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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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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.