Novartis, SmithKline deal

NOVN will acquire from SB rights to Famvir famciclovir and Vectavir/Denavir penciclovir for $1.6 billion in cash. Famvir, which recorded 1999 sales of $214 million, treats acute herpes zoster (shingles) and treats and/or suppresses genital herpes. Vectavir/Denavir, which posted $20 million in 1999 sales, treats cold sores. SB divested the products in response to antitrust concerns related to its merger with Glaxo Wellcome plc (LSE:GLXO; GLX, London, U.K.) (see BioCentury, Jan. 24). ...