This is the news I heard on Channel News Asia regarding Japanese acquiring a Pharm co:

The thread:

http://www.smallcapinvestor.com/smallcapnews/movers/2008-09-02-sciele_pharma_acquired_by_japans_shionogi_for_11_billion

The News:

Shares of Sciele Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:SCRX) are rocketing in pre-market trading after the small biopharmaceutical company said Monday that it will be acquired by Japanese pharmaceutical manufacturer Shionogi & Co for $31 per share, or $1.1 billion in aggregate. The buyout price represents a 61% premium over Sciele’s closing price on Friday. This is just another sign that lower stock prices domestically are enticing foreign buyers. 

Shares jumped 59%, or $11.27, to $30.54 in pre-market trading. For detailed price information and news stories on Sciele Pharma, click SCRX.

You can see a webcast of the presentation by Windecker, as well as the presentation or critique by Laura Mauri.

I think the critique by Laura Mauri is much more interesting as it shows the medical community's thinking about the 'Leaders Trial' and it also reveals a fair bit about what kind of things are being done in the Leaders Trial, which would normally not be done under normal circumstances (eg Direct Stenting ), which actually makes it more complicated.

I will share with you my observation about this stock. The public free float is officially at over 60%. No way to corner this stock as it is also quite a large cap. Just look at the top 20 shareholders. Besides those linked to LYC and John Shulze, a lot are in local brokerage nominees accounts. That could also means a lot are pledged by the share owners for margins trading? This was why in late June / early July there was an unexpected  wave of margin call dumping when the share price broke to a new low everyday.  It is precisely too big float that the share price cannot hold because no one is cornering this stock. I don't see any institutional holding chunks of BIG shares at this moment. This stock has attracted too many punters who will just cut and dump any moment. A lot of the shareholders now are probably local retail investors like us. Like any other stocks, there is definitely syndicate playing in BIG also and i think i know who is the syndicate behind. From my observation, the BBs are still holding BIG shares. My advice is buy when nobody want to buy and this stock looks like it is dead and no hope liao. When the share price already chiong and you go and chase it, most likely you will lose money in the end.

The fundamentals about BIG that i have been talking about are factual as far as i honestly know although i confessed before that im always too bullish and overly optimistic with my views and outlook. I also confessed before that im quite obsessed with BIG's M&A potential. Strictly speaking (as Mr Investor mentioned before), we should invest BIG based on stand alone independent DES company and any M&A jackpot is a bonus. Sorry Bernie for making a mess in this thread when an argument erupt. Jialat, a lot of hot headed people and im definitely one of them.     

Okay I guess since there are some objections to my "scolding" of the beloved bengster, then okay u will have your wish. However don't say I didn't warn you. I just dont like the way he beautifies BIG, which encourages people to buy this cornered stock, allow BBs to short and get away with it. In a way he is helping them indirectly.

Keywords: We are always unprepared for the Worse!  Both directions, up and down.  So be patient with this BIG counter.  Every dog will have its day!!!!

I heard about the Japanese buyout of the Pharmacuetical company on TV, Channel News Asia, to be exact, in the evening news bulletin few days back.  This can be verified by calling the tv station.

I am not siding with or against anyone, but I bellieve it is good for everyone here to discuss objectively.  Stock market is like a roller coaster.  You sit on it, it takes you up and down testing your tolerance.  Prices rise and fall without any of our efforts, whatever we have to say.  Sometimes the speculators play on us, pushing down prices on good news as well as bad news. We are alway unprepared for the worse.  But it is good that we know what is happening and likely to happen to our counters.

Cheers and happy investing!

Wah...... You so big and talking rubbish also can teach people lesson? Im saying Japanese coporations that are flushed with cash are on M&A mode. What is wrong with this sentence?

Soverign wealth funds buy into other assets classes, not companies like Biosensors. BSX's huge debt level are almost classified as "junk bond" status so who will dare to lend them the more money for billion dollar M&A? I don't need to be working in soverign wealth funds or be in the B.O.D in BSX. Any bird with some common knowledge also know you are talking rubbish can even suggest this.

Im only talking general things happening right now about some cash rich Japanese corporations are on M&A mode recently to expand their business globally. What rumour monger? Don't be rude. It is you that are talking rubbish about Dubai, China, sovereign wealth funds, Boston Scientific,etc buying into BIG.

I already said before BSX was never a contender to buy over BIG because their debt level is up to the brim after acquiring Guidant. Soverign wealth funds will never buy BIG.