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FTC approves Grifols agreement to acquire Talecris
Reuters
MADRID — The Spain-based biotechnology company Grifols has received U.S. antitrust approval for its $4 billion takeover of Talecris Biotherapeutics, creating the world’s third-largest player in blood-derived products.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved the acquisition today, after Grifols agreed in May to remedies including some asset sales to get the green light on the deal.
Talecris is the manufacturer of Prolastin-C, the dominant augmentation therapy for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency in the United States.
The Spanish company, as a concession to Italian competitor Kedrion, agreed to divest in a plant in New York, two centers in Alabama and North Carolina and the exclusive rights to sell the hemophilia therapy Factor VIII under the Koate brand as part of the deal.
Grifols launched an offer for Talecris last June in a move to expand its business in blood-derived products and compete with larger rivals Baxter and Australia’s CSL.
The four companies make treatments derived from donated blood plasma for use in patients with a range of conditions, including Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, hemophilia and immune system deficiencies.
Grifols said it would start on the integration of Talecris this month.
