Who Owns Viatris Company?

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Who Owns Viatris?

Viatris Inc. was formed on November 16, 2020, through the combination of Mylan N.V. and Pfizer's Upjohn business. This strategic move aimed to enhance global access to medicines.

The company's name, derived from Latin, signifies its dedication to expanding access, innovating for patients, and fostering trust. Viatris offers a broad range of branded, generic, and biosimilar products.

As of August 18, 2025, Viatris has a market capitalization of approximately $12.44 billion. In 2024, the company generated US$14.7 billion in revenue and employed around 32,000 people worldwide. Understanding its ownership is key to grasping its strategic direction and governance.

The ownership of Viatris is primarily held by its shareholders, with significant stakes often concentrated among institutional investors. These entities, such as investment management firms and mutual funds, play a crucial role in the company's governance and long-term strategy. For a deeper understanding of the external factors influencing the company, one might explore its Viatris PESTEL Analysis.

Viatris Inc. was not founded in the traditional sense but emerged from a significant transaction on November 16, 2020. This event combined Mylan and Pfizer's Upjohn business, creating a new entity with a distinct ownership structure from its inception. The origins of its predecessor companies, Mylan and Upjohn, trace back much further.

Mylan's Genesis

Mylan began in 1961 with a mission to provide accessible medicines. It later became a publicly traded company in 1972.

Upjohn's Background

Upjohn was a long-standing division of Pfizer. Pfizer spun it off as a separate entity in 2018.

The Viatris Merger

The creation of Viatris involved a 'Reverse Morris Trust' transaction. This combined Mylan and Pfizer's Upjohn business.

Initial Ownership Distribution

Pfizer stockholders received approximately 57% of Viatris shares. Mylan shareholders received approximately 43%.

Share Exchange Details

Pfizer shareholders received about 0.124079 Viatris shares per Pfizer share. Mylan shareholders received one Viatris share for each Mylan share.

Founding Vision

The combined entity aimed to enhance access to high-quality medicines globally. This vision was shared by executives from both former companies.

The formation of Viatris through the combination of Mylan and Pfizer's Upjohn business meant that its initial ownership was directly tied to the existing shareholders of these two large, public companies. There were no traditional early-stage investors or private funding rounds involved at its inception. At the close of the transaction, Pfizer stockholders held approximately 57% of Viatris's outstanding shares, while Mylan shareholders owned approximately 43% on a fully diluted basis. This structure directly reflects the contributions and shareholder bases of the merging entities, establishing the Viatris company ownership from its very beginning. Understanding this unique formation is key to grasping the Viatris stock ownership breakdown and who owns Viatris today.

Key Aspects of Viatris's Formation and Early Ownership

Viatris's inception was a result of a strategic merger, not a traditional founding. The initial Viatris ownership structure was determined by the shareholders of its predecessor companies.

• Viatris was formed on November 16, 2020.
• The company was created by combining Mylan and Pfizer's Upjohn business.
• Pfizer shareholders initially owned approximately 57% of Viatris.
• Mylan shareholders initially owned approximately 43% of Viatris.
• The transaction was structured as a 'Reverse Morris Trust'.
• This event shaped the Viatris corporate structure and Viatris ownership from the outset.

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Viatris commenced trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on November 17, 2020, following its formation from the merger of Mylan and Pfizer's Upjohn division. This significant event created a new entity with an initial market capitalization forecast of approximately $24 billion, fundamentally altering its ownership landscape.

The ownership structure of Viatris is predominantly characterized by substantial institutional holdings, a common trait for large, publicly traded corporations. As of August 18, 2025, the company's market capitalization was $12.44 billion. Major institutional investors, including The Vanguard Group, Inc., BlackRock, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., collectively held approximately 83.14% of Viatris's shares in April 2025. Insider ownership, representing shares held by company executives and directors, stood at around 0.51% during the same period. This broad institutional backing indicates a wide distribution of ownership among investment management firms.

Strategic Divestitures Impacting Viatris Ownership

Viatris has undertaken significant portfolio optimization through strategic divestitures, impacting its corporate structure and ownership focus. These actions are part of its 'Phase 1' commitments to streamline operations and enhance its market position.

• Divestiture of the Over-the-Counter (OTC) business completed in July 2024 for up to $2.17 billion.
• Sale of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) business in India concluded in June 2024.
• The Women's Healthcare business was divested in March 2024.
• These divestitures, totaling approximately $3.6 billion, aim to strengthen the balance sheet and focus resources on core therapeutic areas.
• These strategic moves influence the overall Viatris company ownership and its future growth trajectory, as detailed in its Brief History of Viatris.

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Viatris Inc. is governed by a Board of Directors comprising executive, shareholder-affiliated, and independent members. As of August 2025, the board includes Mark Parrish, W. Don Cornwell, Frank D'Amelio, JoEllen Lyons Dillon, Elisha Finney, Leo Groothuis, James M. Kilts, Harry Korman, Rajiv Malik, Richard Mark, Michael Severino, David Simmons, and Scott A. Smith, who also serves as CEO.

Recent board composition changes include the appointments of Frank D'Amelio and Michael Severino, M.D., on May 5, 2025, and David Simmons on August 5, 2025, bringing enhanced pharmaceutical and executive expertise. Conversely, directors Rajiv Malik and Harry Korman are set to retire in December 2025. Viatris operates with a single class of common stock, where each share carries one vote, and shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights. Director elections require a majority of votes cast for approval. The company's governance framework, detailed in its Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, outlines director and shareholder rights, with the board utilizing seven standing committees for oversight.

Viatris Ownership and Governance

Understanding Viatris ownership involves recognizing its publicly traded status and the structure of its board. The company's voting power is based on a straightforward one-share, one-vote system.

• Viatris is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
• Voting power is distributed via a single class of common stock.
• Shareholders do not possess cumulative voting rights.
• Director elections require a majority of votes cast.
• The board has seven standing committees for operational oversight.
• Recent board appointments aim to strengthen pharmaceutical expertise.
• The Target Market of Viatris is influenced by its strategic direction set by the board.

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Viatris has undergone significant strategic realignments over the past three to five years, impacting its ownership trends. These shifts include a series of divestitures and a focus on capital return to shareholders, all contributing to its evolving corporate structure. Understanding these developments is key to grasping the current Viatris ownership landscape.

The company's capital allocation strategy prioritizes shareholder returns, evidenced by its substantial share repurchase program and dividend payments. Viatris has actively repurchased shares, with plans to continue this throughout 2025, aiming to enhance shareholder value. Leadership transitions and board refreshment are also ongoing, aligning with the company's strategic objectives for growth and efficiency.

Shareholder Capital Return

Viatris has a $2.0 billion share repurchase program. By May 2024, $500 million had been repurchased. Year-to-date as of August 7, 2025, over $350 million in share repurchases were reported.

Strategic Divestitures

Divestitures of non-core assets, including OTC, API, and Women's Healthcare businesses, generated approximately $3.6 billion. These proceeds are being used for debt reduction and capital returns.

Leadership and Governance

Scott A. Smith is the current CEO. Ongoing board refreshment includes new director appointments and planned retirements for long-serving members in late 2025.

Future Growth Strategy

The company's 'Phase 2' plan focuses on commercial execution and pipeline advancement. Viatris aims to offset revenue declines from established brands with new product launches and potential M&A activities, as detailed in the Competitors Landscape of Viatris.

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