If romance writers covered the drug industry, they might say Pfizer married Ireland-based Allergan on the rebound. Spoonful of colorful pills against the background of fresh fruits.
The union of Pfizer and Allergan comes a year and a half after Pfizer was jilted by London-based drug-maker AstraZenica, maker of the blockbuster heart drug Crestor, following a whirlwind, seven-month courtship and an offer totaling approximately $104 billion. What made both companies especially appealing are their offshore addresses, which would allow Pfizer to benefit from lower corporate tax rates, potentially saving millions in U.S. taxes.
