Amgen Inc., the world’s largest biotechnology company, is considering a takeover offer for Actelion Ltd. to gain new medicines for rare diseases, and may approach the Swiss drugmaker as early as this week, said two people with knowledge of the matter.
Actelion and its advisers recently learned of a potential bid from Amgen, said one of the people, who declined to be named because the process is private. As a defensive measure, Chief Executive Officer Jean-Paul Clozel has discussed asking Roche Holding AG, Johnson & Johnson and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. to consider taking a minority stake, they said. Clozel, who has said he wants the company he founded to stay independent, has contacted Roche, one person said. Actelion rose 9.1 percent in Swiss trading. (snip)
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