Furthermore, the agency raised eyebrows at Amgen’s potential “cross-market bundles” rebate schemes, suggesting they might tilt the scales against smaller pharmaceutical rivals.
Amgen $28B Horizon Deal: The Strings Attached
As the old adage goes, there’s no free lunch. Amgen’s acquisition comes with its set of caveats. Central to these is an explicit prohibition: Amgen cannot dip its toes into any acquisition related to TED or CRG treatments without prior consent from the FTC.
A New Dawn for Both Companies
In a joint proclamation, Amgen and Horizon expressed relief and optimism. The two giants stated that this agreement paves the way for the deal’s ultimate culmination, targeting a close in the year’s final quarter. Despite the storm of contention, Amgen was forthright in its intentions. The company emphasized its lack of intent to bundle Tepezza and Krystexxa, while eyeing the broader horizon of serving global patients afflicted with rare diseases.
Political Undertones and Broader Implications
The FTC’s resistance to this merger was not born in a vacuum. It traces back to a clarion call by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who implored the FTC to rigorously evaluate such mammoth deals for their potential ripple effects on competition, innovation, and consumer expenses.
