Reuters scores market-moving interview with Actelion chairman

Shares in Europes largest biotech group Actelion jumped over 2 percent on April 13 after the companys chairman told Reuters in an exclusive interview he would consider a sale at the right price. Bloomberg was forced to pick up the Reuters story, which came as the battle between the company and its largest shareholder intensifies in the run up to the annual general meeting. Activist shareholder Elliott Advisors has urged Actelion, which had repeatedly said it wanted to remain independent, to consider a sale. Actelion Chairman Robert Cawthorns comments have now taken some of the wind out of Elliotts sails. The Reuters story was tweeted widely and picked up by analysts, a number of industry websites and local media, such as Cash. Several traders cited the Reuters story as the reason behind the share price move as it breathed fresh life into speculation that the group could eventually be bought.