Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) is in talks to buy Swiss medical device maker Synthes (SYST.VX) for $20 billion, according to a report on the Wall Street Journal website, citing people familiar with the matter. A deal at that price would mark an 11 percent premium over Synthes' current market capitalization of around $18 billion. However, the talks were characterized as fragile and could fall apart at any time, one person told the Journal. Synthes shares closed up 6.2 percent in Switzerland, with traders citing market talk that the diversified healthcare company or U.S. medical device maker Medtronic Inc (MDT.N) could be interested in buying the company.
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