Private equity finds appetite for pharmaceuticals

LONDON (Reuters) – Private equity — traditionally wary of the complex drugs sector — is increasingly scanning the pharmaceuticals industry for value, suggesting scope for sizeable buyouts in 2007.

Dutch-based Akzo Nobel (AKZO.AS: Quote, Profile , Research) is talking to at least two buyout groups interested in its Organon BioSciences division, while financial sponsors are among those likely to bid for Merck KGaA of Germany’s (MRCG.DE: Quote, Profile , Research) generic drugs unit, people familiar with the plans said this week.

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