Contrast developers Bracco Imaging and Guerbet are eyeing a possible acquisition of the radiology division of Bayer HealthCare, according to a report published on December 7 by Reuters.
Reports surfaced in June 2016 that Bayer was pondering a sale of the division, which makes contrast agents such as Gadavist and Magnevist for MRI and Ultravist for CT. The division generates annual revenues of about 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion), and an acquisition deal would be valued between 2.7 billion and 4 billion euros ($2.9 billion and $3.7 billion), according to Reuters.
In the most recent article, Reuters reported that Bracco is working with an investment bank to find a partner for the division in a joint offer. French contrast firm Guerbet is working on a similar offer and has also been in discussions with partners, according to Reuters.
While Bayer has not yet made a definitive decision to sell the division, it has retained Goldman Sachs as an advisor and sent information to potential suitors. The actual sales process would be expected to start in 2017. Another option for Bayer would be to sell the division to a private investment firm, Reuters reported.
Bayer has been selling off various divisions in healthcare to narrow its focus in the market to prescription pharmaceuticals and consumer care products, according to Reuters. The company sold its blood glucose meter business to Panasonic Healthcare Holdings in 2015 and its vascular catheter business to Boston Scientific in 2014. It is also rumored to be selling off its dermatology business.
![Axial images from unenhanced calcium score cardiac CT (left) and curved planar reformation images from CT angiography (right) show that higher long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with greater coronary artery calcium and more obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Top row: Images in a 68-year-old male patient with higher 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (7.9 μg/m3 for particulate matter measuring ≤2.5 μm in diameter [PM2.5] and 17.4 parts per billion [ppb] for NO2) with extensive CAD (coronary artery calcium score [CACS] >1,000 and obstructive CAD [≥70% diameter stenosis]). Bottom row: Images in a 57-year-old female patient with lower 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (6.3 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and 4.6 ppb for NO2) with no CAD (CACS = 0 and no obstructive stenosis).](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/06/hanneman.r6SMLzkezo.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
