Germany's Merck plans divestment of biosimilars business

Merck KGaA, the German firm that specialises in chemical, pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors, is planning to divest its biosimilars business. “Merck is in advanced stages of negotiations to divest the biosimilars business and the transaction is expected to close in 2017,” said the company in its 2016 annual report. Biosimilar unit comes under Merck’s healthcare business vertical, which also comprises biopharma, consumer health and Allergopharma businesses.

Biosimilars are a small, but fast-growing part of the pharmaceutical market. In 2016, biosimilars sales are expected to reach $ 1.4 billion annually before growing to $ 8 billion in 2022, according to EvaluatePharma.

Merck