** France's Abivax ABVX.PA rises 14% after French media La Lettre reports it has granted AstraZeneca exclusive access to confidential information until 23 March to allow the British pharmaceutical giant to formalise a takeover offer

** La Lettre previously reported a rumoured 15 billion dollars bid by Eli Lilly in January 2026 that did not materialise, and the shares have been volatile for months amid recurring takeover speculation

** Kempen analyst Sebastiaan van der Schoot says "it is logical to assume that Abivax is engaged in discussions with multiple strategics," adding that any bidding process is more likely to take place after a phase 3 clinical trial readout expected in the late second quarter of 2026

** Abivax declined to comment, saying it does "not comment on market rumours or speculation."

** Shares on track for best day since December 2025, when it closed 15.4 % higher

(Reporting by Jerome Terroy)

((jerome.terroy@thomsonreuters.com))