Shire Considers Bid For NPS Pharma : Report

(RTTNews) - Irish drug company Shire Plc (SHP.L, SHPG) is considering a bid for NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NPSP), Bloomberg reported citing people familiar with the matter said.

Quoting two of the people, the report said that the timing of any offer could depend on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves NPS's Natpara, a drug to treat hypoparathyroidism that if authorized would be the first marketed treatment for the potentially fatal disorder. The decision is scheduled to happen by January 24.

Separately, Shire disclosed in a regulatory that it agreed on a $2.1 billion revolving loan facility from a number of financial institutions. The revolving facility may be applied towards financing the general corporate purposes of the company.

SHPG closed Wednesday's regular trading at $215.25, up $6.49 or 3.11%. In after-hours, the share further gained $0.06 or 0.03%.

NPSP closed regular trading at $36.10, up $5.63 or 18.48%. In after-hours, the share further gained $0.10.