Presse: Biogen Idec ist an Elan interessiert - 500 Beiträge pro Seite

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Das amerikanische Biotechnologie-Unternehmen Biogen Idec Inc. erwägt die Abgabe eines Übernahmeangebots an den größten irischen Pharmakonzern Elan Corp. plc. Dies berichtet die irische Zeitung \"Sunday Tribune\".

Dem Zeitungsbericht zufolge bietet Biogen Idec insgesamt über 8,5 Mrd. Euro. Eine Einigung könnte in den folgenden neun Monaten erreicht werden.

Die beiden Unternehmen entwickelten gemeinsam das Medikament Antegren zur Behandlung von Multiple Sklerose, eine chronische Entzündungskrankheit des zentralen Nervensystems. Antegren ist der erste Inhibitor in der neuen Wirkstoffklasse Selektive Adhäsions-Molekül-Inhibitoren (SAM-Inhibitoren).

In London kletterten die Aktien von Elan bisher um 6,93 Prozent und notieren aktuell bei 18,05 Euro. Die Titel von Biogen Idec stiegen am Freitag um 2,07 Prozent und gingen mit 58,06 Euro aus dem Handel.

Wertpapiere des Artikels:
ELAN CORPORATION PLC
BIOGEN IDEC INC.


Autor: SmartHouseMedia (© wallstreet:online AG / SmartHouse Media GmbH),13:56 18.10.2004

[Cyberhexe]

Elan hat bereits dementiert - der Preis auf Sicht von 9 Monaten wäre ja geradezu lächerlich. Für Elan käme, wenn überhaupt, nur eine Fusion unter Gleichen in Betracht.


Elan knocks down talk of Biogen bid interest
Mon Oct 18, 2004 07:55 AM ET
(By Paul Hoskins

DUBLIN, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Drug maker Elan Corp. (ELN.I: Quote, Profile, Research) dismissed a weekend report that U.S. peer Biogen Idec (BIIB.O: Quote, Profile, Research) is considering a friendly bid for the Irish company.

"Generally it is not appropriate to comment on market rumours, but on this occasion you can say that we dismissed such speculation," a spokeswoman for the Irish company said on Monday.

A source familiar with the situation meanwhile confirmed there were currently no merger or takeover talks between Biogen and Elan (ELN.N: Quote, Profile, Research) . The two companies are jointly developing Antegren, a promising new treatment for multiple sclerosis. Elan stock, which had been up over eight percent before the company`s comments, retreated somewhat to stand 5.882 percent higher at 18.00 euros by 1150 GMT versus a rise of just 0.5 percent for the broader Irish market .

Analysts also said there could be hurdles to any deal.

Ireland`s Sunday Tribune newspaper reported that Biogen was mulling a 8.5-billion-euro ($10.6 billion) bid for Elan as the companies await U.S. approval for Antegren, expected this year.

"I spoke to the company (Elan) today and they repeated that they were happy to continue their business on a standalone basis," said one London-based analyst, pointing out that any tie up would have to be agreed by both parties.

Given the perceived potential for Antegren, a takeover might make sense on paper, but a standoff clause agreed between the companies prevents Biogen making a hostile bid before 2010.

The Sunday Tribune reported that contact had increased substantially in recent weeks as Elan gets its house in order after a 2002 brush with bankruptcy, but analysts warned there were plenty of other reasons for them to be in touch.

"We understand the companies are currently finalising the details on how they are going to account for the 50:50 split in Antegren profits," Goodbody Stockbrokers analyst Ian Hunter said in a research note.

With worries over Elan`s accounts now behind it and a shrinking debt pile, the company could theoretically be an attractive takeover target, particularly given that Morgan Stanley sees global sales of Antegren at $2 billion by 2008.

"But the attractiveness to other parties is pretty much prevented because Biogen has the right to buy the rights to Antegren in full if Elan is bought by somebody else," the London-based analyst said

[puhvogel]

Vor nur knapp 2 Jahren gab es die Elan für knapp 500 Millionen Dollar und kein Schisser wollte die haben, weil da ein paar Hedge Fonds strunzdumme Altaktionäre vernaschten.