AstraZeneca holds talks with Bristol Myers Squibb over $400bn merger

AstraZeneca is in discussions to acquire US rival Bristol Myers Squibb in a deal valued at nearly $400bn (£300bn). Led by CEO Pascal Soriot, the UK company seeks to establish the world's fourth-largest pharmaceutical group. AstraZeneca possesses a market value of nearly £196bn, while the Princeton-based BMS, known for cancer treatments, is worth $133bn. This potential tie-up would constitute one of the largest pharmaceutical deals ever recorded within the global industry.