AstraZeneca’s proposed acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc received an OK from federal antitrust regulators.
It follows the conclusion of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.
Fierce Pharma reported the $39 billion deal came without any restrictions, such as selling off operations, in an early test on the Biden-Harris Administration’s antitrust stance.
The announcement follows competition clearances in Canada, Brazil, Russia and other countries. Additional global regulatory clearances are pending, including but not limited to the UK, EU and Japan.
Marc Dunoyer, executive director and chief financial officer, said: “These clearances further advance us towards closing our acquisition of Alexion. We remain focused on the next chapter for AstraZeneca and Alexion, building on our combined expertise in immunology and precision medicines and our shared ambition to bring more innovative medicines to patients worldwide. We look forward to working closely with other global authorities as we progress toward this goal.”
Alexion has technology platforms and a drug pipeline that focus on rare diseases. The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter, subject to receipt of additional global regulatory clearances and approval by shareholders of both companies.
Subject to a successful completion of the acquisition, a dedicated business unit will be created, known as ‘Alexion, The AstraZeneca Rare Disease Unit’, headquartered in Boston. AstraZeneca, based in the United Kingdom, has headquarters, logistics and manufacturing operations in northern Delaware.
