Proposed Merger between GSK Trading Services Limited and UCB SA

Reference: 400/002/09
Notifying Parties: GSK Trading Services Limited and UCB SA
Notifying Date: 13 February 2009
Summary of transaction:

PART 5
INFORMATION FOR THE CCS PUBLIC REGISTER
(TO BE COMPLETED BY THE APPLICANT(S))

1. The Applicants

This notification is made jointly by the acquiring party, GSK Trading Services Limited (“GSK”) and the vendor, UCB SA (“UCB”), (collectively, the “Parties”).

2. Description of the merger

This notification is in relation to the acquisition by GSK of certain rights to distribute and market selected pharmaceutical products in certain emerging markets from UCB, including Singapore. In Singapore, GSK is also acquiring UCB’s local subsidiary. The Parties submit that given the large number of major players in the Singaporean market, availability of substitute products such as generic drugs, countervailing buyer power, competitive tender process for supply, and other competitive constraints in the relevant markets, the acquisition, when carried into effect, will not result in a substantial lessening of competition.

3. Relevant good(s) or service(s) involved

The supply of pharmaceutical products in Singapore.

Decision:
The proposed acquisition, if carried into effect, will not infringe the section 54 prohibition.
Decision Date: 23 March 2009
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