Article: LA ROCHE SWEETENS THE POT SWISS GIANT UPS ANTE FOR A STERLING TAKEOVER.(Business)

Byline: Bill Menezes Associated Press

F. Hoffman-La Roche and Co. late Monday increased to about $4.4 billion its bid for Sterling Drug Inc., which earlier in the day rejected the Swiss pharmaceutical giant's initial $72-a-share takeover offer.

Hoffman-La Roche said it was willing to pay $76 a share in cash for Sterling, but the sweetened offer remained below Sterling's closing stock price on the New York Stock Exchange.

Amid anticipation of a bidding contest, Sterling's stock rose $3.25 1/2 a share to $77.37 1/2 in active trading Monday.

Fritz Gerber, Hoffman-La Roche's chairman, said in a statement the company continues "to have ...

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