Pfizer, Allergan in Talks to Name CEO in Rumored Mega Merger

Nov. 11, 2015

Pfizer Inc. and Allergan Plc could be in talks to make Brent Saunders CEO if the two drug makers reach a takeover agreement, according to a Bloomberg article.

A merged Pfizer and Allergan would likely split into two companies down the road, the article said, with Allergan CEO Saunders taking the helm, said unnamed sources. The other unit would reportedly feature older products at or near the end of their patent lives.

We reported late October that Pfizer said it was in “preliminary friendly discussions” about combining with Allergan. An acquisition of Allergan, which is incorporated in Dublin and run from New Jersey, would give Pfizer a low-tax legal address abroad, the article said. The companies could agree on a deal by the end of November.

Read the Bloomberg story