Boehringer Ingelheim cleared to acquire Merial from Sanofi

Media Release

Issued 13 September 2016
Release No. 30

Commission clears Boehringer Ingelheim to acquire Merial from Sanofi

The Commerce Commission has given clearance to Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH to acquire 100% of the shares and assets in Merial, the animal health business of Sanofi S.A.

Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi are global manufacturers of pharmaceutical and vitamin products for animals. In New Zealand, the product range of each of the parties includes animal antibiotics, anaesthetics, anti-inflammatories and mineral supplements.

Chairman Dr Mark Berry said the Commission is satisfied that the acquisition will not have, or would not be likely to have, the effect of substantially lessening competition in a market in New Zealand.

“In respect of antibiotics and anaesthetics, we found that the parties’ products are not close competitors. For the anti-inflammatories and mineral supplements that the merged entity would produce, it would face competition from a number of other well established suppliers,” Dr Berry said.

A public version of the written reasons for the decision will be available shortly on the Commission’sClearances Register.

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