FTC Approves Final Order Preserving Competition in Market for BRAF- and MEK-Inhibitor Oncology Drugs

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Novartis AG’s $16 billion acquisition of GlaxoSmithKline’s portfolio of cancer-treatment drugs likely would be anticompetitive.

Under the order, first announced in February 2015, Novartis has agreed to divest all assets related to its BRAF- and MEK-inhibitor drugs, currently in development, to Boulder, Colorado-based Array BioPharma.

The Commission vote approving the final order was 5-0. (FTC File 141-0141; the staff contact is Stephanie Bovee, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2083)

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust@ftc.gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., Room CC-5422, Washington, DC 20580. To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.