Several of the world's top drugmakers may weigh acquiring Bristol Myers Squibb Co. after it fired its chief executive, although suitors seem unlikely to bid before next summer, analysts said.

While Sanofi Aventis SA (SASY.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) of France, its long time partner on the blockbuster drug Plavix and the world's No. 3 pharmaceuticals manufacturer, is seen as the most likely buyer, others are also expected to be interested.

I think a lot of people will feel they have to look at it, said Paul Diggle, an industry analyst at Nomura Code Securities in London.

Bristol Myers on Tuesday forced out CEO Peter Dolan, under pressure from a federal overseer who called for Dolan's ouster after looking into a failed deal to delay Plavix competition.

The New York based company, which by policy does not comment on market speculation, replaced him on an interim basis with board member James Cornelius an appointment that intrigued analysts because the former Guidant chairman helped engineer the medical device maker's sale to Boston Scientific Corp.

Merrill Lynch analyst David Risinger counts Sanofi, Pfizer, Merck & Co. and GlaxoSmithKline Plc as potential contenders.

Shaojing Tong of Mehta Partners named Glaxo, Europe's biggest drugmaker, the ideal candidate.

Acquiring Bristol Myers would jump start Glaxo's cardiovascular offerings by adding Plavix, which treats blood clots, and Avapro, a blood pressure drug, while also boosting its cancer treatment franchise, Tong said.

Several of the world's top drugmakers may weigh acquiring Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. after it fired its chief executive, although suitors seem unlikely to bid before next summer, analysts said.

While Sanofi Aventis SA of France, its long time partner on the blockbuster drug Plavix and the world's No. 3 pharmaceuticals manufacturer, is seen as the most likely buyer, others are also expected to be interested.

I think a lot of people will feel they have to look at it, said Paul Diggle, an industry analyst at Nomura Code Securities in London.

Bristol Myers on Tuesday forced out CEO Peter Dolan, under pressure from a federal overseer who called for Dolan's ouster after looking into a failed deal to delay Plavix competition.

The New York based company, which by policy does not comment on market speculation, replaced him on an interim basis with board member James Cornelius an appointment that intrigued analysts because the former Guidant chairman helped engineer the medical device maker's sale to Boston Scientific Corp.

Merrill Lynch analyst David Risinger counts Sanofi, Pfizer, Merck & Co. and GlaxoSmithKline Plc as potential contenders.

Shaojing Tong of Mehta Partners named Glaxo, Europe's biggest drugmaker, the ideal candidate.

Acquiring Bristol Myers would jump start Glaxo's cardiovascular offerings by adding Plavix, which treats blood clots, and Avapro, a blood-pressure drug, while also boosting its cancer treatment franchise, Tong said.

The problem with Plavix is the drug is still at risk from a patent perspective, Natexis Bleichroeder analyst Jon LeCroy said. No one really is going to want to pay for the company while that is being processed through the courts.

Bristol Myers also is operating under a deferred prosecution agreement, under which the U.S. government is monitoring the company's conduct, following a probe of an inventory scandal. The agreement, which also could turn off buyers, is expected to end in June 2007.

John Farrall, a health care analyst with National City Private Client Group, which holds about $100 million in Bristol Myers shares, said any possible takeover would not happen for at least six to nine months. In his view, such a wait would be a good thing.

As a shareholder, I would like to see them get their house in order, so if a bidder does emerge it's based on their strengths rather than the recent scandals, Farrall said.

Merrill Lynch