Edwards deal highlights EU concerns over smaller pharma mergers, official says
By Anna Ferrari ( May 19, 2026, 14:35 GMT | Insight) -- Edwards’ attempted takeover of JenaValve highlights the EU watchdog’s concerns over below-threshold pharmaceutical mergers involving innovative smaller companies, senior EU competition official Inge Bernaerts said. She warned such deals may evade scrutiny because targets generate little European turnover despite important pipeline assets, and reaffirmed that anticompetitive disparagement remains a major enforcement priority.Edwards Lifesciences’ attempted $945 million acquisition of JenaValve Technology is an example of why the European Commission is concerned with “below-threshold” transactions involving innovative smaller players, a senior EU competition regulator said....
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