Bayer Acquisition of Roche Health Biz Approved

Approval for Bayer’s acquisition of Roche’s consumer health business

- Bayer HealthCare’s Consumer Care Division to expand in New Zealand

Some of New Zealand’s most popular prescription-free medicines will soon be merged under one company following European Commission approval of Bayer AG’s EUR 2.38 billion acquisition of Roche’s consumer health business.

The global acquisition, which is due to go through in New Zealand early in the new year, will bring together OTC (over the counter) brands such as Bayer Healthcare’s Aspirin® and Canesten® with Roche’s consumer brands, including Berocca® and Aspro®.

As a result, Bayer’s Consumer Care Division in New Zealand will nearly double its brand portfolio.

Integration teams are currently working through the details of the acquisition, which will see Bayer New Zealand increase employee numbers and establish a national sales team for consumer care.

Work is also being done on expected turnover in New Zealand, although figures are not available at this stage.

Globally the combined company is expected to have sales of EUR 2.4 billion and 6700 employees in 120 countries.

Bayer HealthCare’s Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, Derrill Palidwar, said Bayer was aiming at becoming the world leader in the OTC business.

“The acquisition is an important step towards this goal, particularly as the combined product portfolios are highly complementary and contain strong trusted brands.

“OTC products are a fast developing part of the health care market, one which is characterised by increasing consumer interest in overall health and self-medication. This is a good opportunity for our products.” More… Key Bayer consumer care brands in New Zealand are Aspirin®, Canesten®, Alka Seltzer®, Am-O-Lin® baby care products and the Pluravit® vitamin range.

Main Roche brands in New Zealand are vitamins Berocca®, Supradyn®, Redoxon® and Elevit®, as well as brands Aspro®, Naprogesic®, Cepacol®, Bepanthen® and Ungvita®.

Bayer AG is a German based company with three core business areas – HealthCare, CropScience and MaterialScience. In New Zealand it operates through Bayer New Zealand Ltd, based on Auckland’s North Shore.

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