OAO Severstal's $670 million takeover bid for Esmark Inc. won the official support of majority shareholder Franklin Mutual Advisers LLC because it is favored by the United Steelworkers union, which represents workers at the steelmaker. Franklin said yesterday in a regulatory filing that it was tendering its 60 percent stake in Wheeling, W.Va.-based Esmark to Severstal's $17-per-share offer because it has the best chance to succeed. India's Essar Steel Holdings Ltd. also has bid $17 a share for the steelmaker.

Mylan Inc. said it would begin selling a copy of the Abbott Laboratories epilepsy drug Depakote ER by Jan. 1 under a settlement of a patent-infringement suit. Cecil-based Mylan will have 180 days of exclusive rights to a 500-milligram version of the drug when it is introduced, the company said yesterday in a regulatory filing. The agreement also provides for a license for Depakote ER in the 250-milligram strength. The drug is used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and epilepsy.

Medical Sensors Technologies Inc., or Mesotec, has opened an office in Green Tree for development of a new ophthalmic device to help in glaucoma management. The startup has relocated from Hannover, Germany, and will oversee clinical trials here. The company's owners, Chief Executive Officer Max Ostermeier and Chief Technology Officer Stefan Meyer, employ three and hope to hire an additional half-dozen or so workers by the time they take the product to market in early 2010.

Verizon Wireless has agreed to buy Alltel Corp. for $28.1 billion in cash and debt. Verizon Wireless will get 13 million clients and plans to reap $9 billion in total savings from the purchase.

Consol miner dies in W.Va.

A 55-year-old miner employed by Consol Energy died of unknown causes at the company's Robinson Run mine in Harrison County, W.Va. The company said the injuries to Gary Hoffman suggested an equipment accident. The state Office of Miners' Health Safety and Training is investigating.

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged up this week to 6.09 percent from 6.08 percent last week. Rates on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages were at 5.65 percent vs. 5.66 percent last week.