Pharma BD Deal Intelligence

Glaxo plc / Wellcome plc

1995 · Acquisition/Merger · $14.2B · Complete

CALLED IT — OFF BY 11
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Top 5 largest deals of the 1990s

Ranks computed across 828 graded deals (Critic + Outcome Score both present).

The coverage arc

Jan 24, 1995 The Spokesman-Review Bullish

Sir Richard Sykes stated we want to lead in this process not be carried along by it as Glaxo sought to address the looming expiry of its blockbuster Zantac…

Jan 24, 1995 The Washington Post Neutral

The $14 billion cash and stock offer was 49% higher than closing price of Wellcome shares and seemed designed to discourage any competing bids according to…

Jun 20, 1995 Federal Trade Commission Neutral

The FTC reviewed the proposed merger of Glaxo plc and Wellcome plc, addressing competitive concerns in the market for anti-migraine and anti-emetic drugs.

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Glaxo acquired Wellcome plc for approximately £9 billion (~$14.2B), creating Glaxo Wellcome plc, then the world's largest pharmaceutical company. The deal was driven by Glaxo's need to diversify beyond Zantac as its patent expiry loomed.

Key facts

Related deals — scored

DealYearValueOutcome
Glaxo plc / Wellcome plc (this deal)1995$14.2B61
Pfizer Inc. / BioNTech SE2020$748M100
Gilead Sciences Inc. / Pharmasset Inc.2011$11.2B98
Abbott Laboratories / Alere Inc.2016$5.8B95
bioMerieux SA / BioFire Diagnostics Inc.2013$485M88
Roche Holding AG / Ventana Medical Systems Inc.2008$3.4B88
AstraZeneca PLC / MedImmune Inc.2007$15.6B82

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