PHILADELPHIA/FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Sanofi-Aventis has attracted strong initial interest for its animal health operations, with at least four suitors lining up to bid.Bayer Ag, Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim and Novartis Ag were among the bidders eyeing the assets, sources said.It was unclear whether all the suitors will submit formal offers, but each has expressed interest in the assets, which include vaccines and parasiticides.The sources declined to be identified by name because they were not authorized to speak with the media.The assets to be sold come from a complicated formation of mergers and joint ventures.Last year, Merck and Co.’s $46 billion merger with Schering-Plough gave it the latter’s Intervet/Schering Plough Animal Health business. That business is combining with Sanofi’s Merial operations in a joint venture with $5.3 billion in sales.As part of the joint venture’s formation, Sanofi and Merck must shed certain overlapping assets as they await regulatory approval for creating a group that would hold 29 percent of the global animal health market.Sanofi and Merck could sell assets with annual sales of up to $700 million, one source familiar with the situation said.Consultant Vetnosis previously said the areas of overlap include vaccines for livestock, poultry, pets and horses, products to kill parasites and specialty veterinary products such as drugs to treat cardiovascular disorders.It was unclear if Sanofi and Merck would try to sell the assets in one batch or settle for a series of smaller deals.A Boehringer spokeswoman said the company was interested in expanding its animal health operations but she declined to comment on market rumors.In March, sources said Bayer remained eager to boost its animal-health business.Bayer and Novartis declined to comment. Pfizer, Sanofi and Merck could not be reached for comment.
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