Report: Fosun in bid for $2B in Novartis assets

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. (Shanghai:600196; HKSE:2196) and Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS; SIX:NOVN) declined to comment on a report that Fosun is a shortlisted bidder for a portfolio of Novartis' assets, including the pharma’s U.S. dermatology business, that could sell for as much as $2 billion. The Bloomberg report also named CVC Capital Partners, Apollo Global Management and Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. (NSE:AUROPHARMA; BSE:524804) as shortlisted bidders.

Novartis spokesperson Eric Althoff told BioCentury if the pharma does divest "certain non-core parts," its remaining U.S. portfolio would include biosimilars, complex generics, and ophthalmic and oncology assets...