Nycomed close to signing U.S. partner for Daxas

The UK's Nycomed, which was recently rumored to be up for sale, says that it expects to land a U.S. partner for its smoker's lung drug--Daxas--by June. The company adds that it is aiming for an IPO.

Just weeks ago the Wall Street Journal reported that Nycomed had hired Goldman Sachs to help arrange a sale that could fetch upwards of $13 billion. But Reuters reports today that Goldman's primary role has been to line up a rich U.S. partnership deal.

"Nycomed is optimistic that an agreement can be finalized in the first half of the year, as planned," a spokesperson commented. "Nycomed is aiming for a stock market introduction at some stage, depending on timing and market conditions," she added. "But there is no target date set. Our immediate and primary objective remains to find a licensing partner for Daxas in the United States."

- read the story from Reuters

Related Articles:
Nycomed seeks bidders for potential $13B sale
Nycomed, EffRx ink $59M licensing pact
Nycomed cuts 250, closes plants
Bayer strikes deal for Nycomed cancer therapies