Ranbaxy completes acquisition of RPG

Ranbaxy Laboratories, India's largest pharmaceutical company, has completed all the necessary formalities and consents required for its acquisition of RPG (Aventis) SA and the deal has now been concluded, making RPG (Aventis) SA, France, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy. The company will retain the name RPG to leverage its strong brand equity and visibility in the French generics market.

'This completes a further step in the expansion plans we have for Ranbaxy in Europe,' said Dr Brian W. Tempest, joint managing director and chief executive officer designate, Ranbaxy.

RPG (Aventis) was ranked fifth in the French generic market with sales of Euro 52m and a market share in excess of 6%. A wide range of 52 molecules, including 18 out of the 20 best selling molecules, make up the company's product portfolio. Its major therapeutic areas include cardiovascular, anti-infectives, gastrointestinals, rheumatoid/NSAIDs, neurology and analgesics.

France is the fourth largest pharmaceutical market globally with sales of US$19.2bn, growing at 4% annually and constituting 4.8% of the world pharmaceutical market. The generics market in France is about Euro 652m and is the fifth largest after the US, Japan, Germany and UK.