The European Commission approved, on April 19, a takeover of the U.S. surgical equipment company Synthes by pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson (IW 1000/54) in exchange for J&Js divestment of other units.
The acquisition was said to be worth around $21.3 billion.
An extensive Commission probe found that, following divestments by Johnson & Johnson of activities in the trauma sector, the entity created by the deal would continue to confront several powerful competitors, a statement said.
Competition commissioner Joaquin Almunia added that J&J had pledged corrective measures to guarantee substantial competition in the interest of patients and national health care programs.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2012
See Also
Johnson & Johnson to Fight $1.2 Billion Fine
