In a series of paradigm-changing deals that will significantly reshape the companies’ businesses, Novartis and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have agreed to swap certain assets and combine their consumer healthcare units in order to focus on those business areas in which they are most competitive. While Novartis has agreed to acquire GSK’s portfolio of marketed cancer drugs for up to US$16 B, GSK is to buy Novartis’ struggling vaccines business, excluding its influenza vaccines, for up to US$7.1 B plus royalties.