Merck KGaA May Sell Generics Business

German chemicals and pharmaceutical company Merck KGaA may sell its generic unit division in a deal that could be worth over 4 billion euros ($5.3 billion), the Handelslatt newspaper reported Thursday. The sale could help it focus on innovative drugs and also slash its debt burden after buying biotech Serono, the report said. According to the report, private-equity buyers may be interested, noting their involvement in Nycomed's acquisition of Altana's pharmaceutical business. Teva Pharmaceutical and the Sandoz unit of Novartis also may have interest, though they would have to contend with antitrust concerns, the report said. Merck KGaA is not affiliated with the American drugmaker Merck & Co.

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