Unilever pursues GSK-Pfizer unit after huge bid rebuffed

Consumer goods giant Unilever on Monday revealed ongoing interest in a consumer health care unit owned by pharmaceutical groups GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer after a bid of 50 billion ($68 billion) was refused.

British group GSK said at the weekend that it had received three unsolicited offers from Unilever for GSK Consumer Healthcare, but were rejected for being too low.

The unit's products include Sensodyne toothpaste, pain relief drug Panadol and cold treatment Theraflu.

"GSK Consumer Healthcare would be a strong strategic fit," British company Unilever said in a statement as it unveiled a strategy update in the wake of the weekend's takeover news.

"Unilever's future strategic direction lies in materially expanding its presence in health, beauty and hygiene," it said.