Brussels, 23/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 22 July, the European Commission conditionally authorised acquisition of Swedish dialysis equipment manufacturer Gambro by rival healthcare company Baxter of the United States. The Commission had concerns that the transaction as originally notified on 3 June would have reduced effective competition on the market for continuous renal therapy technology (CRRT) in a large number of member states, but the commitments submitted by Baxter adequately address these concerns.
Baxter has agreed to divest its global CRRT business, including employees, supply agreements, intellectual property rights, product and marketing authorisations and customer portfolio. In addition, Baxter has undertaken to set up a line for the production of fluids used in CRRT at a location of the purchaser's choice in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. The Commission says these commitments are binding and makes its approval of the deal conditional upon full implementation of them. (FG/transl.fl)