AstraZeneca acquisition of Alexion comes under UK CMA’s scanner

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a phase 1 merger inquiry into $39 billion AstraZeneca‘s acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, a US biopharma company engaged in developing therapies for rare disorders.

The British competition regulator will study if the deal announced in December 2020 will lead to a considerable reduction of competition within any market or markets in the UK for goods or services.

To help it with the assessment, the CMA is seeking feedback on the deal from any interested party before a deadline of 3 June 2021. The CMA is scheduled to make its phase 1 decision on AstraZeneca acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals on 21 July 2021.

UK CMA launches phase 1 merger inquiry into AstraZeneca acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals. Photo courtesy of AstraZeneca.

Earlier this month, AstraZeneca secured its shareholders’ approval for the deal, which is anticipated to close in Q3 2021, subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.