LONDON— Unilever PLC said it had approached GlaxoSmithKline PLC and Pfizer Inc. about an acquisition of their consumer-healthcare joint venture, a potential $68 billion deal that would reshape the consumer-products giant’s portfolio at a time when it is under pressure to accelerate growth.
Unilever said in a statement Saturday that the business, known as GSK Consumer Healthcare, was “a leader in the attractive consumer health space” and would be a “strong strategic fit,” though cautioned there was no certainty that any agreement would be reached.