Under fire, Pfizer hits back as it weighs next Astra move

[riky]

Under fire, Pfizer hits back as it weighs next Astra move

<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/under-fire-pfizer-hits-back-weighs-next-astra-151327543--sector.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/GGml4Cu8XtEy35rBE2fVOg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9NzU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2014-05-10T151327Z_1_CBREA4916AM00_RTROPTP_2_PFIZER.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Ian Read, CEO of Pfizer, addresses a news conference in New York" align="left" title="Ian Read, CEO of Pfizer, addresses a news conference in New York" border="0" /></a>By Ben Hirschler LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. drugmaker Pfizer fought back on Saturday against criticism that its planned takeover of rival AstraZeneca would damage Britain's science base by saying strong UK research was a key reason for the deal. Given its record of big job cuts after past acquisitions, the U.S. group has come under fire in Britain, the United States and Sweden as it weighs its next move to buy AstraZeneca, which could be a sweetened offer next week. Chief Executive Ian Read, who is due to appear before two panels of British lawmakers on May 13 and 14, said in a video that the $106 billion deal was a \&quot;win-win\&quot; for shareholders and society, and merging the two firms' research would be \&quot;easy\&quot;. The suggested deal would be the largest foreign takeover of a UK company and has provoked a political storm in Britain, with the government seeking binding commitments to protect skilled jobs and scientific research.</p><br clear="all"/>

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