Relypsa gains on acquisition rumors

Relypsa Inc. (NASDAQ:RLYP) gained $6.82 (31%) to $29.14 on Friday after media reports said multiple buyers were interested in acquiring the company. Among the rumored buyers were Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK), Sanofi (Euronext:SAN; NYSE:SNY) and GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE:GSK; NYSE:GSK). Relypsa and Merck declined to comment on the speculation. Sanofi and GSK did not respond to inquiries.

FDA approved Relypsa's Veltassa patiromer in October to treat hyperkalemia. The high-capacity oral potassium binder's label includes a black box warning against taking the drug within six hours of other oral medications (see BioCentury Extra, Oct. 22). ...