French Bristol-Myers chief flattered by questions about Sanofi merger |
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Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:41
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PARIS (AFX) - Stephane Thiroloix, managing director of Bristol-Myers Squibb France, said he was flattered by questions about a possible merger with Sanofi-Aventis, though he declined to comment on a rumour that the two companies have already signed an agreement to merge.'The fact that Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi-Aventis already have a long-standing partnership for very important products of both companies means that the question about a tie-up is regularly posed by analysts. It's a natural process,' and the questions 'flatter me,' Thiroloix said.'We do not comment on rumours,' he added. Thiroloix, also a vice-president for BMS Europe, was speaking at a conference in Agen, France.Yesterday, the Lettre de l'Expansion newsletter cited unnamed sources as saying Sanofi and BMS last week signed a 'pre-merger' agreement and could announce an agreed deal in the coming weeks.Asked about the possibility of acquiring biotechnology companies, a trend among large pharmaceutical companies looking for new drugs to help develop, Thiroloix said BMS is always looking at partnership possibilities with both biotechs and other groups.paris@afxnews.comafp/js/jsaCOPYRIGHTCopyright AFX News Limited 2006. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited
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Mergers and acquisitions highlights to 09:20 GMT 