GlaxoSmithkline or GSK finally takes its place today among the world's top drug companies. The $167.58 billion merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham will create a pharmaceuticals giant with nearly 19 billion of sales and a market value of $168.02 billion. Its sales force will outgun competitors in most of the 60 countries in which it operates. Only Pfizer of the US, which this year gobbled up Warner-Lambert for $90 billion will be bigger. Along with Pfizer, GSK will have about a 7 per cent share of the global drugs market. That leaves a chasing pack of companies, Merck of the US, Novartis of Switzerland and AstraZeneca of the UK, with about 4.5-5 per cent.
Merger creates drugs giant
GlaxoSmithkline or GSK finally takes its place today among the world's top drug companies. The $167
Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
Sign up to the Business Today newsletter for the latest new and commentary in your inbox
Listen to Inside Business podcast for a look at business and economics from an Irish perspective