Content about Acquisition

December 18, 2012

Drug maker Merz Pharmaceuticals is suing Par Pharmaceutical over the latter's attempt to market a generic drug for cerebral palsy patients, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Drug maker Merz Pharmaceuticals is suing Par Pharmaceutical over the latter's attempt to market a generic drug for cerebral palsy patients, according to published reports.

Bloomberg reported that Merz sued Par in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware after Par attempted to apply for Food and Drug Administration approval for a generic version of Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) oral solution, used to treat severe drooling in cerebral palsy patients.

The drug received FDA approval this year, and Merz bought rights to the drug in August.

December 18, 2012

The Vitamin Shoppe will buy a Pacific Northwest-based supplement chain, the New Jersey-based company said.

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — The Vitamin Shoppe will buy a Pacific Northwest-based supplement chain, the New Jersey-based company said.

The Vitamin Shoppe said it would buy Super Supplements for $50 million. Super Supplements operates 31 stores in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, and the Vitamin Shoppe said the acquisition would expand its presence in the Northwest, where it already operates 17 stores. The transaction is expected to close on Dec. 31.

December 18, 2012

PepsiCo's Tropicana brand is introducing a new way for moms to sneak veggies into their kids' diets: Farmstand, a fruit-and-vegetable drink to hit the refrigerated section of supermarkets in January.

PepsiCo's Tropicana brand is introducing a new way for moms to sneak veggies into their kids' diets: Farmstand, a fruit-and-vegetable drink to hit the refrigerated section of supermarkets in January.

December 17, 2012

Japanese drug maker Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. is selling its generics business to India-based Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Takeda said.

OSAKA, Japan — Japanese drug maker Takeda Pharmaceutical is selling its generics business to India-based Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Takeda said Monday.

Takeda said it would sell URL Pharma, through U.S. subsidiary Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, to Sun subsidiary Caraco Pharmaceutical Labs while retaining control of the gout treatment Colcrys (colchicine). Takeda acquired rights to Colcrys when it bought URL Pharma for $800 million in June 2012; financial terms of the current deal with Caraco were not disclosed.

December 11, 2012

Biotech and vaccines company Nuron Biotech has bought rights from Pfizer for a vaccine to prevent infection by a bacteria that is a major cause of infectious disease around the world.

EXTON, Pa. — Biotech and vaccines company Nuron Biotech has bought rights from Pfizer for a vaccine to prevent infection by a bacteria that is a major cause of infectious disease around the world.

December 10, 2012

The Jean Coutu Group recently announced that it is acquiring a 50% stake in Le Groupe Médicus, which specializes in orthotic and prosthetic devices.

LONGUEUIL, Quebec — The Jean Coutu Group recently announced that it is acquiring a 50% stake in Le Groupe Médicus, which specializes in orthotic and prosthetic devices.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 1957 by Jean-Claude Bleau, Médicus is a private-sector employer of orthotist and prosthetist graduates in Quebec and specializes in orthotic and prosthetic devices and rehabilitation products by completing the multidisciplinary treatment plan.

December 7, 2012

CVS Caremark is reportedly looking to expand outside of the United States by acquiring Onofre, the eighth-largest pharmacy chain in Brazil, according to published reports.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark is reportedly looking to expand outside of the United States by acquiring Onofre, the eighth-largest pharmacy chain in Brazil, according to published reports.

The Valor Economico newspaper reported that CVS Caremark plans to pay $313 million to acquire an 80% stake in Onofre and will also assume the company's debt.

“We don’t comment on market rumors,” CVS Caremark spokesman Mike DeAngelis told Drug Store News.

December 5, 2012

Walgreens last month acquired UCH Pharmaceutical Services, an independent retail pharmacy based in Indiana, the company that helped broker the deal announced Wednesday.

ADDISON, Texas — Walgreens last month acquired UCH Pharmaceutical Services, an independent retail pharmacy based in Indiana, the company that helped broker the deal announced Wednesday. 

UCH is an independent retail pharmacy that provided specialty compounding services throughout Grant County, Ind. 

The Transition Companies acted as UCH’s sole M&A advisor for this transaction, which closed in November 2012.

 

 

December 3, 2012

Dean Foods has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Morningstar Foods division to Saputo for $1.45 billion.

DALLAS — Dean Foods has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Morningstar Foods division to Saputo for $1.45 billion.

Morningstar Foods is a manufacturer of dairy and nondairy extended-shelf-life and cultured products, including creams and creamers, ice cream mixes, whipping cream, aerosol whipped toppings, iced coffee, half and half, value-added milks, sour cream and cottage cheese.

November 29, 2012

It’s a marriage of industry icons. In June, Walgreens finally made a long-awaited leap across the Atlantic to acquire British-based Alliance Boots, one of the world’s premier retailers of pharmaceuticals, health and beauty aids, and beauty care products. 


It’s a marriage of industry icons. In June, Walgreens finally made a long-awaited leap across the Atlantic to acquire British-based Alliance Boots, one of the world’s premier retailers of pharmaceuticals, health and beauty aids, and beauty care products. 


November 29, 2012

Watson Pharmaceuticals is changing its name to Actavis following its acquisition of the Swiss drug maker, Watson said.

Watson to change brand in 2013
PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals is changing its name to Actavis following its acquisition of the Swiss drug maker, Watson said. Watson, whose $5.6 billion acquisition of Actavis received approval from the Federal Trade Commission in October, said it would adopt the new name starting in 2013, with plans to start a multi-year rebranding campaign and trade under a new symbol on the New York Stock Exchange.


November 29, 2012

Not Your Mother’s hair care is further expanding its distribution by adding Ricky’s NYC to its retail mix.


SUPPLIER NEWS — Not Your Mother’s hair care is further expanding its distribution by adding Ricky’s NYC to its retail mix.


As of mid-November, Ricky’s NYC had brought in Not Your Mother’s full line of hair care in all its retail stores, as well as its online store. There are more than 11,500 retail locations in the United States currently selling Not Your Mother’s.


 

November 28, 2012

L&R Distributors on Wednesday acquired the assets of SAJ Distributors, along with the private-label line Select Brand, from Walgreens.

NEW YORK — L&R Distributors on Wednesday acquired the assets of SAJ Distributors, along with the private-label line Select Brand, from Walgreens. Walgreens had acquired SAJ earlier this year when it purchased USA Drug from Stephen L. LaFrance Holdings and members of the LaFrance family.

November 26, 2012

Brynwood Partners VI on Monday announced that it has sold its Balance Bar Company, which manufactures nutrition and energy bars, to NBTY.

GREENWICH, Conn. — Brynwood Partners VI on Monday announced that it has sold its Balance Bar Company, which manufactures nutrition and energy bars, to NBTY. 

November 19, 2012

DSN profiled six companies that sell on their American-made heritage as part of its "Made in America" report.

DSN profiled six companies that sell on their American-made heritage as part of its "Made in America" report.

GREEN TOYS
MILL VALLEY, Calif. — Green Toys makes a line of classic children’s toys constructed from recycled, food-safe plastic and other environmentally friendly materials. The products not only help fuel the “Made in America” movement, the use of recycled materials helps distinguish the toy manufacturer by reducing fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.

November 16, 2012

The battle for Schiff Nutrition is on. Reckitt Benckiser on Friday commenced its previously announced tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Schiff Nutrition — a provider of branded vitamins, nutrition supplements and nutrition bars in the United States and elsewhere — for $42 per share in cash, or approximately $1.4 billion.

SLOUGH, England — The battle for Schiff Nutrition is on. Reckitt Benckiser on Friday commenced its previously announced tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Schiff Nutrition — a provider of branded vitamins, nutrition supplements and nutrition bars in the United States and elsewhere — for $42 per share in cash, or approximately $1.4 billion.

November 15, 2012

Initial shipment of a generic appetite suppressant has started, the drug's manufacturer said Thursday.

NORTHVALE, N.J. — Initial shipment of a generic appetite suppressant has started, the drug's manufacturer said Thursday.

Elite Pharmaceuticals announced the initial shipment of phendimetrazine tartrate tablets in the 35-mg strength, a generic version of Valeant's Bontril PDM, under a manufacturing and supply agreement with Mikah Pharma. Actavis, recently acquired by Watson Pharmaceuticals, will distribute the drug as part of a distribution agreement between Mikah and Actavis.

November 14, 2012

Consumer products company Spectrum Brands Holdings has acquired a 56% interest in Shaser Bioscience, a privately held developer of energy-based, aesthetic dermatological technology for home use devices, for $50 million in cash.

MADISON, Wis. — Consumer products company Spectrum Brands Holdings has acquired a 56% interest in Shaser Bioscience, a privately held developer of energy-based, aesthetic dermatological technology for home use devices, for $50 million in cash.

The transaction provides Spectrum Brands with exclusive rights to Shaser Bioscience’s entire range of technology platforms and strengthens the position of Spectrum Brands’ Remington personal care division in the growing segments of the worldwide beauty and skin care retail device market.

November 13, 2012

The University of Illinois College of Pharmacy has named Kirby Lester president and CEO Garry Zage its 2012 Alumnus of the Year, the pharmacy automation manufacturer said Tuesday.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The University of Illinois College of Pharmacy has named Kirby Lester president and CEO Garry Zage its 2012 Alumnus of the Year, the pharmacy automation manufacturer said Tuesday.

Zage, who graduated from the college in 1977, purchased Kirby Lester in 2005. He has worked in pharmacy for more than 35 years and focused on pharmacy automation for more than 15 years, the company said, adding that the award recognizes graduates who are innovators, exhibit leadership and have contributed significantly to the pharmacy profession.

November 2, 2012

Alliance Boots on Thursday announced that it has acquired ownership of its associate, Alliance Healthcare Russia, from AB Acquisitions Holdings Limited, the ultimate parent company of Alliance Boots.

ZUG, Switzerland — Alliance Boots on Thursday announced that it has acquired ownership of its associate, Alliance Healthcare Russia, from AB Acquisitions Holdings Limited, the ultimate parent company of Alliance Boots.

This follows the recently established strategic partnership with Walgreens, which included, among other things, an option for Walgreens to acquire the Alliance Healthcare Russia shareholding on exercise of its option to proceed to a full merger with Alliance Boots.

 

 

October 31, 2012

Bayer HealthCare on Tuesday signed a merger agreement to acquire Schiff Nutrition International, and with that, prominent supplement brands Digestive Advantage, MegaRed, Move Free and Airborne.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Bayer HealthCare on Tuesday signed a merger agreement to acquire Schiff Nutrition International, and with that, prominent supplement brands Digestive Advantage, MegaRed, Move Free and Airborne. These four products accounted for 70% of all Schiff sales, noted Marijn Dekkers, Bayer CEO, during an analyst call Wednesday morning. "This acquisition will strengthen Bayer's leading OTC business and complement our existing nutritionals business with well-established strong brands," he said. 

October 31, 2012

Watson Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday announced the sale of its Rugby over-the-counter business to the Harvard Drug Group — a distributor and provider of private-label OTCs and generic prescription products under the Major Pharmaceuticals brand — for approximately $117 million.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday announced the sale of its Rugby over-the-counter business to the Harvard Drug Group — a distributor and provider of private-label OTCs and generic prescription products under the Major Pharmaceuticals brand — for approximately $117 million.  

"I am confident that Major, with its leadership position as a marketer of OTC products, will be more strategically positioned to maximize the value of the long-known and respected Rugby name," stated Paul Bisaro, president and CEO of Watson.

October 29, 2012

Ulta Beauty has announced that Michael MacDonald, president and CEO of DSW, a branded footwear and accessories retailer, has been appointed to its board.

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. — Ulta Beauty has announced that Michael MacDonald, president and CEO of DSW, a branded footwear and accessories retailer, has been appointed to its board.

October 29, 2012

Par Pharmaceutical Cos. has bought rights to a generic version of a drug used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. – Par Pharmaceutical Cos. has bought rights to a generic version of a drug used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

October 25, 2012

McKesson and PSS World Medical on Thursday announced that the two companies have signed a definitive agreement under which McKesson will acquire all outstanding shares of PSS World Medical for $29 per share in cash in a deal valued at $2.1 billion.

SAN FRANCISCO — McKesson and PSS World Medical on Thursday announced that the two companies have signed a definitive agreement under which McKesson will acquire all outstanding shares of PSS World Medical for $29 per share in cash in a deal valued at $2.1 billion.