Shares in Sanofi-Aventis SA are trading near a low for the year amid new reports that the French pharmaceutical giant is close to launching an $18 billion takeover offer for U.S. biotechnology firm Genzyme Corp.
Sanofi-Aventis
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Flu vaccines on the way earlier than usual
Two flu vaccine makers said Friday that they had started shipping supplies for the U.S. market, one of the earliest starts to distributing seasonal influenza vaccine.
And U.S. officials said they were changing the labeling on a vaccine made by Australia’s CSL Ltd. because it appears to have caused a higher than usual rate of seizures in children. Get the full story »
Sources: Sanofi preparing major U.S. acquisition
From Bloomberg | Sources familiar with the situation say that French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis SA is preparing a major acquisition in the U.S. Acquisitions allow big drugmakers to replenish their supply of newer drugs and cut costs by combining sales forces. One analyst believes that Sanofi may want to consider diversifying by buying Mead Johnson Nutrition Co., a maker of infant formula that was spun off from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. last year. Other acquisition targets might include Mylan Inc., the biggest U.S. maker of generic drugs, and Hospira Inc.