AstraZeneca Shares Fall on Deal Talks With Bristol-Myers

AstraZeneca Plc is reportedly in early-stage discussions to acquire Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., a move that could become the largest pharmaceutical deal in history. Following this news, AstraZeneca's shares fell 7.8% in London, while Bristol-Myers saw a rise of 3.8% in premarket trading.

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The AstraZeneca Plc logo on boxes of pharmaceutical products.Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe

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By Dinesh Nair, Michelle F Davis, and Ashleigh Furlong

August 2, 2026 at 4:13 PM EDT

Updated on August 3, 2026 at 4:08 AM EDT

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AstraZeneca Plc has explored an acquisition of Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., according to people familiar with the matter, in a potential megadeal that would rank as the largest ever in pharma.

The companies have held early-stage discussions about combining, the people added, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. Astra shares plunged on the news in London trading, declining as much as 7.8%. Bristol-Myers gained as much as 3.8% in premarket trading.

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