Nichi-Iko, sanofi-aventis deal

The companies will form the JV sanofi-aventis Nichi-Iko K.K., to market generics in Japan. sanofi-aventis will own 51% and Nichi-Iko will own 49%. sanofi-aventis also will purchase 1.5 million shares of Nichi-Iko at an undisclosed price for a 4.7% stake in Nichi-Iko, which had 2009 revenues of ¥54.8 billion ($591.8 million). sanofi-aventis said the deal will combine its generics portfolio with Nichi-Iko's generics manufacturing, development and distribution in Japan. ...