Merck KGaA Looks to Sell Consumer Health Biz

Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany, is looking at strategic options for the potential sale of its Consumer Health business.

"We have continued to transform Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, over the last years into a leading science and technology company. Thereby we regularly review our portfolio in the context of our innovation driven strategy. Healthcare largely focuses on its Biopharma pipeline," said Stefan Oschmann, chairman of the executive board and chief executive officer of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

The Consumer Health business includes several leading OTC products and achieved sales of €860 million in 2016. Brands and products include Bion, Femibion, Nasivin, Neurobion, and Seven Seas.

Merck KGaA has been shifting its focus to become a science and technology company with acquisitions of Sigma-Aldrich, AZ Electronic Materials and Millipore, as well as the divestment of its Biosimilars business.