CCI gives green signal to Sanofi-Apollo deal

As per the agreement, both companies will also have an option to increase its shareholding in ASCL to 26%

The Competition Commission has cleared pharmaceutical firm Sanofi-Synthelabo's proposed stake buy in an arm of Apollo group, saying the deal does not raise any concerns related to unfair business practices.

Under the proposed deal, Sanofi-Synthelabo would acquire 20% stake and exercise certain rights in relation to management of Apollo Sugar Clinics Ltd (ASCL) -- a subsidiary of Apollo Health and Lifestyle.

Post-deal, ASCL, which provides diagnosis and treatment to diabetic patients, would be jointly controlled by Sanofi-Synthelabo and Apollo Health and Lifestyle.

As per the agreement, Sanofi-Synthelabo would also have an option to increase its shareholding in ASCL to 26% which can be exercised during a certain period of time.

Further, Apollo group would transfer their operational clinics to ASCL, under the proposed deal.

In an order released today, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said that "the proposed combination is not likely to have an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India".

The fair trade watchdog observed that Sanofi-Synthelabo and ASCL operate at different levels of the supply chain in the healthcare industry in the country and "there is no horizontal overlap between the business of Sanofi and ASCL".

"The sugar centres are already presently functioning within the different enterprises of Apollo group and will continue to do so after the proposed combination," CCI said.

"The proposed combination, would not, therefore, result in the removal of any competitor from the market," it added.

CCI also noted that "the vertical relationship between Sanofi and ASCL is complementary and will enable them to harness their respective expertise to provide out-patient health care services for diabetes".

It also observed that the market related to the services of diabetes care in the country had numerous players.

The agreements had been entered on June 25, this year, follwoing which Sanofi-Synthelabo had filed a notice with CCI seeking its approval on the deal.