EU antitrust regulators halt Illumina, Grail probe again, await data
04/02/2022 15:45
BRUSSELS, Feb 4 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators have
temporarily paused their investigation into U.S. life sciences
company Illumina ILMN.O bid for $8 billion cash-and-stock
takeover of Grail GRAL.O while waiting for the companies to
provide details.
This is the second time that the European Commission has
halted its scrutiny. The previous deadline for its decision was
March 25, set after Illumina provided remedies in a bid to
address its concerns about the deal.
Announced in September 2020, the deal would give Illumina
access to Grail's flagship Galleri blood test used to diagnose
cancers at early stages when the disease is easier to treat.
The EU competition enforcer stopped the clock on the deal on
Thursday, according to a filing on its website.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee, Editing by Louise Heavens)
((foo.yunchee@thomsonreuters.com; +32 2 287 6844; Reuters
Messaging: foo.yunchee.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))