GlaxoSmithKline aims for the whole consumer-health shebang with $10.3B Novartis JV buyout

Fierce Pharma ----- Next March, GlaxoSmithKline will have the option to buy out Novartis’ stake in the pair’s industry-leading consumer health JV. And it may already be getting prepared. The British drugmaker is getting its ducks in a row for an £8 billion ($10.3 billion) offer for its partner’s 36.5% share, top shareholders told The Sunday Times. Industry watchers say Novartis could use the extra dough to help fund a megatakeover—and word is, the potential target is AstraZeneca. GSK declined to comment. The one-two deal punch may seem far-fetched, with Novartis pledging to eschew such enormous mergers. But the GSK consumer JV move lines up with the company's previous statements, and its new CEO, Emma Walmsley, headed up that venture until her promotion in March. To learn more click on the picture below to read the article.