Roche to Sell Vitamin Unit to Dutch DSM
Associated Press
Swiss drug giant Roche said it has reached agreement to sell its vitamin division for $2.21 billion to DSM, the Dutch chemical and life sciences company.
Roche said the move would allow it to focus on its priority areas of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. The deal is expected to close early next year.
The deal, which is subject to clearance by European Union antitrust authorities, comes less than a year after Roche was fined about $406 million by the European Commission in November for being the “prime mover” in an international vitamin price-fixing cartel involving seven companies.
Under terms of the sale, Roche said it would remain responsible for all present and future liabilities resulting from vitamin price-fixing litigation.
