Wyeth in talks to acquire Crucell; sources say potential offer could be up to $1.35B

US drug major Wyeth is in early discussions over a potential merger with Dutch vaccine maker Crucell NV, according to a statement issued by  the latter. This follows a report in the Wall Street Journal saying  Wyeth was in takeover talks, and could pay up to  $1.35 billion for  Crucell. The last few years have seen a push by large-cap pharmaceutical  companies to bolster their capabilities in biotechnology. 37% of Wyeth's  total revenue is currently generated by sales of biologics, which  includes the blockbuster anti-inflammatory drug Enbrel (etanercept),  as well as Mylotarg (gemtuzumab ozogamicin), a humanized anti-CD33  monoclonal antibody indicated for acute myeloid leukemia. Crucell claims  it is the largest independent vaccine company in the world and develops  a variety of cell lines for the production of its antibodies.  Headquartered in Leiden, it currently employs about 1,100 people.