# C_2005090EN.01000801.xml

| 14.4.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 90/8 |
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14.4.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 90/8

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.3751 — Novartis/Hexal)

(2005/C 90/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 4 April 2005, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Novartis AG (‘Novartis’, Switzerland) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Hexal AG (‘Hexal’, Germany) by way of purchase of shares. |
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1.

On 4 April 2005, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Novartis AG (‘Novartis’, Switzerland) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Hexal AG (‘Hexal’, Germany) by way of purchase of shares.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | for Novartis: production and distribution of medical products, including prescription drugs, OTC drugs and animal health products; |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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for Novartis: production and distribution of medical products, including prescription drugs, OTC drugs and animal health products;

| — | for Hexal: development, production and marketing of generic medications and innovative pharmaceutical preparations. |
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for Hexal: development, production and marketing of generic medications and innovative pharmaceutical preparations.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.3751 — Novartis/Hexal, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition, |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Brussels |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.3751 — Novartis/Hexal, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition,

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Brussels

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

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