Bayer join hands with Zydus to form Bayer Zydus Pharma

Bayer HealthCare and Zydus Cadila ("Zydus"), have signed an agreement to set up the Joint Venture Company Bayer Zydus Pharma for the sales and marketing of pharmaceutical products in India. Each party will hold 50 percent of the shares of Bayer Zydus Pharma, headquartered in Mumbai, and be equally represented on its management board.

Bayer Zydus Pharma will start operations with Bayer HealthCare's Pharmaceutical Division contributing its existing sales and marketing business in India to the new company, and Zydus contributing its women's healthcare products, diagnostic imaging business and other products.

Bayer Zydus Pharma will operate in key segments of the Indian pharmaceuticals market with a focus on: women's healthcare, metabolic disorders, diagnostic imaging, cardiovascular diseases, anti-diabetic treatments and oncology. In addition to Bayer HealthCare's currently existing pharmaceutical product portfolio in India, the Joint Venture is also intended to focus on the sales and marketing of future patented pipeline pharmaceutical products. Both Bayer HealthCare and Zydus will supply the Joint Venture with products sourced from its manufacturing operations at existing locations.

Through this transaction Bayer HealthCare and Zydus underline the importance of the emerging markets, specifically India. Bayer HealthCare will significantly enhance its marketing capabilities in India as part of its emerging market growth strategy. Zydus will maintain its strong position in India and will strengthen its network with global healthcare players, including in relation to its manufacturing capabilities. Bayer Zydus Pharma builds upon and significantly enhances the existing relationship of both parties with long term goals.

Commenting on Bayer Zydus Pharma, Pankaj R. Patel, Chairman and Managing Director of Zydus Cadila, said, "We have always believed in partnering growth, have keenly explored new opportunities to collaborate and look at synergies in the marketplace. We are happy to collaborate with Bayer HealthCare and jointly evolve this win-win combination that leverages strengths, looks at future possibilities and creates a common platform to pool in expertise."

"With this step, Bayer HealthCare aims to significantly accelerate its capabilities to better serve the fast growing Indian market. We believe that the joint venture between Bayer HealthCare and Zydus Cadila will provide a win-win situation for both partners," said Dr. Jörg Reinhardt, CEO of Bayer HealthCare AG. "We expect to leverage the strengths of Bayer Zydus Pharma such as the optimized product portfolio and the distribution capabilities to enhance the launch of new products and the sales of existing brands."