Novartis says it's not interested in merging with another Big Pharma player--but CEO Daniel Vasella (photo [1]) still won't comment on a rumored takeover [1] of German rival Bayer.

Vasella told a French newspaper that a merger isn't the answer to the company's skyrocketing R&D costs and less-than-skyrocketing revenues. But when asked point-blank about Bayer, he clammed up. Some stock analysts have pooh-poohed the notion of Novartis snapping up Bayer. Others, however, helped fuel the rumors, which have died down a bit lately. Vasella's "no comment" just may stir them up again. 

- read the coverage [2] from Forbes

Related Articles:
Rumor Mill: Novartis may bid for Bayer. Report [2]
Cash-rich Novartis CEO mulls biotech buyouts. Report [3]
Bayer plans to beef up biotech pipeline. Report [4]
Novartis CEO critiques U.S. healthcare. Report [4]