Novartis AG is discussing swapping its animal health and human vaccines businesses for Merck & Co Inc's over-the-counter products unit in a deal that could boost earnings at both companies.Healthcare bankers said an asset swap with Merck was the main focus for the Swiss drugmaker as it reviews its portfolio, although an outright sale of animal health or an exchange with other companies were still possible.One of the bankers said Novartis and Merck had been in talks for some time but asset swaps were hard to execute, due to the difficulty of comparing the relative attraction of different businesses.If the hoped-for swap with Merck does not work out, Novartis is likely to opt for a sale or swap with another leading animal health firm, such as Bayer, Zoetis, Sanofi , Eli Lilly or unlisted Boehringer Ingelheim.
Novartis AG provides healthcare solutions. The Company is a multinational group of companies specializing in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of a range of healthcare products led by pharmaceuticals. Shares of NVS remained unchanged at $79.71. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $64.52 and as high as $80.55. On average, 1291050 shares of NVS exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 313.
Sanofi SA, formerly Sanofi-Aventis, is a global and diversified healthcare company based in France. Shares of SNY remained unchanged at $51.08. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $44.50 and as high as $55.94. On average, 1305230 shares of SNY exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 1490.
Source
