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( | | | ) to buy the U.S. rights to over-the-counter Zantac product line for $509.

5 million in cash. The deal is subject to review and approval by the Federal Trade Commission, as well as Johnson Johnson's acquisition of the Consumer Healthcare business of Pfizer, which is expected to close by the end of 2006. Under the terms of the deal, Boehringer Ingelheim will acquire all rights, title and interest in the OTC Zantac product brand in the United States.

Zantac is used to prevent heartburn, acid indigestion and sour stomach, and also can relieve such problems after onset. The Zantac OTC is being divested in order to facilitate FTC approval of Johnson Johnson's pending acquisition of Pfizer's Consumer Healthcare business. In June, Johnson Johnson signed a deal to buy Pfizer's Consumer Healthcare business for $16.

6 billion in cash. J. Martin Carroll, president and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim Corp.

, said, "Zantac is an excellent strategic fit that complements our existing OTC franchise and provides us with leading brands in the two largest gastrointestinal categories - acid reducers and laxatives." Zantac will be distributed through the same retail channels as Boehringer Ingelheim's current Dulcolax business. Dulcolax is the company's flagship OTC product.

Boehringer Ingelheim said there will be no disruption to customers of Zantac as the company will quickly integrate the Zantac brand into its product portfolio. The Consumer Health Care business is one of the core businesses of Boehringer Ingelheim Corp., which is widely known outside the United States for its products such as Buscopan, Bisolvon, Mucosolvan, Antistax and Mucoangin.

The Zantac deal takes Johnson Johnson and Pfizer one step forward to close the sale of Pfizer's Consumer Healthcare business. Pfizer is selling its consumer products division in order to focus more on its pharmaceutical business and enhance shareholder value. On the other hand, Johnson Johnson anticipates the Pfizer Consumer Healthcare business will add a diverse portfolio of strong, growing, enduring brands that would provide Johnson Johnson with leadership positions in nine additional categories, including large new segments such as smoking cessation and mouthwash.

JNJ shares closed Thursday's regular trading session at $64.84, down 26 cents and lost a penny in after hours trading, while Pfizer shares closed Thursday's regular trading session at $27.65, up 36 cents or 1.

32%.