Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ: VTRS) has closed its transaction with Biocon Biologics Limited, creating what Viatris expects to be a unique fully vertically integrated global biosimilars leader. Viatris and Biocon Biologics have entered a Transition Services Agreement pursuant to which Viatris will provide commercialization and certain other transition services for an expected two-year period intended to ensure business continuity for patients, customers and colleagues. Upon the completion of the transition services, Biocon Biologics will assume responsibility of commercial, regulatory and other related services.
Viatris Executive Chairman Robert J. Coury said: "Today is a very exciting day in the continued evolution of Viatris. The closing today of the Biocon Biologics transaction represents the completion of the first in a series of achievements against the number of initiatives we laid out recently in our strategic update on Nov. 7 as part of our well-defined plan for Viatris. While we will continue to further execute against this plan, we also look forward as now a significant shareholder of Biocon Biologics to supporting Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson of Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics, and her team to optimize the value of Biocon Biologics."
Viatris President Rajiv Malik said: "The closing of our biosimilars transaction with Biocon Biologics marks the next natural step in the evolution of our collaboration together. We are deeply committed to doing our part in helping Biocon Biologics succeed in the creation of what we believe will be a true global, vertically integrated biosimilars leader. As we look to Viatris' future, we are also excited to focus our energy, resources and efforts on executing our own strategy of moving up the value chain and providing access to more complex and novel products."
Under the terms of the transaction agreement, Viatris received $3 billion in consideration in the form of a $2 billion cash payment and $1 billion of convertible preferred equity representing a stake of at least 12.9 % (on a fully diluted basis) in Biocon Biologics. Viatris also is entitled to $335 million of additional cash payments in 2024.
