Parent May Buy Rest of Rhone-Poulenc Rorer

The French parent of Rhone-Poulenc Rorer said it is considering a $4.3-billion offer to buy the remaining third of the U.S. drug maker and spin off its own chemicals and fibers business. The move, a sign that parent Rhone-Poulenc wants a larger share of the lucrative Collegeville, Pa., pharmaceutical company’s profit, will be considered at the company’s board meeting Wednesday. The companies have a “standstill” agreement that bars any acquisition until after the end of next month. The tentative $92-a-share offer drove RPR shares up $11.56 to close at $91 on the New York Stock Exchange. RPR had sales of $5.42 billion in 1996. Separately, the Paris-based parent said it is considering spinning off its chemicals, fibers and polymers businesses by next year.