Economy Talk

Why would AstraZeneca even want Bristol Myers Squibb?

Honest question from a PhD student who doesn't work in pharma but lives near a big research cluster. The Guardian quotes Jefferies saying the "why" isn't clear yet, and both companies have big cancer divisions, which could worry regulators.

So what's the logic? A bigger US footprint, since AZ is already investing $50bn there by 2030 and listed in New York in June? Patent cliffs? Or is it just that big companies get bored? And does anyone think it actually happens after shareholders reacted like that?