Business
Health care deals slow, but value up
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 17, 2004
The number of health care mergers and acquisitions were down in the first quarter of 2004, but the financial value of the deals was up dramatically, according to a report published by Irving Levin Associates Inc., a health care research firm based in New Canaan, Conn.
The report counts 201 deals, mostly in pharmaceuticals, medical devices and biotechnology, during the first quarter of 2004, compared with 234 during the fourth quarter and 229 during the first quarter of 2003. However, the report estimates the total value of the deals at $92.3 billion, nearly equal to the $92.8 billion during all of 2003.
One deal -- the proposed acquisition of Aventis SA by Sanofi-Synthelabo SA, which was valued at $65 billion -- was the major driver of the first quarter financial statistics.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/05/17/bibf0517.htm.












