Commission Approves Acquisition of Ferrosan's Consumer Health Care Business by Pfizer

The Commission's examination of the proposed transaction showed that even in those Member States with the highest overlaps, the combined market shares of Pfizer and Ferrosan are in general relatively moderate, and the merged company would be constrained by a number of credible competitors.

6/13/2011 --- The European Commission has cleared under the Merger Regulation the acquisition of the consumer health care business of Ferrosan Holding A/S of Denmark by Pfizer of the US. The Commission concluded that the merged company would continue to face a number of credible competitors.

The parties' activities overlap in the supply of multivitamins with minerals in a number of Member States. The Commission's examination of the proposed transaction showed that even in those Member States with the highest overlaps, the combined market shares of Pfizer and Ferrosan are in general relatively moderate, and the merged company would be constrained by a number of credible competitors.

The Commission also examined potential issues arising from Pfizer's current ownership of Capsugel1, a producer of empty hard gelatine capsules in which Ferrosan's products are delivered and concluded that the proposed merger does not raise any concerns in this regard. As a result, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.

Pfizer is a global research-based biomedical and pharmaceutical company and also has a portfolio of consumer health products, including over-the-counter ("OTC") products, dietary supplements and personal care products. Ferrosan is active in consumer healthcare products, in particular food and nutritional supplements and vitamins and skincare products.

The deal was notified for clearance to the Commission on 2 May 2011.