GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. have signed an agreement to form a Joint Venture (JV) which is expected to create the number one vaccines company in Japan.

The JV will hold the development and commercial rights for already existing preventative vaccines from both parent companies.  It will supply globally recommended vaccines to help protect people of all ages in Japan including Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Rotavirus vaccine, Seasonal flu vaccine, Mumps vaccine, Diphtheria Pertussis (DTP) vaccine, and Measles Rubella (MR) vaccine. The business will be expanded in the future as new vaccines in the JV development pipeline are approved.

Both companies will sell their respective vaccines into the JV at agreed upon prices and expect sales synergies from the JV.  The companies will have an equal stake in the joint venture and will split the JV’s profits 50/50 with a portion going toward funding ongoing capital needs of the JV. There will be a minimal total cash investment of 100 million Yen (approximately £800,000) split equally between the two companies to cover the start up capital requirements of the JV.

Christophe Weber, president designate of GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines, commented, “This collaboration marks another step in our strategy to build our presence in key growth markets and will create the first and largest company dedicated solely to vaccines in Japan. We are very pleased to be partnering with Daiichi Sankyo, a highly regarded company and an established leader in Japan.  Both companies have strong track records in commercialisation and, in combination, will create further significant economies of scale in the development and distribution of vaccines in the Japanese market.”

Completion of the transaction is expected in the 3rd quarter of 2012, subject to local regulatory approvals.