Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Merck had already received preliminary offers from suitors for its consumer health business, to the tune of $10 billion.
Now, Reuters is exclusively reporting that, according to sources familiar with the matter, Bayer AG, Novartis, Procter & Gamble Co. and Reckitt Benckiser Group are all currently exploring a deal for Merck's consumer healthcare business.
The potential sale price is now estimated to be between $10-12 billion. Merck is reportedly interested in selling the unit in its entirety, not in parts.
Read the Reuters exclusive press release