Viatris Inc. is an American global pharmaceutical and healthcare corporation headquartered in

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania Canonsburg is a Borough (Pennsylvania), borough in Washington County, Pennsylvania, southwest of Pittsburgh. Canonsburg was laid out by Colonel John Canon in 1789 and incorporated in 1802. The population was 9,735 at the 2020 census. The town li ...

. The corporation was formed through the merger of

Mylan Mylan N.V. was a global generic and specialty pharmaceuticals company. In November 2020, Mylan merged with Upjohn, Pfizer's off-patent medicine division, to form Viatris. Previously, the company was domiciled in the Netherlands, with principal e ...

and

Upjohn The Upjohn Company was a pharmaceutical manufacturing firm founded in 1886 in Hastings, Michigan, by Dr. William E. Upjohn who was an 1875 graduate of the University of Michigan medical school. The company was originally formed to make ''friabl ...

, a legacy division of

Pfizer Pfizer Inc. ( ) is an American multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation headquartered on 42nd Street in Manhattan, New York City. The company was established in 1849 in New York by two German entrepreneurs, Charles Pfizer ...

, on November 16, 2020. The name of the corporation comes from the Latin words ''via'', meaning path, and ''tris'', which means three, referring to the path to three main objectives the corporation set. Viatris ranked 254th on the 2021 ''Fortune'' 500 rankings of the largest United States corporations based on its 2020 total revenue.

History

On November 16, 2020,

merged with

in a

Reverse Morris Trust A Reverse Morris Trust in United States law is a transaction that combines a divisive reorganization ( spin-off) with an acquisitive reorganization ( statutory merger) to allow a tax-free transfer (in the guise of a merger) of a subsidiary. It may ...

transaction and changed its name to Viatris. At that time, Michael Goettler became

chief executive officer A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a central executive officer (CEO), chief administrator officer (CAO) or just chief executive (CE), is one of a number of corporate executives charged with the management of an organization especially ...

. Following the combination, the company began trading on the NASDAQ using the ticker symbol VTRS. In December 2020, the company announced a cost-reducing restructuring plan which would impact up to 20% of its global workforce, or 9,000 jobs at its facilities around the world. In 2021, Viatris was ranked 5th by ''Fortune'' on its annual "Change the World" list. In February 2022, Viatris announced an agreement where it will contribute to Biocon Biologics its

biosimilar A biosimilar (also known as follow-on biologic or subsequent entry biologic) is a biologic medical product that is almost an identical copy of an original product that is manufactured by a different company. Biosimilars are officially approved ...

s portfolio and related commercial and operational capabilities in exchange for up to $3.335 billion, including a stake of at least 12.9% in Biocon Biologics. In November 2022, the business agreed to acquire

Oyster Point Pharma Oyster Point Pharma, Inc. is an American biopharmaceutical based in Princeton, New Jersey, focusing on the development of pharmaceutical therapies to treat ophthalmic diseases. Products The lead product of the company is Tyrvaya. In October 20 ...

and Famy Life Sciences for an aggregate of $700–750 million to create an ophthalmology division.

Predecessors

The following is an illustration of the company's major mergers and acquisitions and historical predecessors: *Viatris **Merger of Mylan and Upjohn ***Mylan (Founded 1961, merged with

, 2020) ****Somerset Pharmaceuticals (Acq 1989) ****Dow B. Hickam (Acq 1991) ****Bertek Inc (Acq 1993) ****UDL Laboratories (Acq 1996) ****Penederm Inc (Acq 1998) ****Matrix Laboratories (Acq 2007) **** Merck KGaA (Generics div.) (Acq 2007) ****Bioniche Pharma Holdings (Acq 2010) **** Pfizer Respiratory Delivery Platform (Acq 2011) ****Agila Specialties (Acq 2013) **** Abbott Laboratories (Generics div.) (Acq 2014) ****Famy Care (Acq 2014) ****

Meda Meda may refer to: Places * Meda de Mouros, a parish in Tábua Municipality, Portugal * Medas, a parish in Gondomar Municipality, Portugal * Meda-Ela, Sri Lanka * Međa (Leskovac), village in the municipality of Leskovac, Serbia * Meda, Lombardy ...

(Acq 2016) ****Renaissance Acquisition Holdings (Dermatology div.) (Acq 2016) ***

(Divested from

& merged with

, 2020) **Famy Life Sciences (Acq pending) **Oyster Point Pharma (Acq pending)

Products

The company produces and sells a variety of medicines, with 1,400 approved therapeutic molecules in its portfolio. It owns brands (like

Viagra Sildenafil, sold under the brand name Viagra, among others, is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is unclear if it is effective for treating sexual dysfunction in women. It is taken by ...

Xanax Alprazolam, sold under the brand name Xanax, among others, is a fast-acting, potent tranquilizer of medium duration in the triazolobenzodiazepine (TBZD) class, which are benzodiazepines (BZDs) fused with a triazole ring. It is most commonly ...

Lipitor Atorvastatin is a statin medication used to prevent cardiovascular disease in those at high risk and to treat abnormal lipid levels. For the prevention of cardiovascular disease, statins are a first-line treatment. It is taken by mouth. Common ...

), generics, including branded and complex generics,

s, and

over-the-counter Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medicines sold directly to a consumer without a requirement for a prescription from a healthcare professional, as opposed to prescription drugs, which may be supplied only to consumers possessing a valid prescr ...

(OTC) drugs and

active pharmaceutical ingredients An active ingredient is any ingredient that provides biologically active or other direct effect in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease or to affect the structure or any function of the body of humans or animals. The ...

. Viatris products cover therapeutic areas including

cardiovascular The blood circulatory system is a system of organs that includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood which is circulated throughout the entire body of a human or other vertebrate. It includes the cardiovascular system, or vascular system, tha ...

infectious disease An infection is the invasion of tissues by pathogens, their multiplication, and the reaction of host tissues to the infectious agent and the toxins they produce. An infectious disease, also known as a transmissible disease or communicable dise ...

oncology Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, treatment, diagnosis and prevention of cancer. A medical professional who practices oncology is an ''oncologist''. The name's etymological origin is the Greek word ὄγκος (''ó ...

immunology Immunology is a branch of medicineImmunology for Medical Students, Roderick Nairn, Matthew Helbert, Mosby, 2007 and biology that covers the medical study of immune systems in humans, animals, plants and sapient species. In such we can see there ...

, CNS and

anesthesia Anesthesia is a state of controlled, temporary loss of sensation or awareness that is induced for medical or veterinary purposes. It may include some or all of analgesia (relief from or prevention of pain), paralysis (muscle relaxation), ...

, women's healthcare,

diabetes Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ap ...

and

metabolism Metabolism (, from el, μεταβολή ''metabolē'', "change") is the set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms. The three main functions of metabolism are: the conversion of the energy in food to energy available to run cell ...

gastroenterology Gastroenterology (from the Greek gastḗr- “belly”, -énteron “intestine”, and -logía "study of") is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders. The digestive system consists of the gastrointestinal tract ...

respiratory The respiratory system (also respiratory apparatus, ventilatory system) is a biological system consisting of specific organs and structures used for gas exchange in animals and plants. The anatomy and physiology that make this happen varies grea ...

and

allergy Allergies, also known as allergic diseases, refer a number of conditions caused by the hypersensitivity of the immune system to typically harmless substances in the environment. These diseases include hay fever, food allergies, atopic derma ...

, and

dermatology Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin.''Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.'' Random House, Inc. 2001. Page 537. . It is a speciality with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist is a specialist medical ...

. The following products have been newly launched or received regulatory approvals since Viatris was established: * Abevmy (

Bevacizumab Bevacizumab, sold under the brand name Avastin among others, is a medication used to treat a number of types of cancers and a specific eye disease. For cancer, it is given by slow injection into a vein (intravenous) and used for colon cancer, l ...

), a biosimilar, received European Commission approval in April 2021. * Hulio (

Adalimumab Adalimumab, sold under the brand name Humira, among others, is a monoclonal antibody used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativ ...

), a biosimilar, was launched in Japan and Canada in February 2021. * Kixelle (

Insulin aspart Insulin aspart, sold under the brand name NovoLog and Fiasp, among others, is a insulin analog, modified type of Insulin (medication), medical insulin used to treat type I diabetes, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is generally used by injection ...

), a biosimilar, received European Commission approval in February 2021. *

Dolutegravir Dolutegravir (DTG), sold under the brand name Tivicay, is an antiretroviral medication used, together with other medication, to treat HIV/AIDS. It may also be used, as part of post exposure prophylaxis, to prevent HIV infection following potentia ...

received

US FDA The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or US FDA) is a federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of food s ...

approval in December 2020 to treat children with HIV/AIDS in low to middle income countries. The formulation is strawberry-flavored to make it easier to give to children and was made available at a 75% discount compared to previous treatments. * Semglee (

Insulin glargine Insulin glargine, sold under the brand name Lantus among others, is a long-acting modified form of medical insulin, used in the management of type I and type II diabetes. It is typically the recommended long acting insulin in the United King ...

-yfgn) received the first interchangeable biosimilar approval from the US FDA in July 2021. The approval allows pharmacists to substitute Semglee for the reference product, Lantus. Branded and unbranded versions of the interchangeable biosimilars launched in November 2021. * Breyna (Budesonide and Formoterol Fumarate Dihydrate Inhalation Aerosol) received approval from the US FDA in March 2022 as the first generic version of Symbicort for the treatment of

asthma Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, cou ...

and

COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a type of progressive lung disease characterized by long-term respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. The main symptoms include shortness of breath and a cough, which may or may not produce mu ...

Partnerships

Following the formation of Viatris, the company became a member of the Biosimilars Forum, a trade organization that advocates for greater biosimilar usage. Viatris partnered with the

American College of Cardiology The American College of Cardiology (ACC), based in Washington, D.C., is a nonprofit medical association established in 1949. It bestows credentials upon cardiovascular specialists who meet its qualifications. Education is a core component of the ...

, the NCD Alliance, and the

World Heart Federation The World Heart Federation (WHF) is a non-governmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, formed in 1972. The current President for World Heart Federation is Fausto Pinto. In 1978 the International Society of Cardiology merged with the Int ...

to create the NCD Academy, a platform to help fight non-communicable diseases around the world. In December 2020, the company worked with

Sesame Workshop Sesame Workshop (SW), originally known as the Children's Television Workshop (CTW), is an American nonprofit organization that has been responsible for the production of several educational children's programs—including its first and best-know ...

to create resources to help children and their caregivers manage their social and emotional needs impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2021, the company partnered with Atomo Diagnostics and

Unitaid Unitaid is a global health initiative that works with partners to bring about innovations to prevent, diagnose and treat major diseases in low- and middle-income countries, with an emphasis on tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS and its deadly co ...

to expand access to HIV self-testing to 135 countries and lower the price of the tests by around 50%.

References

External links

* {{authority control 2020 establishments in Pennsylvania American companies established in 2020 Health care companies based in Pennsylvania Manufacturing companies based in Pittsburgh Pharmaceutical companies of the United States Companies listed on the Nasdaq