Article: Roche rebuffs Novartis's latest advance. (M & A).

Roche has again refuted speculation that it may merge with Novartis, after Novartis announced that it had raised its stake in Roche substantially and is interested in a deal. Novartis says it bought 11.4% of Roche during 2002, raising its stake in the company to 32.7% (CW, Jan. 29, p. 8). The announcement reignited speculation that Novartis is planning a takeover bid for Roche. The speculation first arose in 2001, when Novartis bought the original 21.3% stake.

Descendants of the founding Roche family, who own 50.1% of Roche, "have absolutely no interest in the possible fusion that Novartis has suggested," says Fritz Gerber, former CEO of Roche and president of ...

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