EU & UK antitrust watchdogs are set to decide by this weekend whether to approve AstraZeneca’s US$39 billion bid for biopharmaceutical company Alexion, a European Commission filing revealed on Tuesday, June 1.
Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca sought approval for the deal on Monday. However, the UK’s competition regulator is reviewing the takeover bid for the US-based pharma firm, until July 5, looking at whether it could shrink competition in the UK or other markets.
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) stated that it welcomes any comments from interested parties on the deal to help its assessment, setting a deadline of June 3 for submissions.
The famed drugmaker AstraZeneca, which became a household name after its vaccine went to market, agreed to buy Alexion in December.
The eye-watering US$39 billion deal would be the vaccine makers largest-ever deal and marks a bet on the rare-disease immunology market.
The CMA review forms part of the initial analysis and is likely to be finalized by July 21, the watchdog stated.
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
EU Regulators Set to Clear Microsoft’s $13B OpenAI Investment
Apr 17, 2024 by
CPI
Biden Pledges to Block US Steel Acquisition by Japanese Firm
Apr 17, 2024 by
CPI
Canada Targets Tech Titans with New Digital Tax in 2024
Apr 17, 2024 by
CPI
EU Privacy Watchdog Calls for Meta to Offer Ad-Free Option
Apr 17, 2024 by
CPI
Japan’s Antitrust Overhaul Targets Tech Titans Like Apple
Apr 17, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – China Edition – Year of the Dragon
Apr 16, 2024 by
CPI
Review Logic and Rules for Concentrations of Undertakings that Do Not Meet the Standard of Notification
Apr 16, 2024 by
CPI
China’s Review of Semiconductor Transactions
Apr 16, 2024 by
CPI
Key Challenges and Tips for Merger Control Filing in China for Listed Companies
Apr 16, 2024 by
CPI
Key Point Review: China SPC Antitrust Judgments in 2023
Apr 16, 2024 by
CPI