BMRN BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc

LONDON -- Shares of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (BMRN) jumped 7.6% in premarket trade Thursday after a report said Swiss drug maker Roche Holding AG plans to take over the U.S.-listed firm.

Dealreporter said, citing people familiar with the matter, that Roche's management team was planning on approaching BioMarin earlier in the week about the possibility of a takeover.

It is unclear whether a formal approach has been made yet, according to Dealreporter.

Shares of Roche traded 0.9% higher in midday European trade.

A representative from Roche declined to comment on the report, while BioMarin wasn't immediately available for comments.

Write to Sara Sjolin at AskNewswires@dowjones.com

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