Abbott/Alere cleared by EC, subject to conditions

The European Commission has approved Abbott’s acquisition of Alere in Phase I, subject to divestments in point-of-care testing of blood gases and cardiac markers. Both Abbott and Alere supply clinical test systems. Subject to the proposed commitments however, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not raise any competition concerns as the parties’ activities are largely complementary (Abbott has a broader portfolio of laboratory systems, and Alere focuses on point-of-care).

A CRA team led by Raphaël De Coninck and including Elina Koustoumpardi, Sam Brown, Simon Chisholm, James Andrews and Emily Silcock advised and provided economic support to both parties during the proceedings in front of the European Commission.

For more details, please see the European Commission’s press release here.