Alexion jumps on renewed Roche takeout rumors

Shares of Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ALXN) jumped as much as 17% on Friday before ending the day up $12.82 (13%) to $114.26 on renewed rumors that Roche (SIX:ROG; OTCQX:RHHBY) is considering an acquisition of the biotech and was seeking financing. The move translates to a $2.5 billion gain in market cap for Alexion for a closing valuation of $22.3 billion. The companies could not be reached for comment. Alexion markets Soliris eculizumab for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). The humanized mAb targeting complement 5 (C5) had 2012 sales of $1.1 billion. ...