CC to investigate tracer merger

25 Mar 2014 02:50 PM

The Competition Commission (CC) is to investigate the completed acquisition by Alliance Medical Group Limited (Alliance) of the assets of IBA Molecular UK Limited used to produce Fluorodeoxyglucose 18F (FDG-18).

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has referred the case to the CC, which will decide whether the acquisition may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition in any market or markets for goods or services in the UK.

Both parties supply FDG-18, which is a radioactive tracer used in medical imaging scans for the diagnosis of cancer and is purchased by NHS England, hospitals and other diagnosis centres. It can only be used for a limited time after it is made because it is radioactive and has a two hour half-life.

The CC is expected to publish its final report by 7 September 2014.

The CC would like to hear from all interested parties, in writing, by no later than 14 April 2014.

To submit evidence, please email Alliance.IBA@cc.gsi.gov.uk or write to:

Inquiry Manager
Alliance/IBA merger inquiry
Competition Commission
Victoria House
Southampton Row
LONDON
WC1B 4AD

Notes for editors

1. The CC is an independent public body, which carries out investigations into mergers, markets and the regulated industries. In April, the CC will join with the competition and certain consumer functions of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to form the new Competition and Markets Authority, which will continue with this inquiry and other work inherited from the two organisations.

2. The Enterprise Act 2002 empowers the OFT to refer to the CC completed or proposed mergers for investigation and report which create or enhance a 25 per cent share of supply in the UK (or a substantial part thereof) or where the UK turnover associated with the enterprise being acquired is over £70 million.

3. The CC has a 24-week period in which it is required to publish its report, which may be extended by no more than eight weeks if it considers that there are special reasons why the report cannot be published within that period.

4. Further information on this inquiry, including the terms of reference and other key documents, as well as on the CC and its procedures, including its policy on the provision of information and the disclosure of evidence, can be obtained from the CC website at:www.competition-commission.org.uk.

5. Enquiries should be directed to Rory Taylor or Siobhan Allen or by ringing 020 7271 0242