IP Team Advises Novartis on Series of Strategic Transactions Worth $30 Billion

Kaye Scholer recently advised longtime client Novartis Pharmaceuticals on the intellectual property-related aspects of a series of strategic deals totaling $30 billion, including the landmark acquisition of GlaxoSmithKline’s oncology unit for up to $16 billion. In exchange, GSK will acquire Novartis’ vaccine business, excluding its flu products, for up to $7.1 billion, plus royalties. The two companies will also form a joint venture in consumer healthcare products, combining Novartis’ over-the-counter pharmaceuticals business with GSK’s consumer operations.

In addition to the GSK deals, Novartis announced the sale of its animal health unit to Eli Lilly & Co. for $5.2 billion. All of these transactions are designed to strategically overhaul Novartis’ operations in order to focus on its most valuable businesses moving forward.

The Kaye Scholer team advising Novartis was led by Partner David Barr and included Partner Andres Liivak, Counsel Tatiana Alyonycheva and Associates Abby Langsam, Katie O’Brien, Jeff Martin and Phil Smithback.