Merck, Sun Pharma eyeing India marketing tie-up?

US drugmaker Merck & Co is close to striking a marketing alliance with Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd for the Indian market, the Mint reported on Monday.

The partnership between Sun and MSD Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, the Indian arm of the US drugmaker, could either be a marketing joint venture or a co-marketing tie-up, the newspaper said citing sources it did not name. An announcement was likely on Monday, it said, adding officials at both the companies declined comment. In January, German drugmaker Bayer signed an agreement with India's Cadila Healthcare to set up a joint veture to market products locally.