Actelion confirms interest of Johnson & Johnson
Basel biotech company Actelion has confirmed rumours that they have been approached by US company Johnson & Johnson about a possible takeover. Although the US firm has made contact, it remains unclear if it will result in a buyout.
Investors have already reacted euphorically to the rumours. On the Zurich stock market, shares in the biggest biotech company in Europe rose ten per cent by 10am and to 14 per cent in the afternoon. At that point, 1.4 million shares were traded.
The jump in share prices was a reaction to rumours, reported by business news agency Bloomberg, based on insider information, that Johnson & Johnson had approached Actelion. The talks were at an early stage, according to Bloomberg, adding that Actelion is working together with an adviser to work out its options.
Johnson & Johnson has declined to comment on the rumours. In a comment to the sda news agency on Friday, the company said in principle it would not comment on rumours and speculation. Actelion also refused a request made on Thursday for a comment.
A wave of takeovers is rolling over the pharmaceutical industry. Many patents are running out and the costs for research and development have been high because promising products have been purchased. Next year, the patent for Johnson & Johnson's blockbuster Remicade drug will run out.
It is not the first time that Actelion had been connected to rumours of a takeover. Other possible purchasers in the past have included the Irish pharmaceuticals producer, Shire, the US company, Gilead, and the biotech company, Amgen. Until now, the Allschwil-based company has always successfully protected itself from a take over.
15 years of shopping at St Jakob-Park
The new «Joggeli» stadium in Basel was officially opened in March 2001 and marked the start of the most successful era for FC Basel. One or two people may have shed a tear for the old «Joggeli» stadium but nostalgia would have passed quickly. The new stadium soon felt homely.
These days, the «Joggeli» is not only visited on match days. It has become one of the bigger meeting points outside of the city centre. And: the new «Joggeli» offers much more than football. In the beginning, the shopping centre St. Jakob-Park was simply smiled at fondly, but in the last 15 years it had made a name for itself in the face of strong competitors abroad.
The centre is celebrating its many achievements with a special anniversary event today (Saturday). One of the highlights is the celeb-charity-auction. Concerning New Year's resolutions, a personal trainer and ex-bachelor TV star Rafael Beutl can be 'purchased' in the auction. Those who seek a quieter pace of life can take part in the auction for an Austin Mini car. Shoppers looking for Christmas presents can make a bid for a football shirt signed by Swiss national player, Breel Embolo. All income from the auction will be donated to the «familea Basel» organisation. All information on the detailed programme can be found here.
There is even something for those who nostalgically think back to the old «Joggeli» days: At the auction there is also a framed picture of «s alte Joggeli» up for grabs. There is something for everyone!
Ueli Maurer awards the winners of the «Swiss Innovation Challenge» 2016
The winner of this year's «Swiss Innovation Challenge» is dentistry innovator Christoph von Mandach. His company «GOLD S AG» shares the award with Michael Linder («GRG Ingenieure AG»).
Mr von Mandach caused a sensation in the world of dentistry when his company invented a revolutionary clip to correct misaligned teeth. The clip is significantly smaller than all others in the past.
Federal Finance Minister Ueli Maurer, together with the director of the economic chamber of Baselland, Christoph Buser, handed over the trophy and the cheque for 20'000 francs. The award had been sponsored by the Kantonalbank of Baselland.
The award was shared with Michael Linder and his firm, «GRG Ingenieure AG». The company's prize money and trophy was handed over by Dr Beat Oberlin, president of the directorate of the Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank, and Prof Dr Crispino Bergamaschi, president of the directorate of the Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz, FHNW.
The winners of the only innovation promotion programme in Switzerland were judged over a period of ten months. The participants have gone through coaching, mentorship, crash courses, as well as motivation and networking events. Three pitching events were focused on, where they had to compete with their innovations against a 100 competitors. In the so-called «Final Pitch», on 23 September, they competed in the Bottminger Schloss against 25 competitors. The event ended with three winning projects.
The two projects were presented with their awards at the «Tag der Wirtschaft», organised by the economic chamber Baselland, in front of an audience of more than 2800 guests from economy, politics, and society. The event was held at the St Jakobshalle in Münchenstein last week.