LONDON, Dec 14 (Reuters) - AstraZeneca said onMonday it was in talks with privately held cancer drug developerAcerta Pharma, after the Wall Street Journal reported on Fridayit was looking to acquire the business for more than $5 billion.
"AstraZeneca confirms that it is exploring potentialstrategic options with Acerta Pharma BV. There can be nocertainty that any transaction will ultimately be entered into,or as to the terms of any transaction," it said in a briefstatement. (Reporting by Ben Hirschler; Editing by Mark Potter)