AstraZeneca PLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Join Forces in $7 Billion Deal for Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NASDAQ:BMY) and AstraZeneca plc (NYSE:AZN) have teamed up to execute a uniquely structured takeover of diabetes firm Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:AMLN) for a total value of $7 billion - the fourth and largest billion-dollar-plus deal of 2012.

Amylin's assets include GLP-1 agonists Byetta (exenatide) and its extended release equivalent Bydureon, Metreleptin, and Symlin (pramlintide acetate) and has been on the market for acquisition for some time.

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