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US: Bidding wars rise for global over-the-counter purchase

By  |  April 9, 2014

Pharmaceutical giants are vying to acquire the over-the-counter operations of US-based Merck & Co., but according to reports, one company is favorite to come out victorious.

UK-based Reckitt Benckiser is seen by some experts to likely face less antitrust resistance over competing bidders, which include giants like Novartis, Bayer and Sanofi. Sources say the bidding is likely to top $12 billion.

Bids for the company, which manufacturers popular products like Coppertone sunblock and Claritin allergy medicine, are due April 16, the sources said. Reckitt Benckiser surprised the industry in 2012 with its surprise bid for Schiff Nutrition, eventually beating out Bayer for the assets.

Full Content: Businessweek

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