U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc could make a public declaration of its interest in Britain's second-biggest drugmaker, AstraZeneca Plc, as early as this week, the Financial Times said, citing sources. The paper, citing people familiar with the matter, said the U.S. company had approached AstraZeneca in the past week what would be one of the global drug industry's largest ever deals.AstraZeneca failed to comment and Pfizer could not be reached outside of regular business hours.Going public could put pressure on AstraZeneca's board to engage in talks, the FT added. (link.reuters.com/ryx78v)On Thursday, the British firm declined to comment about a newspaper report that said it had spurned a 60 billion pound ($100.87 billion) bid approach from Pfizer earlier this year.
AstraZeneca PLC (AstraZeneca) is a global biopharmaceutical company. Shares of AZN fell by 0.51% or $-0.35/share to $68.66. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $46.87 and as high as $70.71. On average, 2448110 shares of AZN exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 1979126.
Pfizer Inc. (Pfizer) is a research-based, global biopharmaceutical company. Shares of PFE traded higher by 0.13% or $0.04/share to $30.75. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $27.12 and as high as $32.96. On average, 28547900 shares of PFE exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 18669530.
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