Inside sources are reporting that Novartis AG has identified its animal-health business as a top candidate for a sale. Novartis is also considering selling its over-the-counter medicines unit and the vaccines operation, sources said.
Novartis is in the early stages of a portfolio review with Goldman Sachs Group.
Novartis currently has five units: the Alcon eye-care business; pharmaceuticals; vaccines and diagnostics; the Sandoz generic-medicines division; and consumer health, which includes both over-the-counter medicines and animal-health products.