Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Thursday December 17, 2015

The following are the M&A deals, rumors and chatter circulating on Wall Street for Thursday December 17, 2015:

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AstraZeneca

announced Thursday, that it has agreed to acquire a 55% stake in privately-held Acerta Pharma, for an upfront payment of $2.5 billion. A further unconditional payment of $1.5 billion will be paid either on receipt of the first regulatory approval for acalabrutinib for any indication in the US, or the end of 2018, depending on which is first. The agreement also includes options fot the remaining 45% of shares in Acerta. The transaction is expected to completed by the end of Q1 of 2016. AstraZeneca fell $0.43 Thursday, closing at $33.36

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Shares of Xerox

spiked higher Thursday, on a

rumor that the company has hired Goldman Sachs to assist it in a strategic review process, according to sources. Carl Icahn has taken an 8.1% stake in Xerox. A Xerox spokesperson was not available for comment. Xerox fell $0.08 Thursday, closing at $10.19.

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Alimera Sciences Inc

is exploring strategic alternatives, including a potential sale, according to sources as reported by

on Thursday. Alimera is said to have contacted investment banks for assistance in the process. Alimera did not respond to requests for comment. Alimera Sciences closed at $2.96, up 25%.