GSK intends to sell part holding in Aspen

RNS Number : 3208H

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

12 March 2015

 



NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA, THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, JAPAN OR THE UNITED STATES, OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

12 March 2015, London UK - LSE announcement

GSK announces intention to sell part of its holding in Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd

GlaxoSmithKline announces that it intends to sell approximately half of its 12.4% stake in Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd ("Aspen"). The disposal will be through a placing of ordinary shares in Aspen to institutional investors (the "Offering").

The Offering is expected to comprise 28.2 million Aspen ordinary shares equivalent to c.6.2% of Aspen's issued share capital. The offer price will be determined by means of an accelerated bookbuild offering process which is to start immediately.

A further announcement will be made following completion of the bookbuild and pricing of the Offering.

After the proposed transaction, GSK would remain a c.6.2% shareholder in Aspen and has undertaken not to dispose of any shares in Aspen for a period of 180 days following completion, subject to certain limited exceptions.

Simon Dingemans, GSK's Chief Financial Officer, said: "GSK has a long and successful commercial partnership with Aspen and our investment in the company has grown in value significantly over time. As we continue to reshape the Group around our core franchises and drive the benefits from the Novartis transaction, optimizing our financial flexibility to invest behind these priorities is key.  As a result we have decided now is the right time to realise further value from this successful relationship.  We continue to believe in the strategy of Aspen and we remain committed to working together in the future."

GSK has entered into a placing agreement with Citigroup Global Markets Limited and UBS Limited to act as the Joint Bookrunners in relation to the Offering.

Proceeds from the transaction will be used for general corporate purposes. The net profit on disposal will not be included in core operating profit and core EPS in 2015 and it is expected that GSK will no longer account for Aspen as an associate going forward.

GSK - one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.  For further information please visit www.gsk.com.

GSK enquiries:
UK Media enquiries:	David Mawdsley	[phone]	(London)
	Simon Steel	[phone]	(London)
	David Daley	[phone]	(London)
	Catherine Hartley	[phone]	(London)
	Sarah Spencer	[phone]	(London)
	Claire Brough	[phone]	(London)
Analyst/Investor enquiries:	Ziba Shamsi	[phone]	(London)
	Gary Davies	[phone]	(London)
	James Dodwell	[phone]	(London)

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements This announcement does not constitute a prospectus or an offer or invitation to purchase securities. This announcement is only addressed to, and directed at, persons in member states of the European Economic Area ("EEA") who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive (Directive 2003/71/EC) as amended by the 2010 PD Amending Directive (Directive 2010/73/EU), as and to the extent implemented in the relevant EEA member state, and any relevant implementing measure in the relevant member state. In addition, in the United Kingdom, this announcement is not being distributed, nor has it been approved for the purposes of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ("FSMA"), by a person authorised under FSMA and is directed only at persons (i) who are persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of "investment professionals" in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), or (ii) persons who are high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, or (iii) other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated ("relevant persons"). Under no circumstances should persons who are not relevant persons rely or act upon the contents of this announcement. Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement relates in the United Kingdom is available only to, and will be engaged only with, relevant persons. This announcement is not an offer for sale of securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. GSK does not intend to register any part of the offering in the United States or to conduct a public offering in the United States of the shares to which this announcement relates. The Offering and the distribution of this announcement do not, nor are they intended to, constitute an offer for the sale of or subscription for, or the solicitation of an offer to buy and subscribe for, shares to the public as defined in the South African Companies Act, No 71 of 2008 (as amended or otherwise) (the "South African Act") and will not be distributed to any person in South Africa in any manner which could be construed as an offer to the public in terms of the South African Act. The Offering and the distribution of this announcement do not, nor are they intended to, constitute a prospectus prepared and registered under the South African Act. The Offering and the distribution of this announcement and other information in connection with the Offering in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. No action has been taken that would permit the Offering or distribution of this announcement in any jurisdiction where action for such purpose is required. Persons into whose possession any document or other information referred to herein comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.  Citigroup Global Markets Limited and UBS Limited, which are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, are acting for GSK and for no one else in connection with the Offering and will not be responsible to anyone other than GSK for providing the protections afforded to their customers or for affording advice in relation to the Offering, the contents of this announcement or any transaction, arrangement or other matter referred to in this announcement. Citigroup Global Markets Limited and UBS Limited may participate in the Offering on a proprietary basis. This announcement does not represent the announcement of a definitive agreement to proceed with the Offering and, accordingly, there can be no certainty that the Offering will proceed. GSK reserves the right not to proceed with the Offering or to vary the terms of the Offering in any way. GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described in Item 3.D "Risk factors" in GSK's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2014.

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