Merck explores $15 billion-plus drug portfolio sale

Merck & Co Inc is considering selling a big portfolio of mature drugs that could fetch more than $15 billion, according to people familiar with the matter, as the U.S. drugmaker continues to streamline businesses to focus on high-growth areas.

Merck, which is also in the process of selling its $14 billion consumer healthcare unit, is working with an investment bank on the potential sale of the off-patent drugs, which could draw interest from generic drugmakers, the people said.

Merck's off-patent drugs are called "diversified brands" and many are sold in emerging markets.

The sale processes underscore efforts by large drugmakers to shed smaller divisions they view as non-core so they can better focus on their mainstay products. They have shown new willingness to consider large asset swaps with rivals to exit weaker businesses and bolster core areas where they are already top players.


So Merck is looking to move Animal Health, Consumer Care and diversified brands. We don't need the money. We are cutting R&D. All three are easy money generators. High growth areas are crowded. I am having a tough time finding the endpoint.

 

what are the mature brands? zetia, nasonex, asmanex, dulera, etc?

 

How about building up a cash pile to buy someone? AZ anyone?

 

Yeah, let's jettison some of our older portfolio for cash and buy someone. Buying other companies, whether they are big or small, has proven to be a successful strategy for Merck. Perhaps the next spin of the wheel of fortune will work out for us. Keep dreaming, oh what a feeling.