Brussels, 15/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has cleared, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of Altana Pharma Aktiengesellschaft of Germany by Nycomed of Denmark.
The activities of Nycomed and Altana are largely complementary, so overlap is limited. The Commission examined three product markets: proton pump inhibitors (PPIs - drugs to reduce the production of gastric acid in Austria and Belgium, and tonics in Belgium. For both PPIs and tonics, the Commission decided the proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition as the new entity would continue to face competition from other large pharmaceutical companies selling this type of product.
Overall, the Commission investigation did not reveal any competition concerns arising from the transaction. (cd)