Pfizer cuddling up to Ranbaxy

Over the last week or two news stories have caught my eye. Pharmexec Europe ran a story last week that Pfizer were looking at putting a bid in for Ranbaxy. tinyurl.com/4b2ehc

I think that Ranbaxy are one of the prime examples of the growth in recent years of the generics market in recent years.

The next story which caught my eye in the same publication concerns a deal reached between Ranbaxy and Pfizer to market a generic version of Lipitor. tinyurl.com/3mclt5

Is the Pfizer interest in Ranbaxy in a more advanced state than is public? The agreement is beneficial to both parties however it is surely more beneficial if Ranbaxy were to be part held by Pfizer?