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UK/EU: UK facing fight to review $106B Pfizer, AstraZeneca deal

By  |  May 8, 2014

UK regulators would likely have to fight to win jurisdiction over the $100 billion merger review of pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and AstraZeneca, according to competition experts.

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    The deal is so large, according to reports, that the European Commission would likely intervene if the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority tried to take control of the investigation.

    Pfizer has offered $106 billion to acquire the pharma rival, but AstraZeneca has reportedly rejected the bid. A deal could still be struck, reports say, as Pfizer appears to be willing to increase its offer.

    According to reports, UK Prime Minster David Cameron said he would like to see significant concessions from Pfizer before allowing the two to merge, but competition lawyers told reporters that should Cameron intervene in the deal, the Commission would likely take over.

    Full content: Chicago Tribune

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