** Abivax ABVX.PA stock up 8% after media reports takeover bid by Eli Lilly LLY.N
** ABVX is top performer on SBF120 index .SBF120, which is down 0.3%
** French outlet La Lettre reports Eli Lilly met with France’s Treasury in early December to gauge regulatory approval for a potential takeover of the biotech firm
** Reuters could not immediately confirm the report
** ABVX says, "we do not comment on market rumors or speculation"
** Trader flags that speculation of a deal between the two companies has heightened
** "If a meeting has truly taken place with the French general directorate of the Treasury, then it would indicate a price between LLY and ABVX has been agreed in principle," says the trader
(Reporting by Clement Martinot)
((Clement.Martinot@thomsonreuters.com;))
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