sell off its animal health division to Eli Lilly and Company for $5.4 billion.

In a separate transaction, Novartis has struck a multi-billion dollar deal with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to exchange assets and launch a joint venture. Novartis will acquire GSK oncology products for $16 billion.  

The company will also sell its vaccines business, except the flu unit, to GSK for $7.1 billion.

Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis, said this marks a "transformational moment" for the company. "We believe the divestment of our smaller vaccines and animal health divisions will enable us to realise immediate value from these businesses for our shareholders," he said.

"Those divisions will benefit from being part of large, global businesses that are also leaders in their segments.

"Patients will benefit from even higher levels of innovation that this focus may afford. Looking ahead, this positions Novartis well for future healthcare industry dynamics."

A joint venture will see the combination of Novartis' over-the-counter unit and GSK Consumer Healthcare, with the aim of creating a world-leading consumer healthcare business. Annual sales are expected to reach around $6.5 billion.

GSK said the transactions will boost the company's annual revenues by £1.3 billion to £26.9 billion.

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.