US FTC clears Pfizer’s purchase of Hospira

Generics and biosimilars Initiative

Building trust in cost-effective treatments

Inscribirse
eng / esp

US FTC clears Pfizer’s purchase of Hospira

INICIO/Noticias Farmacéuticas | Posted 04/09/2015 0 Post your comment

Pharma giant Pfizer announced on 24 August 2015 that the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) terminated the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, with respect to Pfizer’s pending acquisition of US-based injectable generics specialist and biosimilars maker Hospira.

The FTC’s clearance is, however, conditional and depends upon Pfizer’s commitment to divest four US sterile injectable products, including acetylcysteine, clindamycin, voriconazole and melphalan.

Pfizer also announced that it had received unconditional clearance from Brazil’s Superintendency-General of the Council for Economic Defence (Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica, CADE).

Hospira’s products are expected to be integrated into Pfizer’s generics unit, Global Established Products (GEP). It is widely thought that the GEP is being prepared for a potential spinoff. Following which, the GEP would become the largest developer of biosimilars and generics by 2018 [1].

Hospira had an infliximab biosimilar (Inflextra) approved by the European Medicines Agency in 2013, a filgrastim biosimilar (Nivestim) approved in 2010 and an epoetin zeta biosimilar (Retacrit) approved in 2007 [2]. The company recently submitted an application to the US Food and Drug Administration for an epoetin alfa biosimilar [3]. Hospira is reportedly developing biosimilars for 11 biologicals, targeting an opportunity of US$40 billion.

Pfizer sets to lead biosimilars and generics markets

References
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Pfizer sets to lead biosimilars and generics markets [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2015 Sep 4]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Pharma-News/Pfizer-sets-to-lead-biosimilars-and-generics-markets
2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Biosimilars approved in Europe [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2015 Sep 4]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/General/Biosimilars-approved-in-Europe
3. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Hospira submits application to FDA for epoetin alfa biosimilar [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2015 Sep 4]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/News/Hospira-submits-application-to-FDA-for-epoetin-alfa-biosimilar

Permission granted to reproduce for personal and non-commercial use only. All other reproduction, copy or reprinting of all or part of any ‘Content’ found on this website is strictly prohibited without the prior consent of the publisher. Contact the publisher to obtain permission before redistributing.

Source: FTC, Pfizer