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Sweden's Meda denies India merger rumours

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Sweden's Meda denies India merger rumours

Swedish drug maker Meda, reported to be a takeover target by Indian group Sun Pharmaceutical, denied on Wednesday that merger talks were under way.

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Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing anonymous sources, that Mumbai-based generic drug firm Sun Pharma was in discussions with banks to finance the deal.

"Due to the recent speculation in the press and news media concerning Meda merging with another pharmaceutical company, we have decided to inform the market that there are currently no such discussions," Meda said in a statement.

Meda added that it does not generally comment on "speculation" and that issuing the statement was an "exception to its policy."

Stockholm-based Meda, a maker of branded generic prescription and over-the-counter drugs, is listed on the Swedish stock exchange. Sun Pharma previously declined to comment on what it called "media conjecture".

Shares of Sun Pharma, which has a market capitalisation of nearly $20 billion -- the highest of all Indian generics firms -- closed up nearly two percent at 1,038.3 rupees after Meda's denial which eased investor concerns over the deal's cost.

AFP/The Local/dl

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