AstraZeneca releases statement on Pfizer’s pulled £69bn bid
AstraZeneca has released a statement this morning confirming Pfizer’s shelving of its controversial takeover bid for the UK drugs firm.
Yesterday, US Pfizer confirmed it's dropped the £69bn approach. It will now have to wait until the end of November, should it want to make another offer for Astra.
Chairman Leif Johansson commented:
We note Pfizer's confirmation that it no longer intends to make an offer for AstraZeneca. We welcome the opportunity to continue building on the momentum we have already demonstrated as an independent company.
He added that Astra remains “fully focused on the deliver of [its] strategy”, with good growth prospects and a rapidly developing pipeline.
Astra has a "culture of innovation", said Johansson, with science "at the heart" of everything it does.
I believe this will create significant value for our shareholders, employees and patients who will benefit from our life-changing medicines.