Acquiring the Swiss biotech firm would boost J&J's drug pipeline and diversify its prospects.

Merck inherited Rebif after its acquisition of Swiss biotech company Serono, which has started contributing this year.

The group plans to take another punt on a Swiss biotech company in the next month or so, Healy said.

A general view shows Swiss biotech group Actelion Headquarters in Allschwil near Basel, April 23, 2011.

Speculation has swirled that larger Swiss biotech Actelion ATLN.VX, also the subject of takeover talk, may be interested in buying Basilea.

A general view shows Swiss biotech group Actelion Headquarters in Allschwil near Basel February 17, 2015.

So far there is only one oral treatment for Gaucher, which is Zavesca, made by Swiss biotech company Actelion Ltd ATLN.VX.

Analaysts said rumours were rife on Thursday BMS would announce it holds more than 3 percent of the Swiss biotech group.

Swiss biotech company Lonza, a leader in the field, said that good stewardship had led to "stable to increasing" populations.

Merck's biggest deal before this one was the takeover of Swiss biotech company Serono for 10.3 billion euros.

Potential blockbuster Tekturna, a once-a-day pill which was co-developed by Swiss biotech company Speedel SPPN.S, was approved in the United States earlier this year.

Swiss biotech firm Actelion ATLN.S aims to convince doctors that its so-called orexin antagonist drug ACT-078573 offers a better way to treat sleep disorders.

The company's logo is seen at the headquarters of Swiss biotech company Actelion in Allschwil, Switzerland December 6, 2016.

The company's logo is seen at the headquarters of Swiss biotech company Actelion in Allschwil, Switzerland January 26, 2017.

San Diego-based Otonomy and Swiss biotech Auris propose delivering medicines using different gel-like formulations into the middle ear, for absorption by the inner ear.

The filing said the tender offer for the Swiss biotech company's shares would run from March 3 to March 30.