18.03.2009

Pfizer

Pfizer may have to shed some of its animal-health business in order to gain antitrust clearance for its planned purchase of Wyeth.
Pfizer has a strong presence in companion and livestock animal-health products, while Wyeth is strong in animal vaccines.
Talks with regulators are ongoing and no decisions have been made. If divestitures are needed, it is unlikely they would account for more than 10 percent of the combined $4 billion in revenue generated last year by the two animal units.
Sanofi-Aventis SA, based in Paris, said last week it wanted to expand its animal unit, and Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly & Co. said in January it was interested in picking up assets that may be divested by Pfizer’s animal business.