Teva Pharm to buy Mexican drugmaker Rimsa for US$2.3 billion

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has struck a deal to buy Mexican drugmaker Representaciones e Investigaciones Médicas SA (Rimsa) for US$2.3 billion to strengthen its presence in Latin America.

It is Teva's second major acquisition in recent months; in late July it agreed to pay US$40.5 billion in cash and stock for Allergan's generics drug business to solidify its position as the world's No. 1 maker of generic drugs.

With the Rimsa deal, Teva will become a leading pharma company in Mexico, the second-largest market in Latin America and one of the top five emerging markets globally.

The Israel-based firm said it expected the deal to yield substantial cost savings. "This acquisition delivers on our strategy of increasing our presence in key emerging markets in order to position Teva for long-term growth in these markets," said Chief Executive Erez Vigodman.

Teva said Rimsa brought with it a portfolio of patent-protected specialty products, a strong brand, commercial presence and loyal customer base.

The Mexican drugmaker had revenue of US$227 million in 2014, with an annual growth rate of 10.6 percent since 2011.

Siggi Olafsson, CEO of Teva's global generic business, said the company would build on Rimsa's reputation, sales force and customer base to introduce additional specialty and generic Teva medicines to patients in Mexico and across the region.

Teva, which expects the acquisition to close by early first quarter in 2016, will fund it through cash on hand and lines of credit. It is not expected to affect 2016 adjusted earnings and is expected to boost profit from the first quarter of 2017.