now have even a stronger financial profile, I think, in a league that is, I think, in a brand new league thats being created right now between what were doing, what Merck is doing,
with its spinoff. I do think were creating a little bit of a new play here.
So not only do we strengthen our balance sheet, not only do we double
our [adjusted] EBITDA and cash flows, but it really allowed us to, once and for all, change the business model to a much more shareholder-friendly capital allocation, and beginning with reinstituting the dividend. As you know, Mylans paid
dividends in its 60-year history for a long, long time, and its when we started down a process that when we bought Merck that we discontinued the dividend. So we are extremely excited to reinstitute the
dividend, committing at least 25% of our free cash flows. And we think that there is enough excess cash flows for us to continue to execute with a tremendous amount of opportunity.
And so were really excited to be able to deliver to our shareholders, you know, once and for all, the value proposition, not just the creation of a true
global platform that I think is set up for success for decades to come on a more sustainable basis, but a real opportunity to really create total shareholder return through multiple expansion and return of capital to shareholders.
RANDALL STANICKY: Rob, is there any way this deal doesnt close?
ROBERT COURY: I dont see it. I just dont see it. I look, you have two equal organizations that are motivated for very different reasons to
want to get this deal done. I really want to commend Albert and Frank for their direct involvement. Im working very, very closely with them. And I look, when you got two parties that are really driven to get a deal done for, again, for
their own best interest reasons, then theres no reason why its not going to get done.
I even think that, you know, I think once we get
through the shareholder vote, all well have left is the remaining regulatory approvals, and we are working diligently to be able to get that done. I think that the COVID situation was unfortunate, but Ill be honest with you, Randall,
there are some silver linings in it. We certainly, I mean, the regulatory agencies themselves, because people had to leave Washington, D.C., asked for extensions. Obviously, we cooperated with their extensions.
But we also benefited from the extensions. I think we benefit in many ways. I think it allowed us to it certainly allowed Rajiv, Michael, and Sanjeev to
continue to coalesce, develop a strong alliance and allegiance with one another as they get ready for day one. And I do think even for people underneath them, from an integration perspective, I do think Im seeing and feeling a much higher
quality integration as a result of the extra time.
RANDALL STANICKY: So, look, I like the deal, and I think it positions you guys well. Theres two
issues I think that the stock is struggling with, and both are shorter term in nature. Number one is that roughly 57% of Viatris is going to go to Pfizer shareholders, and some or many of those could sell the stock. And number two, the 2021 outlook,
theres still some debate.
You know, just hitting on those, on the first point, Pfizers indicated that its likely to use straight
distribution. Is that, is that your understanding at this point? And is there any other way to think