Global Blood Therapeutics up 18% after report on buyout interest

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• Global Blood Therapeutics (NASDAQ:GBT), a drug maker targeting sickle cell disease (SCD), continues to trade higher in the pre-market Thursday with a gain of ~18% after Bloomberg reported that the company is drawing takeover interest.
• Some large pharma companies are eyeing a potential deal, the news agency said, citing people familiar with the matter who chose to remain anonymous because the information is private.
• Global Blood (GBT) which markets SCD therapy Oxbryta, is said to have engaged advisers to evaluate the takeover interest, the people said, adding that there is no certainty it will lead to a deal. A company representative declined to comment.
• Read: In a bullish thesis in June, Seeking Alpha contributor BioSci Capital Partners reiterated the Buy rating on the stock and reasoned why “Oxbryta is poised to enjoy a leaping growth rate.”