The FTC’s Battle: Alleged Monopoly in the Making
The FTC sued to block the deal in March, later joined by Illinois and Minnesota, home states of the merging companies. Regulators argued that the merger would give GTCR near-total control of a market already dominated by two players, undermining innovation and raising costs for medical device manufacturers.
The FTC also dismissed GTCR’s divestiture plan as a “smokescreen”, claiming it was designed to give the illusion of competition while effectively maintaining market dominance.
But Judge Cummings saw it differently. During a two-week evidentiary hearing this summer, an expert witness described Integer as an “exceptionally well-qualified divestiture buyer.” The judge agreed, noting that Integer already applies coatings to roughly $2 million worth of medical devices each year and appears determined to reenter the market.
“Whether it will succeed or not remains to be seen,” Judge Cummings said. “But I am persuaded that Integer will vigorously attempt to compete in this space.”
