DHR Danaher Corporation

By Dana Mattioli, Dana Cimilluca and Thomas Gryta 

Danaher Corp. recently expressed interest in a deal for General Electric Co.'s life- sciences business, but GE didn't engage and isn't interested in a deal, according to people familiar with the matter.

The structure of the proposed transaction couldn't be learned, and the people said there are no active discussions. GE's life-sciences business, which had about $4.6 billion in revenue last year, sells lab supplies such as blood-collection kits as well as equipment for biotechnology drug production and research.

Given how much life-sciences businesses have fetched in recent deals and analyst estimates, it could be valued at more than $20 billion.

The abortive approach is one of a number GE has received for various businesses of late as competitors seek to gain advantage from its weakness, and shows how the once-mighty company's fortunes have shifted.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 25, 2018 16:12 ET (20:12 GMT)

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