GlaxoSmithKline completes purchase of Block Drug for $1.24 Billion

cquisition expands GlaxoSmithKline's presence in oral healthcare and over-the-counter medicines

24-Jan-2001

GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) today announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Block Drug Company, Inc., the manufacturer of Sensodyne toothpaste and other oral healthcare and consumer products, for $1.24 billion.

"This acquisition will significantly enhance our Consumer Healthcare business, putting GSK among the top three consumer healthcare companies in the world, and number two in oral healthcare" said Jean-Pierre Garnier, Chief Executive Officer, GlaxoSmithKline..

The Block Drug portfolio of oral healthcare and over-the-counter (OTC) products is expected to add approximately $900 million in annual sales to GSK's global oral healthcare and OTC businesses, increasing GSK's consumer healthcare sales to nearly $5 billion. In addition to Sensodyne, Block Drug's products include Polident/Corega denture cleansers, Poli-Grip/Corega denture adhesive, and a number of other OTC brands.

Block Drug has geographic sales well balanced across North America, Europe and International markets, including Japan. With operations in over 100 countries, the company employs approximately 3,000 people in R&D, sales and marketing, manufacturing and distribution.

GlaxoSmithKline's pro forma consumer healthcare sales for the first half of 2000 were £1.3 billion, approximately 15 per cent of the group's total sales. With Block Drug, GSK has 12 brands with annual sales over $100 million and household brand names in 130 countries. Oral healthcare brands include Aquafresh and Odol. Other key products include the smoking cessation brands: Nicorette, Nicoderm CQ and Niquitin CQ, Tums antacid, Panadol analgesic and the Ribena, Lucozade and Horlicks nutritional drinks.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/952/glaxosmithkline-completes-purchase-of-block-drug-for-1-24-billion.html