Novartis AG - proposed acquisition of Alcon Laboratories Inc
Type of assessment
Informal Review
Reference
40322
Acquirer(s)
Novartis AG
Target(s)
Alcon Laboratories Inc
Industry
Pharmaceuticals - vision care products
Summary
Novartis AG (Novartis) proposes to acquire a majority interest in Alcon Laboratories Inc (Alcon). Both Novartis and Alcon have global operations in the research and development, manufacturing and marketing of human health care products. In Australia, Novartis and Alcon's businesses overlap in the vision care sector.
Outcome of assessment
Not opposed subject to undertakings
Total review days *
42
Commenced public review
8th April 2010
Date completed
29th July 2010
Market definition
Please see the attached Public Competition Assessment.
Competition analysis
Please see the attached Public Competition Assessment.
Public competition assessment
Public Competition Assessment 31st August 2010 D10+3669707.pdf (1.2 MB)
Undertakings
Final 87B Undertakings 29th July 2010 D10+3653632.pdf (1.1 MB)
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today announced that it will not oppose the pr...
Issued: 29th July 2010 Release # NR 154/10
Review timeline
Date
Event
8th April 2010
ACCC commenced review under the Merger Review Process Guidelines.
29th April 2010
Closing date for submissions from interested parties.
25th May 2010
In order to allow the ACCC to conduct further inquiries, ACCC timeline suspended. Former proposed date for announcement of ACCC's findings of 27 May 2010 deferred.
16th July 2010
Divestiture proposal proffered by Novartis. ACCC commenced market inquiries on divestiture proposal. ACCC timeline recommenced.
29th July 2010
ACCC announced it would not oppose the proposed acquisition, subject to court enforceable undertaking offered by Novartis.
29th July 2010
87B undertaking accepted by ACCC.
* Total Review days = Total business days less public holidays and time during which the review was suspended.
