Smith & Nephew plc In Early Stage Tie-Up Talks With Biomet Inc.
LONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - UK medical devices maker Smith & Nephew (SN.L: Quote, Profile, Research) has held "very preliminary talks" over a possible tie-up with U.S. rival Biomet (BMET.O: Quote, Profile, Research), it said on Thursday as it met forecasts with higher third-quarter underlying earnings.