1. Scrip
  2. >>Business
  3. >>Deals

How AstraZeneca Overcame US Anti-Trust Obstacles For Alexion Deal

CFO Confident Of Closing In Q3

 
• By Kevin Grogan

While the sector is gripped by fears that overly zealous anti-competition regulators pose a threat to future M&A biopharma deals, AstraZeneca's acquisition of Alexion has sauntered through the US FTC's review. Its CFO Marc Dunoyer tells Scrip why the company is not surprised.

obstacle
FTC proved no obstacle for AstraZeneca • Source: Alamy

AstraZeneca PLC has comfortably leapt over the antitrust hurdles in the US that some analysts thought could scupper, or least slow down, its $39bn acquisition of rare disease specialist Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. and the firm is on track to seal the deal, unveiled in December, in the third quarter.

The US Federal Trade Commission announced last month that it would be taking an aggressive approach to biopharma M&A, saying...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Deals

Novo Nordisk Teams With Deep Apple On Non-Incretin Obesity Approach

 
• By Joseph Haas

Novo Nordisk will partner with privately held Deep Apple to study a novel, non-incretin target that could be better suited than GLP-1s for long-term obesity treatment.

Will Pfizer Walk Away From Arvinas After PROTAC Disappointment?

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

Arvinas and Pfizer have just filed the potential first-in-class protein degrader vepdegestrant, but its diminished commercial prospects after mixed Phase III data mean Pfizer could exit.

A MoonLake Buyout Would Boost Merck & Co’s Immunology Ambitions

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

As the patent protection clock ticks down on Merck’s flagship blockbuster Keytruda, the company is reported to be pursuing the inflammation and immunology biotech. Such a move would bulk up its sparse I&I pipeline.

Deal Watch: Lilly Licenses Camurus’s Delivery Technology For Long-Acting Incretins

 
• By Joseph Haas

Plus deals involving Roche/Vividion, Alto/Chase, Biogen/City Therapeutics, Sanofi/Nurix and Naya/Invo.

More from Business

Insmed’s PAH Data Indicate Potential To Surpass Established Therapies

 
• By Joseph Haas

Insmed’s inhaled treprostinil exceeded goals for reducing pulmonary vascular resistance and improving six-minute walk test distance in Phase IIb data.

Stock Watch: On Q1 Vaccine Sales And Measles Outbreaks

 
• By Andy Smith

A recent study suggested that measles could become endemic in the US due to low vaccination rates. However, first-quarter vaccine sales offered a more nuanced picture.

Merck & Co.’s RSV Antibody Approved In US In Time To Compete With Blockbuster Beyfortus

 
• By Mandy Jackson

The US FDA approved Merck’s Enflonsia (clesrovimab) to prevent RSV in newborns and infants on the same day Sanofi assured that it would ship Beyfortus in time for the 2025-2026 RSV season.