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Novartis to sell animal health division
Novartis
Novartis will sell its animal health division and vaccines business, excluding flu.

Top drug companies strike multi-billion dollar deal

Leading drug company Novartis has announced it will sell off its animal health division to Eli Lilly and Company for $5.4 billion.

In a separate transaction, Novartis has struck a multi-billion dollar deal with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to exchange assets and launch a joint venture. Novartis will acquire GSK oncology products for $16 billion.  

The company will also sell its vaccines business, except the flu unit, to GSK for $7.1 billion.

Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis, said this marks a "transformational moment" for the company. "We believe the divestment of our smaller vaccines and animal health divisions will enable us to realise immediate value from these businesses for our shareholders," he said.

"Those divisions will benefit from being part of large, global businesses that are also leaders in their segments.

"Patients will benefit from even higher levels of innovation that this focus may afford. Looking ahead, this positions Novartis well for future healthcare industry dynamics."

A joint venture will see the combination of Novartis' over-the-counter unit and GSK Consumer Healthcare, with the aim of creating a world-leading consumer healthcare business. Annual sales are expected to reach around $6.5 billion.

GSK said the transactions will boost the company's annual revenues by £1.3 billion to £26.9 billion.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.