CMA clears AstraZeneca's $39bn Alexion acquisition

AstraZeneca said on Wednesday that its proposed $39bn acquisition of US drug developer Alexion is expected to close on 21 July, after receiving clearance from the UK Competition and Markets Authority.

The London-listed pharmaceuticals group first announced in December 2020 that it had agreed to buy Alexion.

Executive director and chief financial officer Marc Dunoyer said: "We look forward to the imminent closing of the transaction so that we may pursue our shared ambition to bring more innovative medicines to patients worldwide and begin AstraZeneca's next chapter of growth."

AstraZeneca said the deal will enhance its scientific presence in immunology by adding Alexion's "innovative complement-technology platforms and robust pipeline".