The Board of Directors of Pfizer (Pfizer India) and Wyeth (Wyeth India) have approved a proposal to merge Wyeth India with Pfizer India. The Board of Directors of Pfizer India and Wyeth India have also announced an interim dividend of Rs 360 per share and Rs 145 per share respectively.
Aijaz Tobaccowalla, Managing Director, Pfizer India and Wyeth India, said, “I am pleased to announce that the Board of Directors of Pfizer and Wyeth have given their approval to merge the two companies thus initiating an important first step towards the creation of a single Pfizer brand. I strongly believe that this merger will increase long-term value for all stakeholders. The combined entity would have an increased therapeutic presence and a de-risked business profile. The merger process would require several approvals and we anticipate this will take approximately another nine months.”
The merger will be effected through a court approved Scheme of Amalgamation under Sections 391 to 394 and other applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 (Scheme). As per the Scheme, the shareholders of Wyeth India will be issued shares of Pfizer India at a swap ratio which has been determined as seven shares of Pfizer India for every 10 shares held by the shareholders of Wyeth India. The above swap ratio is based on the valuation carried out by independent accounting firms, after taking into account the payment of the interim dividend as set out above, and is on a post dividend basis. The recommended swap ratio has been reviewed by Merchant Bankers who have issued separate fairness opinions to the respective Board of Directors. Based on the proposed merger swap ratio, Pfizer India will issue approximately 15.9 million new equity shares to Wyeth India shareholders, as consideration for the merger.
With the initiation of the merger process, the amalgamation meaningfully advances strategic priorities including: Increase in the long-term value for the shareholders of Pfizer India and Wyeth India; Creation of a single ‘Go to Market’ strategy and single company brand image leading to stronger market presence and higher confidence levels with all stakeholders; Attracting best talent, increased employee confidence and morale under a single global Pfizer brand in India; Greater financial strength; More focused operational efforts, realising operational synergies in terms of compliance and governance costs; Increased share in therapeutic areas while de-risking business profile.
The key approvals required for the proposed Scheme are: Shareholders of Pfizer India and Wyeth India; Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI); Stock Exchanges; Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), India; Jurisdictional High Court of Bombay; The merger process is expected to be completed in approximately nine months.
The valuation was undertaken by independent chartered accountants Deloitte Haskins and Sells and SR Batliboi & Co LLP. DSP Merrill Lynch is the financial advisor to Pfizer India and has provided an opinion on the fairness from a financial point of view of the proposed swap ratio to the shareholders of Pfizer India. Citigroup Global Markets India is the financial advisor to Wyeth India and has provided an opinion on the fairness from a financial point of view of the proposed swap ratio to the shareholders of Wyeth India; Ernst & Young is acting as tax advisors to Pfizer India; AZB & Partners, Advocates and Solicitors are acting as Legal Advisors.
EP News Bureau – Mumbai