Consumer goods giant Kimberly-Clark announced Monday a $48.7 billion (£37.33bn) deal to acquire the major health company Kenvue, whose Tylenol painkiller has faced Trump administration allegations of links to increased autism risks.
Texas-based Kimberly-Clark makes a wide range of paper and cloth products, with brands such as Huggies, Kleenex and Kotex.
Kenvue, in addition to Tylenol, owns a broad array of consumer health brands, from Neutrogena and Listerine, to Band-Aid.
"We are excited to bring together two iconic companies to create a global health and wellness leader," Kimberly-Clark chief executive Mike Hsu said in a statement.
The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2026, the companies said, with Hsu to become chairman and CEO of the combined group.
The companies expect the combined entity to create 2025 annual net revenues of $32 billion.
Kenvue has recently been in the spotlight after allegations by US president Donald Trump and his administration that acetaminophen – known as paracetamol in the UK and the active ingredient in Tylenol – may be linked to increased risk of autism when used by pregnant women and newborns.
Medical groups have long cited acetaminophen as a safe option for reducing fever and pain during pregnancy.
Republican-led Texas filed suit against Kenvue and Johnson & Johnson last week over the allegations.
Kenvue was spun off from Johnson & Johnson's consumer goods brand in 2023.
(AFP)