Pfizer Avoids Job-Cut Specifics in AstraZeneca Testimony

Pfizer Inc. Chief Executive Officer Ian Read refused to be pinned down on his commitment to preserve jobs in the U.K. as skeptical lawmakers grilled him about the company’s unsolicited offer for AstraZeneca Plc.

AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot followed Read, telling the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee he couldn’t rule out accepting an offer from Pfizer. The U.S. company plans to sweeten the 60.4-billion-pound ($101.9 billion) bid for a second time, people with knowledge of the matter said. Pfizer may wait until after the hearings to offer more, they said.