DJ MARKET TALK: Altana Pharma Coveters Wary About A Patent

09/11/06 - Dow Jones Newswires

0824 GMT [Dow Jones] Merck Finck says investors interested in acquiring Altana's (AAA) pharmaceuticals division seem to be concerned about risks arising from expiration of the patent on Pantoprazole. Hence this may be the reason bids for the unit seem to be significantly below the market's expectations, the brokerage says. Brokerage says it had expected Altana to have trouble divesting Pharma as potential investors don't appear to be lining up. Nevertheless if Altana only gets EUR4B for the division, the brokerage says it'll reduce its target price to EUR40 from EUR44. Maintains hold rating. Shares -0.9% at EUR44.85. (HAD)

 
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 11, 2006 04:24 ET (08:24 GMT)

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