VENTURE CAPITAL POST

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (VRX.TO) is near a deal to buy Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (SLXP.O) for about $10 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.

Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd said it would restate financial statements for all of 2013 and the first three quarters of 2014, adding to the drugmaker's list of woes.

Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd SXLP.O, a maker of bowel drugs, is working with investment bank Centerview Partners Holdings LP to explore its options, including a potential sale to a larger drugmaker, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Allergan Inc is close to a buyout deal worth up to $65.5 billion by Actavis Plc, one that could end months of pursuit by Canada’s Valeant Pharmaceuticals and William Ackman's hedge fund, Pershing Square Capital Management, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Actavis Plc (ACT.N) plans to approach Allergan Inc (AGN.N) again about a potential merger, as the Botox maker warms up to the possibility of a sale, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

Some of the top 20 investors at Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (SLXP.O) are threatening to vote down a proposed deal to buy a unit of Cosmo Pharmaceuticals SpA (COPN.S), and are pressing Salix to consider selling itself instead, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.