AstraZeneca, negotiations with Bristol Myers Squibb for a possible merger that could create a 400 billion dollar group

The British-Swedish company AstraZeneca is negotiating with the American group Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) for a deal that could become one of the largest in the history of the pharmaceutical industry, according to The Guardian, cited by Mediafax.

According to information from international media, a potential deal would bring together two of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, resulting in a group with a market value of approximately 400 billion dollars, which would rank fourth globally in the industry. Additionally, according to sources close to the matter, discussions have been ongoing for several months, but there is currently no certainty that they will lead to an agreement.

After the emergence of information regarding the negotiations, AstraZeneca's shares recorded a decline of over 7%. Analysts estimate that a potential deal could be scrutinized by competition authorities, considering the overlaps between the portfolios of the two companies, especially in the field of oncology treatments. According to market evaluations, AstraZeneca is looking to expand its business, while Bristol Myers Squibb is facing challenges due to the expiration of patents for some drugs. Experts believe that such a deal could bring cost savings but could also influence the pace of development of new treatments.