Nestle eyed biggest-ever deal in aborted move for GSK unit

Nestle made informal overtures to express interest in the GSK unit around the same time as Unilever Plc’s £50 billion ($63 billion) bid for the business that failed in January. Picture: Stefan Wermuth.

For a fleeting moment, Nestle SA explored what would have been its biggest-ever deal in a move that underscores the consumer giant’s ambition to grow through large acquisitions.

The Swiss company floated the idea in recent months of acquiring GSK Plc’s consumer health arm, people with knowledge of the matter said. It made informal overtures to express interest in the GSK unit around the same time as Unilever Plc’s £50 billion ($63 billion) bid for the business that failed in January, the people said.