Govt clears GlaxoSmithKline's Rs 6,400 crore FDI proposal

NEW DELHI: The government today cleared Rs 6,400 crore FDI proposal of global healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline to acquire additional 24.33 per cent stake in its India arm.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs ( CCEA) has approved the proposal of GlaxoSmithKline Pte Limited, Singapore for acquisition of 24.33 per cent shares in existing Indian subsidiary company of GSK Group.

The said acquisition "would be done by way of a voluntary open offer under SEBI ( SAST Regulations) in the pharmaceutical sector," an official statement said today.

"The approval would result in foreign investment of approximately Rs 6,390 crore in the country," the statement added.

GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals is already majority owned and controlled by the GSK Group.

After the purchase, holding of the promoter group firm in the Indian subsidiary will go up to 75 per cent from the current level of 50.67 per cent.

GSK Pharma makes, distributes and trades in a variety of drugs. Its portfolio include prescription medicines and vaccines across areas such as anti-infectives, dermatology, and gynaecology.

The company employs more than 5,000 people and generated more than Rs 2,600 crore turnover during the financial year ended December 31, 2012.