Despite being the target of bizarre government claims, Tylenol still has value to the industry.

On Monday, consumer goods and personal care corporation Kimberly-Clark announced that it will acquire Kenvue in a deal that is valued at roughly $48.7 billion. According to CBS News,¹ Kenvue shareholders will receive $3.50 and about 0.14 of a Kimberly-Clark share for each Kenvue share they own.

What are the details of Kimberly-Clark's plan to acquire Kenvue?

Once the deal closes, Kimberly-Clark expects to own about 54% of Kenvue shares.

In a press release,² Kimberly-Clark chairman and chief executive officer Mike Hsu said, “We are excited to bring together two iconic companies to create a global health and wellness leader. Kenvue is uniquely positioned at the intersection of CPG and healthcare, with exceptional talent and a differentiated brand offering serving attractive consumer health categories. With a shared commitment to developing science and technology to provide extraordinary care, we will serve billions of consumers across every stage of life.”

Hsu continued, “Over the last several years, Kimberly-Clark has undertaken a significant transformation to pivot our portfolio to higher-growth, higher-margin businesses while rewiring our organization to work smarter and faster. We have built the foundation, and this transaction is a powerful next step in our journey. We look forward to working with the Kenvue team to bring these companies together and are confident that we will drive significant value for our combined shareholders.”

Aside from Tylenol, Kenvue’s portfolio includes Band-Aid, Benadryl, Listerine, and other wellness products. Kimberly-Clark owns brands such as Kleenex, Huggies, Kotex, and other personal hygiene products.

Larry Merlo, Kenvue Chair of the Board, also said in the press release, “Following the Board’s comprehensive review of strategic alternatives for Kenvue, we are pleased to have reached this agreement with Kimberly-Clark that delivers significant upfront value for our shareholders and substantial upside potential through ownership in the combined company. Bringing together Kenvue and Kimberly-Clark creates a uniquely positioned global leader in consumer health with a broader range of new growth opportunities ahead. We are excited about this next chapter for Kenvue and confident this combination represents the best path forward for our shareholders and all other stakeholders.”

Kenvue CEO Kirk Perry added, “Our combination with Kimberly-Clark unites two highly complementary portfolios filled with iconic, beloved brands and everyday essentials that people trust and count on throughout their lives. Our teams share a passion for delivering science-backed solutions that play a meaningful role in homes and communities around the world. Together, our combined strengths, expanded capabilities and resources, and broader reach will empower us to innovate even faster and strengthen our category leadership. We truly believe this transaction with Kimberly-Clark will bring greater value to our shareholders, create new and different potential growth opportunities for our talented employees and deliver even more benefits to our customers and consumers.”

The news comes as a surprise to the industry, as Kenvue’s brand Tylenol is embroiled in a controversy with the United States government and the Trump administration. The President has previously made claims that the pain killer can increase the risk of autism, although medical experts have pushed back against these claims.

Most recently, the state of Texas filed a lawsuit against Kenvue (and its former owner Johnson & Johnson) which alleges that the two companies purposely mislead customers about the apparent risk of autism (which, once again, has not been proven to exist and experts refute).

Sources

1. Kimberly-Clark to acquire Tylenol maker Kenvue in $48.7 billion deal. CBS News. November 3, 2025. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kenvue-kimberly-clark-acquisition-tylenol/
2. Kimberly-Clark to Acquire Kenvue, Creating a $32 Billion Global Health and Wellness Leader. Kimberly Clark. November 3, 2025. https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6900e009012b881706adcfd8/690845afb9b9022ffef14215_4b0eecd1593f254fb7032b3911cc7804_KMB-KVUE%20Transaction%20Press%20Release.pdf