Cytokinetics Said to Weigh Options Amid Takeover Interest (1)

Cytokinetics Inc., a late-stage biotech firm developing cardiovascular treatments, is exploring options after receiving takeover interest, people with knowledge of the matter said.

The South San Francisco-based company has attracted interest from at least one major drugmaker in recent months, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. It’s now evaluating its next steps, according to the people.

Shares of Cytokinetics rose as much as 14% on Tuesday. They were up 6.1% to $34.03 at 12:41 p.m. in New York trading, giving the company a market value of about $3.3 billion.

Potential suitors may ...