Warner Chilcott Pops Up On Rumors (WCRX, SNDK, JAZZ, BPZ, ATHX)

Warner Chilcott Pops Up On Rumors (WCRX, SNDK, JAZZ, BPZ, ATHX)

Warner Chilcott Plc (NASDAQ:WCRX) shares soared 11.35% to $19.38 in the pre-market session as rumors churn up that Bayer AG (ADR)(PINK:BAYRY) is poised to make a $32-a-share offer.

SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) rose 1.60% to $38 after analyst at Jefferies upgraded the stock to Buy after it was crushed due to its Q1 report and guidance. The firm sees a favorable mix and improving NAND flash prices boosting margins, and thinks SanDisk’s $15/share in cash and IP licensing limit downside. The upgrade comes as Samsung claims in its Q1 report NAND channel demand and spot prices were weak, though demand for embedded products (smartphones/tablets) was solid.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc – Ordinary Shares (NASDAQ:JAZZ) shares soared 17.26% to $53 after the company late Thursday said that it has reached a definitive agreement with EUSA Pharma Inc. , where Jazz Pharmaceuticals has agreed to acquire EUSA Pharma, a privately-held, specialty pharmaceutical company with headquarters in the United States and United Kingdom, for $650 million in cash(1) and a potential $50 million milestone payable in cash based upon its lead product, Erwinaze(TM) (asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi), achieving a specified U.S. net sales target in 2013.

BPZ Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BPZ) climbed 5.62% to $4.70 after Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp. has reached an agreement with BPZ Resources, Inc. to enter into a series of transactions ultimately resulting in the acquisition of beneficial ownership of a 49% undivided participating interest (the “Participating Interest”) in the Z-1 exploration and development block, offshore in Peru. Under the terms of the agreement, Pacific Rubiales will pay U.S.$150 million in cash and is subject to a commitment of U.S.$185 million for BPZ’s share of capital and exploratory expenditures in Block Z-1.

Athersys, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATHX) added 2.225 after the company s met with the FDA to discuss results of its recent clinical trial involving the administration of its MultiStem treatment for patients with leukemia or other conditions that place them at risk of graft vs. host disease.