Brussels, 29/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 20 January, the European Commission gave its green light, subject to conditions, to the planned acquisition of the 'Specialty and Branded Generic Business' activity of Abbott Laboratories by Mylan, Inc. on the non-US developed markets.
Abbott EPD-DM is a Swiss-based manufacturer of pharmaceutical products specialising in the distribution of branded ex-originator products with expired patents. It has internal production capabilities in Europe, Canada and Japan. Mylan is an American company focusing on the production of generic pharmaceutical products.
Following its examination of the effects of the proposed transaction, the Commission found problems relating to five products in specific geographical areas, which can be put down to the lack of substitutable products, high combined market shares of the parties on narrow markets, few competitors present and low likelihood of entry. The markets on which the Commission identified possible competition concerns are those for mebeverine in Germany and the United Kingdom, pygeum africanum in France, betahistine in Ireland and delorazepam in Italy.
To address these concerns, Mylan offered to divest its local businesses in the concerned markets, including the relevant market authorisations, customer information and supply contracts. (EL)