Here's a little more detail - along with a price.
By Niclas Mika and Quentin Webb AMSTERDAM/LONDON, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Wyeth withdrew from talks to acquire Dutch vaccine-maker Crucell on Monday, sending Crucell's shares tumbling, as the U.S. drugmaker's own $68 billion takeover by Pfizer neared agreement.
A source familiar with the matter said Crucell had only talked to Wyeth because of an 'extremely attractive' proposal of at least 20 euros a share, and it was not actively seeking an alternative buyer. Crucell declined to comment.
Shares in Crucell fell as much as 23 percent but later trimmed losses. They stood 16 percent lower at 13.035 euros a share by 1337 GMT.
Hours after Crucell said its talks with Wyeth had been discontinued, Pfizer, the world's largest drugmaker, said it would buy Wyeth for about $68 billion, helping it diversify its revenue base.
The Leiden-based Crucell is one of the world's few remaining independent vaccine makers. Its shares leapt after it revealed earlier this month it was talking to Wyeth, but then fell last week on fears that a Pfizer-Wyeth tie-up could scupper the deal.
Another major drugmaker such as Novartis or Sanofiv-Aventis could be interested in Crucell but it would not formally put itself up for sale, the source added.
'The only reason (Crucell) opened up the discussions is because what was considered an extremely attractive offer was put on the table,' the source said.
Shares in Sanofi fell 2.1 percent on talk it could bid for Crucell, traders said. A spokesman declined to comment.
A 20-euro-per-share bid for Crucell would value the company's stock at more than 1.3 billion euros.
Speaking on CNBC, Pfizer Inc Chairman and Chief Executive Jeff Kindler declined to comment on whether Pfizer would now seek to acquire Crucell... |
