Sanofi, Genzyme mull offer adjustments before Dec. 10 deadline

As time runs down on Sanofi-Aventis' $69-per-share offer for Genzyme --the offer expires Dec. 10--both sides are still far apart on an agreement.

As time runs down on Sanofi-Aventis' ($SNY) $69-per-share offer for Genzyme ($GENZ)--the offer expires Dec. 10--both sides are still far apart on an agreement. "I talk to these shareholders, I know them, and it's very clear from them that $69 is just not the price. It's not even a good starting point," said Ralph Whitworth, a Genzyme board member and shareholder, to CNBC; still, Sanofi is unlikely to budge. And one of the biggest sources of financial disagreement is Genzyme's multiple sclerosis drug, Campath.

Genzyme representatives have suggested a new offer with a contingent value right (CVR) that would reward shareholders if Campath does well in the market. The company believes the drug could reach $3.5 billion in sales, which could amount to a $20 CVR per share. But Sanofi doesn't believe a deal containing a CVR, even at $5 or $10 per share, will go through. "Either you believe in something and you buy it or you don't buy it," a source told the Financial Times.