15.01.2014

The Swiss drugmaker is leaning toward a sale or spinoff of its animal health unit as a first move toward a slimmer, more focused company.
Sources indicated that Novartis may be interested in exchanging its animal health division with one of Merck & Co.'s assets opposed to selling the unit. Novartis would like to swap the unit for an asset that bolsters its position in an area where it is already a leader. the Swiss drugmaker is leaning toward a sale or spinoff of its animal health unit as a first move toward a slimmer, more focused company.