Novartis Boosts Sandoz Generic Business With Acquisition Of Eon, Hexal

Addition of U.S., German companies will make Sandoz the global leader in generic sales, with combined 2004 pro forma revenues of $5.1 bil., Novartis says. Acquisition will enable Sandoz to become the "preferred partner" for "authorized" generic deals and to play a leading role in development of follow-on biologics.