France's Sanofi-Aventis (SASY.PA) and U.S. biotech Genzyme (GENZ.O) are closing in on a major transatlantic drugs merger, but a deal is taking longer than expected, sources close to the matter said on Monday. Following a testy nine-month courtship by Sanofi, the boards of both firms had been expected to meet separately at the weekend to put finishing touches to a takeover worth over $19 billion. Buying Genzyme would add rare diseases as a new growth area for the world's sixth biggest drugmaker which has been diversifying to reduce its exposure to cheaper generic drugs. Until recently Cambridge, Massachusets-based Genzyme had been unwilling to enter negotiations with Sanofi, which responded by launching a hostile $69-a-share public bid in October.
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