Acquirer(s)

  • IDEXX Laboratories Pty Limited

Target(s)

  • Veterinary pathology business assets of Healthscope Limited

Summary

IDEXX Laboratories Pty Limited proposed to acquire the veterinary pathology business assets of Healthscope Limited in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland.

Market definition

The ACCC considered the proposed acquisition in the context of the following markets:

-the market for the supply of veterinary pathology services in Queensland; and
-the market for the supply of veterinary pathology services in NSW/ACT.

Competition analysis

The ACCC concluded that the proposed acquisition was unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the relevant markets for the following reasons:

-Healthscope (trading as 'Gribbles Veterinary Pathology') did not appear likely to impose a strong competitive constraint on other veterinary pathology providers in the relevant markets in the future absent the proposed acquisition.
-Other competitive constraints on IDEXX would remain post-acquisition, including Primary Health Care Limited (trading as 'Vetnostics' in NSW/ACT and 'QML Vetnostics' in Queensland), smaller specialised laboratories and some potential for new entry.

Timeline

Date Event

ACCC commenced review under the Merger Review Process Guidelines.

Closing date for submissions from interested parties.

ACCC requested further information from the merger parties. ACCC timeline suspended. Former proposed decision date of 13 December 2012 delayed pending receipt of information from the parties.

ACCC received further information from the merger parties. ACCC timeline recommenced.

ACCC announced it would not oppose the proposed acquisition.