WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Feb. 24 that, following a public comment period, it has approved a final order settling charges that Boehringer Ingelheim’s $13.53 billion asset swap with Paris-based Sanofi would likely be anti-competitive.
The FTC had alleged that without a settlement, the swap would have harmed U.S. market competition for different products, including vaccines for companion animals, or pets, and select parasite control products for cattle and sheep.
Under the final order, Boehringer Ingelheim will divest select canine, feline and rabies vaccines to Eli Lilly and Company and its Elanco animal health division. Additionally, Boehringer Ingelheim must divest to Bayer AG select parasite control products.
The FTC voted 3-0 to approve the final order. The staff contact for the case is Michael Barnett of the Bureau of Competition.