Bayer, Amgen looked at Iveric before agreeing to Astellas sale - report
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Bayer (OTCPK:BAYZF) and Amgen (AMGN) were interested in Iveric Bio (NASDAQ:ISEE) before it agreed to a $5.9 billion sale to Astellas (OTCPK:ALPMF).
Iveric (ISEE) detailed in a proxy filed on Tuesday that it reached out to five parties about a bidding process, and a sixth also communicated interest in a strategic transaction. Iveric (ISEE) agreed to a $40 per share all cash sale to Astellas late last month.

Bayer (OTCPK:BAYZF) met with Iveric (ISEE) at JPMorgan's Healthcare conference earlier this year and expressed interest in acquiring the ex-US rights to Zimura, making a written offer on April 13, according to an Endpoints News report, which cited a source familiar.
Amgen (AMGN) was one of the several companies that looked at Iveric (ISEE), though it declined to make an offer, Endpoints reported.
Iveric (ISEE) rose 1.4% on Tuesday.