Teva to buy Allergan generic drug unit for $40.5bn

Israeli pharmaceutical giant Teva said Monday that it was buying the generic drug business of Allergan for $40.5 billion, consolidating its position as a world leader in generics.

Teva will pay $33.75 billion in cash and offer $6.75 billion of its stock to Allergan, the company said, in a major move that will further shake up the industry.

However, Teva said that it was withdrawing its offer of $40.1 billion for rival Mylan, a US-listed company that moved to the Netherlands a year ago for fiscal reasons.

Mylan had dismissed Teva's $40.1 billion bid in April and on Thursday Mylan's independent foundation said it would exercise a call option allowing it buy shares to control half the company to fend off the hostile takeover.

Addressing the mega deal for Allergan's generics business, Teva chief executive Erez Vigodman said in a statement: "This acquisition comes at a time when Teva is stronger than ever, in both our generics and speciality businesses."

"This transaction is another step forward on our roadmap to reinforce our already strong position," he added.

"Teva and Allergan Generics share a commitment to innovation, quality, and improving the health of people around the world. Together, the employees of Teva and Allergan Generics will play a critical role ensuring we capture the full potential value resulting from this transaction.

"We look forward to delivering the benefits of this transaction to our stockholders, and better serving patients, customers and healthcare systems throughout the world."

Generic drug companies are under pressure to do deals because there are fewer big-money drugs shifting to generic status compared with a few years ago, when cholesterol medication Lipitor and other blockbusters were available, experts say.