Pfizer Says Interested by Possible AstraZeneca Merger

U.S. drugs giant Pfizer on Monday confirmed its interest over forming a multi-billion-dollar merger with British rival AstraZeneca, adding that an informal approach made in January had been rebuffed.

"Pfizer Inc. confirms that it previously submitted a preliminary, non-binding indication of interest to the board of directors of AstraZeneca in January 2014 regarding a possible merger transaction," said a statement issued to the London Stock Exchange one week after media reports regarding a potential tie-up.

"After limited high-level discussions, AstraZeneca declined to pursue negotiations," added the statement issued by Pfizer, in which the U.S. company confirmed also "its continuing interest in a possible merger transaction".