Eli Lilly may sell its animal health business

Eli Lilly & Co. has attracted interest from private equity firms including Bain Capital and Advent International Corp. for its animal health business, as the pharmaceutical giant considers options for the ailing unit, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Carlyle Group may also consider bidding for Elanco, as the unit is known, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the matter isn’t public. Considerations are at an early stage and Lilly may choose to keep the business or pursue a spinoff, they said. Elanco could be valued at $14 billion to $16 billion, according to JPMorgan Chase estimates from December, when Lilly said it was weighing an initial public offering, sale or merger of the unit.

“We do not comment on market rumors or deal speculation,” said Mark Taylor, a spokesman for Indianapolis-based Lilly. “We are still reviewing strategic alternatives for our Elanco Animal Health business.”

Representatives for Bain, Advent and Carlyle declined to comment.

Several health-care companies are examining options for their animal health business as they seek to replicate the success of Zoetis Inc., whose shares have almost tripled in value since it separated from Pfizer in 2013. Henry Schein, a Melville, New York-based medical supplier for doctors and dentists, said Monday that it will spin off its animal unit after combining it with closely held Vets First Choice.

On Tuesday, Lilly said that first-quarter sales at Elanco fell 1 percent year-over-year to $761 million, hit mainly by a decrease in sales to the livestock industry.