Another day, another multi-billion pharma deal - the series returns!

I have to admit I was surprised to see US generic drugs giant Mylan return for Nordic group Meda given the market turbulence and general carnage in biotech share prices.

Hat tip, though, to the Financial Times for landing the scoop last night about the $9.9 billion takeover deal.

And I hear another Financial Times pharma takeover scoop might be about to come good.

In case you don't recall, the M&A team over the FT reported last month that WebMD was weighing a sale, with United Health Group said to be circling the company. Here is the link:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0effe53a-ba67-11e5-bf7e-8a339b6f2164,Authorised=false.html?siteedition=uk&_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F0effe53a-ba67-11e5-bf7e-8a339b6f2164.html%3Fsiteedition%3Duk&_i_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.uk%2F6666cd76f96956469e7be39d750cc7d9&classification=conditional_standard&iab=barrier-app#axzz3zkmmFaQc

The story was vehemently denied by WebMD, which said it was not in talks to be bought.

However, word is that bankers over at advisory firm Moelis are trying to broker a deal between Walgreen Boots Alliance and US-listed WebMD, the health information publisher, with the giant drugs wholesaler/retailer said to have already submitted an indicative offer.

So, I guess it's possible WebMD might now be "in talks"?

To be clear, this information is RARE of the rarest kind. For those readers unfamiliar with RARE, here is the definition:

Market gossip that hasn't been tested through formal journalistic channels (public relations executives, bankers etc). The rumour might be total codswallop but then again there may be something in it, so it's worth airing on Betaville.