Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG said it would sell the dermatology and generic US oral solids portfolios of Sandoz US to India′s Aurobindo Pharma Ltd for $900 million, as the company looks to focus on higher growth areas. The deal also includes about 300 products and additional development projects of Sandoz and an additional $100 million in performance-based payments, Novartis said. Richard Francis, CEO, Sandoz, said: "Through this transaction, we are refocusing our business but also striving to ensure continuity of supply of important long-used generic medicines for patients and customers in the US.” Following the transaction, the Sandoz US portfolio will continue to be substantial, and will include biosimilars, value-added medicines and complex generics such as injectables, respiratory and ophthalmics, the company said. N Govindarajan, Managing Director, Aurobindo Pharma, said: "Overall the transaction will position Aurobindo as the 2nd largest dermatology player and the 2nd largest generics company in the US by prescriptions.” As part of the transaction, Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc, a unit of the Hyderabad, India-based company, will acquire the plants in Wilson, North Carolina, as well as Hicksville and Melville, New York, Novartis said.