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European Commission clears Pfizer/Wyeth merger at Phase I, subject to conditions

On 17 July 2009 the European Commission cleared the proposed acquisition of Wyeth by Pfizer, subject to conditions. Both companies are active in the fields of human pharmaceuticals and animal health products. The proposed merger gave rise to well over 200 national affected markets, the majority of which were subject to some further investigation by the Commission. In the human health area, the main issues investigated by the Commission related to the parties' current and future positions in therapies for kidney cancer (mRCC) and Alzheimer's disease, as well as the appropriate market definition for certain antibiotics products. In animal health, the Commission's investigation involved a detailed examination of a significant number of national markets for various existing and pipeline products. The Commission cleared the transaction without requiring any remedies in the area of human health; while in the area of animal health, Pfizer offered to divest a number of products in several national markets in animal health vaccines, pharmaceuticals and medicinal feed additives, as well as a manufacturing facility.

A team from CRA International's London and Brussels offices advised Pfizer during the Commission's investigation. The CRA team, led by Matthias Pflanz, included Hristina Dantcheva, Rameet Sangha, Elina Koustoumpardi, Andy Parkinson and Jonathan Raggett.

The Commission's press release is available here.

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