South African generics manufacturer to buy 11 drug brands and an API business from the US drugmaker

Aspen, the South African generic drugs manufacturer, has announced a $1 billion (£0.66 billion) deal with US drugmaker Merck & Co. The deal, which is subject to the approval of various competition authorities, involves 11 of Merck’s drug brands and an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) business in the Netherlands. The acquisition of the API manufacturer has been prompted in part by Aspen’s negotiations with GlaxoSmithKline for its thrombosis drugs, one of which, Fraxiparine (nadroparin), contains heparin, which is made by the API business.

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