Aspen Pharma offers to buy GlaxoSmithKline’s thrombosis brands

GSK did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction, but media reports suggest the deal size would be in the $700 - $900 million range.

The London-based company said that the offer includes the transfer of its Arixtra and Fraxiparine thrombosis brands (excluding China, India and Pakistan), along with Notre-Dame de Bondeville manufacturing plant in France and the majority of its employees.

GSK did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction.

The proposed acquisition is being carried out by Aspen Global Incorporated and Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited.

GSK said that it has entered into a period of exclusivity with Aspen and will respond to the offer subject to consultation with employees and the relevant works councils.

''The proposed transaction is aligned to GSK's strategy of focusing on products with the most growth potential and the delivery of its pipeline,'' the company said in a brief statement.

GSK is also in the process of selling its popular soft drink brands Lucozade and Ribena, in a deal that would fetch it more than $1.5 billion.

Apart from being Britain's largest pharmaceutical company, GSK is also the country's third-biggest soft drinks maker, behind Coca-Cola and Britvic.