LONDON, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Britain's GlaxoSmithKline has asked its shareholders to vote at a meeting on Dec. 18 onits proposed major deal with Switzerland's Novartis,which will see the two pharmaceutical group trade more than $20billion of assets.
The transaction, which includes GSK buying Novartis'vaccines business, Novartis purchasing GSK's cancer drugs, andthe two groups tying up in consumer healthcare, was unveiled inApril.
In a letter to shareholders endorsing the deal, GSK'schairman Christopher Gent said approval would strengthen itsfranchises in vaccines and consumer healthcare to complement itsleading position in respiratory and HIV.
"This is the most significant transaction for the Companysince the creation of GlaxoSmithKline in 2000," he said.
(Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by Sarah Young)
Glaxosmithkline (GSK)
