28th Apr 2014 08:20
BASEL (Alliance News) - Merck & Co. Inc. is in final discussions to sell its consumer healthcare unit for about USD14 billion, according to media reports.
German conglomerate Bayer AG and U.K-based Consumer goods giant Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC. each offered around USD14 billion or over EUR10 billion for the unit, the reports said.
Swiss drug giant Novartis AG and the US consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble co. are said to have interest.
Merck has bundled in this business, among other foot care products of the brand Scholl's and Coppertone sunscreen products of the brand. The transaction could go ahead as early as next week, with the talks apparently close to completion, the reports said.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
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