Sanofi SA is in talks to acquire Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd. in a deal valued at up to $30 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported Dec. 13, citing sources.

The news follows Johnson & Johnson's decision to abandon a potential takeover of Actelion, which was asking for more than the U.S. pharma giant was willing to pay.

Johnson & Johnson's initial offer for Actelion was CHF246 per share, valuing the company at $26 billion, which Actelion rejected.

Actelion confirmed it was in talks with another party regarding a possible transaction following the Johnson & Johnson split. Sources say that party is Sanofi.

Sanofi reportedly aims to add Actelion's rare-disease drugs to its aging portfolio, which is losing patent protection.