France Weighs State Stake in Sanofi Unit Being Sold to CD&R

The French government is looking at options including taking a state holding in the consumer health business that Sanofi is in talks to sell to US buyout firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice, to protect jobs and production in France.

CD&R is nearing the purchase of a 50% controlling stake in the Opella unit after seeing off French rival PAI Partners in a deal that people familiar with the matter have said would value it at about €15 billion ($16.4 billion). The division sells over-the-counter medications, including pain reliever Doliprane, which is the most-used drug in France.

“The commitments we ...