Actavis PLC plans to buy Forest Laboratories Inc. for about $25 billion.

“With this strategic combination, we create an innovative new model in specialty pharmaceuticals leadership, with size and scale, a balanced offering of strong brands and generics, a focus on strategic, lower-risk drug development, and – most important – the ability to drive sustainable organic growth,” said Paul Bisaro, Chairman and CEO of Actavis in a press release. “Bolstered by one of the deepest and most diversified product portfolios in the industry with an exceptionally strong pipeline, this transaction creates a powerful engine for generating long-term, double-digit revenue and earnings growth.

The combined company will be led by Paul Bisaro, Chairman and CEO of Actavis plc. The integration of the two companies will be led by the Actavis and Forest senior management teams, with integration planning expected to begin immediately in order to assure a rapid transition to a single company following close. Actavis has agreed that three members of the Forest Board of Directors will be named to the Actavis Board of Directors following the close.

The proposed transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of Actavis and Forest, and is enthusiastically supported by the management teams of both companies. The transaction is subject to the approval of the shareholders of both companies, as well as customary regulatory approvals, including a Hart-Scott-Rodino review in the United States.

Source: Actavis