AstraZeneca is one step closer to acquiring Alexion Pharmaceuticals having been cleared by the US Federal Trade Commission after an antitrust review, the company stated.
The Cambridge, UK, pharmaceutical and biotechnology company said the US clearance follows competition clearances in Canada, Brazil, Russia, and other countries globally.
“Additional global regulatory clearances are pending, including but not limited to the UK, EU and Japan,” the company added.
The deal is valued at US$39 billion. AstraZeneca expects to close the acquisition in the third quarter.
AstraZeneca in December agreed to pay US$175 a share for the Boston pharmaceutical company, which is known for its focus on rare and ultra-rare disease. Alexion holders will own around 15% of AstraZeneca’s shares outstanding when the deal closes.
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