Aventis Pharma and Du Pont Pharmaceuticals have ended talks which could have led to the transfer of some of Aventis's research facilities and European products to Du Pont (PJ, March 18, p434).
In a statement issued on July 18, Mr Richard Markham (chief executive, Aventis) said that since the negotiations began, the new management team at Du Pont had made additional requests above those contained in the original letter of intent between the two companies.
Aventis intends to keep open its research and development site at Romainville, France, which was at the centre of the negotiations.
"An alternative solution will materialise within the next three months," Mr Markham said.