Through Expanded Talks, Sanofi-Aventis Closes In On Genzyme

French drug giant Sanofi-Aventis is coming closer to acquiring Cambridge pharmaceutical company Genzyme.

Genzyme has been cool to previous offers from Sanofi-Aventis, which has been pursuing the company since last summer. Sanofi-Aventis is looking get new drugs into its pipeline, and Genzyme could profit from the international reach the global company offers.

The executives in Cambridge have been holding out for a higher price. At issue is how much money a new multiple sclerosis drug is going to make. Genzyme wants a provision in any deal to get more money if the drug turns out to be a blockbuster.

Now that talks have been expanded, the two companies may be ready to deal.

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