Mylan-Upjohn combination to be called Viatris

Mylan and Pfizer have announced that Viatris is the name of the new company to be formed by the planned combination of Mylan and Pfizer's Upjohn division. 

The companies said the Latin-derived name is meant to Viatris embody the new company's goal of providing a path (via) to three (tris) core goals: expanding access to medicines, leading by innovating to meet patient needs, and being a trusted partner for the healthcare community worldwide.

"We wanted a name that would differentiate our new company and clearly explain how we will be a champion for global health," said Robert Coury, who will serve as executive chairman of the new company. "We are creating a company unlike any other — a company focused on building a more hopeful and sustainable healthcare journey, empowering patients to live healthier at every stage of life."

"The name Viatris communicates the strength of our companies' combined heritage and our shared goal to provide the highest-quality medicines to the most patients possible," said Michael Goettler, Upjohn group president, who will serve as CEO of Viatris. "We have an opportunity to deliver better health, better care and better value for patients and partners around the world."

Viatris will unite Upjohn's strong leadership position in China and emerging markets with Mylan's significant presence in the United States and Europe, allowing the new company to have a meaningfully expanded geographic reach for Viatris' broad product portfolio and future pipeline, the companies said.

It is expected that in the coming months, shareholders of Mylan will vote on the proposed combination of Mylan and Upjohn. More information regarding Viatris, including the company's full executive management team, board of directors, stock symbol, and logo will be available at a later date.

Customers and patients will continue to be served by the Mylan and Upjohn brands for the near future, the companies said. The new name will be effective upon closing of the combination, which is expected to occur in mid 2020. The two companies will continue to operate as independent, separate organizations until close.