Announced Actions for February 18, 1997

Applications for approval of transactions: The FTC has received an application for approval of a transaction from the following. The FTC is seeking public comments on the application for 30 days, until March 18.

• Novartis AG, the entity created by the merger of Ciba-Geigy Limited and Sandoz Ltd., has applied for FTC approval to divest the Sandoz flea control business to Central Garden and Pet Supply, of Lafayette California. Novartis is based in Basil, Switzerland. Divestiture is required by a December 1996 proposed consent order settling charges that the Ciba-Sandoz merger could result in higher prices for consumers and reduced innovation in new products in the flea control field. The divestiture was designed to restore competition in that market. (See Dec. 17, 1996 news release for more details regarding this case; File No. 961-0055) Staff contact is Daniel Ducore, 202-327- 2526.

Comments on the application should be addressed to the FTC, Office of the Secretary, 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580; Copies of the documents referenced above are available from the Public Reference Branch, Room 130 at the same address; 202-326-2222; TTY for the hearing impaired 1-866-653-4261. To find out the latest news as it is announced, call the FTC NewsPhone recording at 202-326- 2710. FTC news releases and other materials also are available on the Internet at the FTC’s World Wide Web site at: http://www.ftc.gov