Pfizer has recruited around 250 people this year for its India operations and will add another 200 to its tally next year. The company is also planning to expand to smaller cities.

"To fuel the growth of Pfizer in India, we are also expanding our operations in tier-2 and tier-3 cities," Handa added.

In January, Pfizer had acquired much smaller rival Wyeth for about USD 68 billion. Handa has also been appointed as Managing Director of Wyeth's India operations.

"As of now, Wyeth and Pfizer are two separate entities and they do not have major overlaps in terms of product portfolios and rather they complement each other," he added.

The company is currently working on bringing synergies in operations of Pfizer and Wyeth in the country, he said.

In its memorandum opinion and order, the court found that "Wyeth has failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits" of its claim that the US Food Drug Administration's (FDA) approval to Orchid's generic application violated laws.

The company further said it is pleased with this result and will protect abbreviated new drug applications (ANDA) for its Piperacillin and Tazobactam injections and also continue to supply the products to its distribution partner, Apotex Corp.

Earlier, Wyeth had filed a motion in the US District Court of Columbia seeking TRO to refrain Ochid from launching the drug in the US market.

As part of the deal, Boehringer Ingelheim will acquire the Duramune(R) line of vaccines for dogs, the Fel-O-Vax(R) line of vaccines for cats, and the Rabvac(R) line of rabies vaccines manufactured and sold in the U.S., Canada and Australia. In addition, a portfolio of pet and equine pharmaceutical products currently sold in the U.S. is also included in the deal. The company will also acquire cattle vaccines in the U.S. and Canada including the Triangle(R), Pyramid(R), and Presponse(R) vaccine lines. Pharmaceutical products being acquired include Cydectin(R) (moxidectin) for cattle and sheep as well as Polyflex(R) (ampicillin sodium). The dairy portfolio includes the key brands Today(R) and Tomorrow(R). Several Canadian swine vaccines are included in the acquisition as are some cattle vaccines sold in Europe and South Africa.

Announcement (September 22, 2009):

Boehringer Ingelheim has entered into an agreement to acquire certain assets of Wyeth Pharmaceutical's Fort Dodge Animal Health business.

Update on August 5, 2009:

According to Reuters, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH is the front-runner to acquire certain Fort Dodge animal health assets from Wyeth.

Wyeth is not selling its entire Fort Dodge business, just certain assets within the unit that are valued at approximately $400 million to $500 million.

Rumor (July 8, 2009):

According to Dow Jones, Boehringer Ingelheim is contemplated to be one of the potential bidders to acquire certain Fort Dodge animal health assets from Wyeth.

Reportedly, Sanofi-Aventis S.A. and Novartis AG are also contemplated to be in the race to acquire certain Fort Dodge animal health assets from Wyeth.

Deal Type    Acquisition
Sub-Category Asset Purchase
Deal Status  Completed: 2009-10-26

Deal Participants

Target (Company)   Wyeth - Fort Dodge Animal Health Assets
Acquirer (Company) Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH
Vendor (Company)   Wyeth (formerly American Home Products Corporation)

Deal Rationale

The assets will significantly increase the size of Boehringer Ingelheim's companion animal and cattle portfolios and strengthens its position as a leading vaccine supplier. The products included in this acquisition complement Boehringer Ingelheim's already strong product lines and help to broaden its innovation base across more species and boost its global pipeline.