Sun Pharma acquires GSK’s opiates business in Australia

GSK’s two manufacturing facilities in Australia, its opiate product portfolio and inventory will be transferred to Sun Pharma.

The acquired business includes analgesics produced from raw materials found in opium poppy plants to treat moderate to severe pain.

The acquisition enables Sun Pharma to expand its narcotics raw material market share; improve opiate alkaloids portfolio & depth in global opiates market; and strengthen its presence in the worldwide opiates business.

Sun Pharma started the process of integration of the acquired business. The company said the transition process will emphasise on aligning best functional needs and using employee talents in the business.

Sun Pharma API business CEO Anil Kumar Jain said: "The successful completion of this acquisition enables us to leverage our unique position in the global Opiates business by capitalizing our global footprint and global ranking in the specialty generics market."

The Indian company now provides a set of opiates product line apart from a large API portfolio and dosage formulations covering a range of chronic and acute prescription drugs.