Synthes-Stratec considers appealing German block:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Synthes-Stratec, the Swiss orthopaedic trauma products group, has had its acquisition of fellow Swiss group Mathys Medical blocked by competition regulators in Germany, the only country where the firms' activities overlap. Synthes-Stratec chairman and CEO Hansjorg Wyss said the company was "prepared to appeal this prohibition decision". Synthes believes that the merger does not have a negative effect on the German trauma market segment. However, the Bundeskartellamt said it would create a dominant position. The company said it would "carefully analyse the reasons for the prohibition" before making further comment. It has already closed the deal in the rest of the world (see Clinica No 1095, p 15).