Analysts Suggest Pfizer Takes Over GSK; GSK Remains Doubtful

May 21, 2015

A Deutsche Bank AG analyst has proposed the idea of “PfizerKline” -- Pfizer taking over U.K. rival GlaxoSmithKline, but Pfizer has not confirmed interest yet.

Anticipating government resistance, GSK's broker, Citigroup said, “We doubt that GSK is a viable acquisition target for Pfizer."

But Pfizer CEO Ian Read has indicated he's looking for transactions that can pump up the biggest U.S. drugmaker’s sales. Pfizer announced a $17B acquisition of Hospira in February. Last May, the drugmaker gave up on a potential $117B takeover of AstraZeneca which, according to Pfizer CFO, failed because of price.

Read the Bloomberg article