Actavis Announces Agreement with Aurobindo Pharma Limited to Divest Commercial Operations in Seven Western European Countries

DUBLIN, Jan. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Actavis plc (NYSE: ACT) today announced that it intends to enter into an agreement for Aurobindo Pharma Limited (BSE: 524804) to acquire Actavis' generics commercial operations in seven markets in Western Europe.  The transaction is conditional on certain antitrust approvals and completion of employee consultation processes. 

Aurobindo would acquire Actavis' pharmaceutical commercial infrastructure in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, including products, marketing authorizations and dossier license rights. The two companies would also enter into a long-term strategic supply arrangement.

"We believe that the value created by the commercial operations in these seven markets will be better maximized by Aurobindo, which will gain scale, additional products and enhanced competitive market share position as a result of this transaction," said Sigurdur Oli Olafsson, President, Actavis Pharma.  "This transaction will permit Actavis to focus management time and resources to support accelerated investment in driving faster growth of other markets, including Central and Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia."

Until the transaction is completed, Actavis will continue to operate the commercial businesses in a business-as-usual mode, providing full support to manage the business, introduce new products and maximize its partnership with customers.

Rothschild and Latham & Watkins acted as sole financial adviser and legal counsel to Actavis, respectively.  Jefferies International Limited acted as sole financial advisor and Herbert Smith Freehills LLP acted as legal counsel to Aurobindo.

About Actavis
Actavis plc (NYSE: ACT) is a global, integrated specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing, manufacturing and distributing generic, brand and biosimilar products.  Actavis has global headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and U.S. administrative headquarters in Parsippany, New Jersey, USA. 

Actavis markets generic, branded generic, legacy brands and Over-the-Counter (OTC) products in more than 60 countries, and operates a global branded specialty pharmaceutical business focused in the Women's Health, Urology, Gastroenterology and Dermatology therapeutic categories.  Actavis also has a portfolio of five biosimilar products in development in Women's Health and Oncology.  Actavis Global Operations has more than 30 manufacturing and distribution facilities around the world, and includes Anda, Inc., a U.S. pharmaceutical product distributor.

For press release and other company information, visit Actavis' Web site at http://www.actavis.com.

About Aurobindo
Aurobindo Pharma Limited (www.aurobindo.com), headquartered at Hyderabad, India, manufactures generic pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The company's manufacturing facilities are approved by several leading regulatory agencies like US FDA, UK MHRA, WHO, Health Canada, MCC South Africa, ANVISA Brazil. The company's robust product portfolio is spread over 6 major therapeutic/product areas encompassing Antibiotics, Anti-Retrovirals, CVS, CNS, Gastroenterologicals, and Anti-Allergics, supported by an outstanding R&D set-up. The Company is marketing these products globally, in over 125 countries.

Aurobindo Europe represents a significant segment within the Group's global presence. Aurobindo is committed to grow its operations in Europe considering the importance of the generic market. Since launching its European commercial operations in 2006 with the acquisition of Milpharm in the UK and Pharmacin in the Netherlands in 2007,  Aurobindo has further expanded its footprint in continental Europe by commencing operations in several territories including (but not limited to) Italy, Spain, Portugal, Romania, Malta and Germany. Aurobindo's state of the art EU release lab and captive warehouse in Malta serves as a logistics centre for its European operations.

Actavis Forward-Looking Statement
Any statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Actavis' current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of this release. Forward looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "could," "should," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "outlook," "guidance," "intend," "may," "might," "will," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," or other similar words, phrases or expressions. Such forward looking statements include those related to the potential completion and impact of the Aurobindo transaction.  Except as expressly required by law, Actavis disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from Actavis' current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Actavis' business. These factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainty associated with financial projections; restructuring in connection with, and successful close of, the pending transaction with Aurobindo; the receipt of required regulatory approvals for the transaction (including the approval of antitrust authorities necessary to complete the acquisition); the successful completion of required employee consultation processes; risks of fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates; changes in generally accepted accounting principles; risks that the carrying values of assets may be negatively impacted by future events and circumstances; the impact of competitive products and pricing; market acceptance of and continued demand for Actavis' products; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of regulatory agency approvals or actions, if any; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in Actavis' periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Actavis' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 and from time to time in Actavis' other investor communications. Except as expressly required by law, Actavis disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130124/NY47381LOGO )

SOURCE Actavis plc