AstraZeneca rejects Pfizer\\\'s final $117b bid, shares plunge

British drugmaker AstraZeneca on Monday rejected a final $117-billion takeover bid from US rival Pfizer, appearing to put an end to the saga. Pfizer had lodged a fourth and final offer worth 85 billion euros or £69 billion on Sunday, pitched at £55 per share, adding it would not proceed without a recommendation from management. Monday’s announcement sent AstraZeneca's share price tumbling by as much as 15 per cent in morning deals. It later pulled back to stand at £43.09, down 10.66 per cent from Friday’s close. London’s FTSE 100 index was 0.65-per cent lower at 6,811.25 points, according to AFP.