Actelion shares surge on reported J&J takeover approach
By Paul Arnold and Ludwig Burger ZURICH/FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Shares in Actelion Ltd jumped as much as 19 percent to record highs on Friday on reports that U.S. healthcare company Johnson & Johnson was interested in a takeover of the fast-growing Swiss biotechnology firm. A person familiar with the situation told Reuters that Johnson & Johnson (J&J) had met Actelion about a deal, and that there was broader interest from prospective suitors in the industry, after Bloomberg on Thursday reported J&J's interest.Deliberations were still at an early stage and Actelion was working with an adviser to explore options, Bloomberg said in its report.
