In July 2019, Pfizer announced the plan to combine Upjohn, its primarily off-patent branded and generic established medicines business, with Mylan, a global pharmaceutical company with a diverse portfolio and global reach, to create a new champion for global health, uniquely positioned to fulfill the world’s need for medicine. By bringing together the two companies’ strengths, resources and portfolios, the combined organization will be able to fulfill the growing need for accessible medicines around the globe.
The new company, which will be named Viatris and have a commercial presence in more than 165 countries, will drive a sustainable, diverse and differentiated portfolio of prescription medicines, including iconic brands such as Lipitor® (atorvastatin), Lyrica® (pregabalin) and Viagra® (sildenafil citrate), complex generics like Wixela™ Inhub™ (fluticasone propionate and salmeterol inhalation powder, USP), and biosimilars, such as Fulphila® (pegfilgrastim-jmdb). The combination also will enable Pfizer to sharpen its focus on the research and development of medical innovations to address unmet needs of patients around the world.
Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer's Chairman and CEO, states, “We are creating a new company poised to bring world-class medicines to patients across a wide range of therapeutic areas. I believe that Mylan’s unique profile and strategy have made it the obvious partner of choice in creating this powerful combination. By bringing Mylan’s growth assets to Upjohn’s growth markets, we will create a financially strong company with true global reach. For Pfizer, this transaction represents our sharpened focus on innovative medicines and is a testament to our purpose – Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives.”