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UPDATE 1-Shire, AbbVie to announce $53 bln merger by Friday -sources

Reuters - UK Focus

(Corrects paragraph 7 to show failed bid for AstraZeneca happened in May not June))

By Olivia Oran and Soyoung Kim

July 17 (Reuters) - Shire Plc (LSE: SHP.L - news) and U.S. drugmaker Abbvie Inc (NYSE: ABBV - news) plan to announce a $53 billion merger as soon as Friday morning, two people said on Thursday.

Dublin-based Shire, which sells drugs for rare diseases, said earlier this week it was ready to recommend a deal to shareholders after AbbVie increased its offer.

AbbVie, which is based in Chicago and makes top-selling arthritis drug Humira, boosted its bid for Shire to 53.20 pounds per share on Sunday. Shire has rejected four previous bids.

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The people cautioned the deal could still take longer to complete and the deadline for an offer could be extended.

Under British takeover rules AbbVie has until July 18 to announce a firm offer for Shire, extend the deadline for an offer, or walk away.

AbbVie is eager to buy Shire both to reduce its U.S. tax bill by moving its tax base to Britain - a tactic known as inversion - and to diversify its drug portfolio. AbbVie currently generates nearly 60 percent of its revenue from Humira, the world's top-selling medicine, which loses U.S. patent protection in late 2016.

AbbVie's move is the second attempt by a U.S. drugmaker to buy a London-listed rival after Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE - news) 's $118 billion pursuit of AstraZeneca Plc (NYSE: AZN - news) failed in May over price.

Reuters reported on Saturday that Shire had asked AbbVie to sweeten its offer to near 53 pounds per share so it could recommend the deal. Shire confirmed the news on Monday.

Representatives for Shire and AbbVie declined to comment. (Reporting by Olivia Oran. Editing by Andre Grenon)