After Staples and Office Depot Abandon Proposed Merger FTC Dismisses Case from Administrative Trial Process

Following the decision last week by Staples and Office Depot to abandon their proposed merger, the Federal Trade Commission has dismissed its case challenging the transaction before the Commission’s administrative trial process. In light of those events, FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez issued the following statement: “This outcome bodes well for business customers in the market […]

FTC Requires Industrial Gas Suppliers to Divest Assets as a Condition of Merger

Two of the largest suppliers of gases, American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. and Airgas, Inc., have agreed to divest certain production and distribution assets to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that their proposed $13.4 billion merger likely would have harmed competition and led to higher prices in several U.S. and regional markets. The companies will […]

FTC Approves Modified Final Order Addressing Competitive Concerns about Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC’s Acquisition of Roxane

The Federal Trade Commission has approved a modified final order settling charges that Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC’s $2 billion acquisition of  Roxane Laboratories Inc. and Boehringer Ingelheim Roxane, Inc. from Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation would likely be anticompetitive. Under the terms of the order, Hikma is required to divest to Pennsylvania-based Renaissance Pharma, Inc. the rights and […]

FTC Requests Public Comment on ProMedica Health System’s Application to Approve Divestiture of former Rival St. Luke’s Hospital

The Federal Trade Commission is currently accepting public comments on ProMedica Health Systems’ application to divest St. Luke’s Hospital. The divestiture is required by the Commission’s final order issued in connection with the Commission’s ruling that ProMedica’s acquisition of former rival St. Luke’s was likely to substantially lessen competition and increase prices for general acute-care […]

Supplier of High-Performance Polymer for Medical Implants Settles FTC Charges that It Monopolized Sales to World’s Largest Medical Device Makers

A company that supplies some of the world’s largest medical device makers with a high-performance polymer used to make spinal and other medical implants has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it violated federal antitrust law by using long-term exclusive contracts to maintain its monopoly. According to the FTC’s administrative complaint, Invibio was […]

FTC Approves Final Order Preserving Competition for Generic Drugs that Treat Bacterial Infections and Ulcerative Colitis

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Lupin’s proposed $850 million acquisition of Gavis would likely be anticompetitive. Under the order, first announced in February 2016, the companies are required to divest two dosage strengths of generic doxycycline monohydrate capsules, which are used to treat […]

Star Pipe Products, Ltd. Agrees to $120,000 Civil Penalty and New Obligations to Settle Charges that It Violated FTC Order

Star Pipe Products, Ltd., a supplier of ductile iron pipe fittings, will pay $120,000 in civil penalties to resolve Federal Trade Commission allegations that it violated a 2012 Commission order prohibiting it from sharing competitively sensitive information. It also has agreed to an order modification that adds training and notification obligations to prevent future violations. […]

FTC Approves Modification of Final Order Related to Pfizer’s 2009 Acquisition of Wyeth

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved an application by Pfizer Inc. to modify the FTC’s January 2010 final order, which settled the FTC’s competition concerns arising from Pfizer’s 2009 acquisition of Wyeth. The final order remedied the likely anticompetitive effects of the acquisition in numerous markets for animal health products, […]

FTC Approves Modified Final Order for Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC

The Federal Trade Commission has approved a modified final order settling charges that Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC’s acquisition of the rights to various drug products and related assets from Ben Venue Laboratories, Inc. was anticompetitive. Under the terms of the settlement, Hikma is required to divest assets related to five generic injectable drugs to Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, […]

Statement of FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in McWane Inc. v. FTC

Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s denial of certiorari in McWane Inc. v. FTC. The Court declined to review an April 2015 decision of the Eleventh Circuit upholding a Commission cease and desist order against McWane for unlawfully maintaining its monopoly in the market for domestically manufactured […]