Pfizer lays a chunky bid on Wyeth
The merger of two pharma giants is the largest industry deal so far this year. Pfizer will acquire Wyeth in a cash-and-stock transaction currently valued at approximately $68 billion. The Boards of Directors of both companies have said yes to the deal that may lead to lay-offs of some 8,000 persons.
The transaction is expected to close at the end of the third quarter or during the fourth quarter of 2009. It will be financed through a combination of cash, debt and stock. A consortium of banks has provided commitments for a total of $22.5 billion in debt. The merger of the two pharma giants will not only lead to synergy advantages in research and development. The transaction will also yield cost savings of approximately $4 billion to be fully realized by the third year after closing. Savings are expected in selling, informational and administrative functions, research and development, and manufacturing. Some sources mention lay-offs amounting to as much as 8,000 employees in the two companies combined. The proposed transaction is subject to approval by the stockholders of Wyeth and antitrust notification and clearance.