BWI: GSK Initiates Voluntary Open Offer to Increase Stake in its Pharmaceuticals Subsidiary in India

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited
Monday, December 16, 2013 12:47 PM IST (07:17 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Chemicals, Financial Analyst, Healthcare, biotechnology & pharmaceutical, Major diversified industrial groups, Stock exchanges; Healthcare
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GSK Initiates Voluntary Open Offer to Increase Stake in its Pharmaceuticals Subsidiary in India


London, United Kingdom, Monday, December 16, 2013 -- (Business Wire India) -- GlaxoSmithKline ("GSK") (LSE: GSK) today announced a Voluntary Open Offer (the "Offer") to increase its stake in its publicly-listed pharmaceuticals subsidiary in India (GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited, the "Company") from 50.7% to up to 75% at a price of INR 3,100 per share. Securities regulations in India require a minimum public shareholding of 25% for a company to maintain a public listing in the country. GSK intends to keep the Company publicly-listed.

The Offer, which is made pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), is to acquire up to 20,609,774 shares, representing 24.3% of the total outstanding shares of the Indian Company. The Offer represents a premium of approximately 26% to the Company's closing share price on the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE) on 13 December, 2013. This closing price represents an appreciation of 19% over the last 12 months. The potential total value of the transaction at the Offer price is approximately INR 64 billion or £629 million.

David Redfern, Chief Strategy Officer, GSK said: "For GSK this transaction will increase exposure to a strategically important market and for our Indian pharmaceuticals subsidiary's shareholders we believe it offers a good liquidity opportunity at an attractive premium.

"GSK has a proud heritage in India. Today's announcement is a further demonstration of our long-term commitment to the country having increased our holding in our consumer business earlier this year and more recently committed to a significant manufacturing investment."

The transaction will be funded through GSK's existing cash resources, will be earnings neutral for the first year and accretive thereafter and will not impact expectations for the Group's long-term share buyback programme.

GSK's Indian pharmaceuticals subsidiary manufactures, distributes and commercialises pharmaceuticals and vaccines across multiple therapeutic areas including respiratory, cardiovascular, oncology, anti-infectives and dermatology. The Company employs more than 5,000 people across its operations and generated more than INR 26 billion turnover in the financial year ended 31 December 2012 (approximately £313 million at 2012 average exchange rates).

The Company's profit before tax in the financial year ended 31 December, 2012 was approximately INR 9.8 billion (approximately £116 million at 2012 average exchange rates) and approximately INR 5.6 billion after tax and exceptional items (approximately £66 million at 2012 average exchange rates).

Subject to regulatory clearance, the Offer period is expected to begin in February 2014. Payment for the shares will take place shortly after close of the Offer. The Company's shares are traded on the Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd (Scrip Code: 500660) and the NSE (Symbol:GLAXO).

The details of the Offer can be found in the public announcement which will shortly be available at www.sebi.gov.in, www.bseindia.com, and www.nseindia.com, and the detailed public statement and letter of offer which will be filed in connection with the Offer with SEBI and the relevant stock exchanges.

The Offer is being managed by HSBC Securities and Capital Markets (India) Private Limited.

Notes to editors

Accounting Information

GSK will continue to consolidate 100% of the results and net assets of the Company, but the share of profits due to the non-controlling interests and the non-controlling interests balance in the balance sheet will both be lower after the transaction. GSK will record no gain or loss on the acquisition, with the accounting entries being recorded in non-controlling interests and shareholders' equity.

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that may affect GSK' s operations are described under Item 3.D 'Risk factors' in the company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2012.

This announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities whether pursuant to the Offer or otherwise. The distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession this announcement comes should inform themselves about, and observe such restrictions. Any failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities law of any such jurisdiction.

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Registered Office:
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CONSUMER, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, CHEMICALS, Financial Analyst, HEALTHCARE, GROUPS, STOCK EXCHANGES, HEALTHCARE

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