GERMANY - Carlyle looking at Merck generics unit

The Carlyle Group is rumoured to be considering a bid for the generics business of German Chemical-pharmaceutical company Merck. The sale of the division is expected to attract further private equity firms, with Bain Capital, Apax Partners, KKR and Warburg Pincus said to be preparing a bid. Additionally, strategic investors like Icelandic Actavis, Israeli Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Indian Ranbaxy Laboratories and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories are said to be potential bidders.