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Novartis CEO plays down prospects for Actelion bid: Blick

Novartis Chief Executive Joe Jimenez has played down suggestions the Swiss drugmaker could bid for Swiss biotech group Actelion, which is in talks with U.S. healthcare group Johnson & Johnson about a transaction. Asked by Swiss Sunday newspaper SonntagsBlick whether Novartis could emerge as a white knight, he said: "We have always said that we will concentrate on complementary acquisitions in the range of $2 billion to $5 billion." He did not elaborate. Actelion is worth nearly $20 billion at Friday's closing price.

elegant December 4, 2016

Novartis Chief Executive Joe Jimenez has played down suggestions the Swiss drugmaker could bid for Swiss biotech group Actelion, which is in talks with U.S. healthcare group Johnson & Johnson about a transaction. Asked by Swiss Sunday newspaper SonntagsBlick whether Novartis could emerge as a white knight, he said: “We have always said that we will concentrate on complementary acquisitions in the range of $2 billion to $5 billion.” He did not elaborate. Actelion is worth nearly $20 billion at Friday's closing price.