The trend of medical firms consolidating to form large groups is only continuing to grow.

 Ventas Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Debra Cafaro said in the statement. “We are continuing our focus on private-pay assets, expanding our industry-leading medical-office building footprint and international presence.” Ventas also purchased 29 senior housing communities in Canada from Holiday Retirement, in a deal worth $900 million USD. 

Pfizer, the largest U.S. drug maker has stepped away from talks with AstraZeneca after their record final offer of $117 billion.  Under U.K. regulations, the companies have a cooling-off period of at least three months before they can restart negotiations.