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Following the Federal Trade Commission’s filing of a lawsuit to block the transaction, CSL Limited announced on June 8, 2009, that it will not proceed with its proposed $3.1 billion acquisition of Talecris Biotherapeutics. The FTC’s complaint charged that the deal would be illegal and would substantially reduce competition in the U.S. markets for four plasma-derivative protein therapies – Immune globulin (Ig), Albumin, Rho-D, and Alpha-1. These therapies are used to treat patients suffering from illnesses such as primary immunodeficiency diseases, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, alpha-1 antitrypsin disease, and hemolytic disease of the newborn.

“Yesterday’s announcement is a tremendous victory for the patients who rely on these life-sustaining treatments. Rising health care costs are a burden to all too many Americans. Blocking this deal helps prevent additional price increases,” said Richard Feinstein, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition. “If consummated, the proposed combination of CSL and Talecris would have increased the likelihood of collusion in these critical markets and led to higher healthcare costs and reduced innovation. As shown in our court filings, Commission staff gathered an impressive amount of evidence and was fully prepared to demonstrate the anticompetitive harm that would have resulted from this acquisition.”

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust@ftc.gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Room 394, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read “Competition Counts” at http://www.ftc.gov/competitioncounts.

(FTC File No. 081-2255)