Royalty Pharma launches improved bid for Elan

By Padraic Halpin and Jessica Toonkel DUBLIN/ NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. investment firm Royalty Pharma launched a cash offer on Monday for Elan worth up to $7.3 billion, improving on its initial proposal to take over the Irish drugmaker and the lucrative royalty rights on its main drug. Royalty made an indicative approach worth $11 per share in February, which Elan rejected for being “highly conditional”. Facing a May 10 deadline to make a firm offer, it came back on Monday with one worth up to $12 a share. …

China says bird flu death toll rises to 14

Worker adjusts a water dispensing device at a chicken farm in Changfeng countyBEIJING (Reuters) – China reported another death and three new infections from a new strain of avian influenza known as H7N9 on Monday, bringing the total death toll to 14 and the number of infections to 63, the official Xinhua News Agency said. A 77-year-old woman, who was earlier tested positive for the virus, died on Sunday in eastern Jiangsu province, Xinhua cited local health officials as saying. …

Analysis: Gene swapping makes new China bird flu a moving target

Health officers examine a pigeon for H7N9 at a poultry market in ChangshaBy Kate Kelland, Health and Science Correspondent LONDON (Reuters) – A new bird flu virus that has killed 13 people in China is still evolving, making it hard for scientists to predict how dangerous it might become. Influenza experts say the H7N9 strain is probably still swapping genes with other strains, seeking to select ones that might make it fitter. If it succeeds, the world could be facing the threat of a deadly flu pandemic. But it may also fail and just fizzle out. …

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