Pfizer has sold its final stake in Haleon, its consumer health spinoff, for approximately £2.5 billion (around $3.2 billion). This move marks the completion of Pfizer’s divestment process, following a series of transactions that saw the company shed its interests in the consumer health segment.

In 2021, Pfizer announced its intention to spin off its Consumer Healthcare business, which included well-known brands such as Advil, Centrum, and Lysine, into a separate, publicly traded company. The move was seen as a strategic decision to focus on Pfizer’s core pharmaceutical business.

The latest sale, valued at £2.5 billion, represents Pfizer’s final stake in Haleon, which was previously known as Wyeth. This bring-together enables Pfizer to unlock the value of the consumer healthcare business and increase its financial flexibility. Haleon is now an independent company listed on the Euronext Amsterdam and the SIX Swiss Exchange.

Throughout the process, Pfizer has sold various parts of its portfolio to several buyers, including 3G Capital, which purchased a 17.6% stake in Haleon for $12.6 billion in 2021. Other investors, such as KKR, also participated in the divestment.

The sale of its final stake in Haleon has generated a significant cash inflow for Pfizer, which it can use for various purposes, including the pursuit of acquisitions, debt repayment, or investments in new areas. By focusing on its pharmaceutical business, Pfizer can concentrate on developing innovative medicines and therapies, which is critical to its long-term growth and survival in a highly competitive market.

In conclusion, Pfizer’s decision to sell its final stake in Haleon demonstrates its commitment to its pharmaceutical core business and its confidence in its ability to generate value for shareholders. The company can now redirect its focus on innovative research and development, cancer, and rare disease treatment, while also benefiting from the increased financial flexibility provided by the deal.