Novartis AG is in talks with Merck & Co Inc to exchange its animal-health and human vaccines businesses for the drugmaker's over-the-counter health-products unit, Bloomberg reported, quoting people familiar with the matter. The two drugmakers may each trade about $5 billion in assets as part of the trade, the report said. ()The Swiss drugmaker was ready to sell its animal health subsidiary and opened its books to Bayer and other rivals for the establishment that could change hands for more than 3 billion euros ($4.1 billion), sources familiar with the matter had told Reuters last month.Drugmakers are shedding businesses and cutting costs due to overseas price controls and pressure on payments from insurers and the government. Pfizer Inc completed a spin off of its animal health products business in June.Novartis has not finalized a deal with Merck, and may choose another option, Bloomberg said.
Merck & Co., Inc. (Merck) is a global health care company that delivers health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products, which it markets directly and through its joint ventures. Shares of MRK fell by 0.64% or $-0.32/share to $49.79. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $40.83 and as high as $50.42. On average, 12390800 shares of MRK exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 13695685.
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 traded higher by 0.3% or $0.24/share to $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 1078049.
Pfizer Inc. (Pfizer) is a research-based, global biopharmaceutical company. Shares of PFE traded higher by 0.68% or $0.21/share to $30.95. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $26.34 and as high as $32.50. On average, 25109500 shares of PFE exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 22925752.
Source
