Novartis eyes; Pfizer considers cashing; Mylan pushes to seal $465M; Valeant with Takeda for deal

Novartis eyes $8B Amneal buy

Novartis is weighing a deal for the generics maker Amneal Pharmaceuticals to expand its already-hefty Sandoz unit, at a time when two of its biggest rivals in the field are integrating big buyouts of their own. The Amneal buy could be worth up to $8 billion. Joerg Reinhardt, chairman of the Swiss drug maker, made the broadest suggestion yet that Alcon’s days under Novartis’ umbrella are numbered. The ophthalmology unit has been struggling in recent quarters, and Reinhardt suggested that Alcon needs to recover soon, or face life under new ownership.

Pfizer considers cashing in on its consumer health business

Rumour mills are going abuzz with the news that Pfizer is considering doing something with its consumer health operations and that it could bring in around $14 billion. However, there is no indication whether Pfizer is thinking of a sale, or a tax-free spinoff like it used for its animal health unit Zoetis, or some kind of an asset swap.

Mylan pushes to seal $465M settlement as it posts a Q3 loss

Mylan executives are working to finalize a $465 million settlement with the federal government for Medicaid overcharges. The deal would see Mylan admit no responsibility but resolve allegations that the company misclassified its big-selling epinephrine injector as a generic. CEO Heather Bresch told analysts on Wednesday that the company is looking for bolt-on deals rather than a big acquisition.

Valeant in talk with Takeda for $10B Salix deal

The Canadian pharma is in advanced talks to sell its Salix gastrointestinal unit to Takeda for about $10 billion. Valeant had acquired Salix just a year and a half ago for about $11 billion, beating out interested suitors Shire and Endo. Meanwhile, the deal-talks news put Valeant shares on the rise just after word of the accounting fraud sent them to their lowest depths since 2010.