ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved Hoechst Pakistan Limited’s acquisition of the trademarks for the pharmaceutical product Claforan from Sanofi Aventis Deutschland GMBH through a Trademark Assignment Agreement.
Hoechst Pakistan Limited, a publicly listed company, specializes in the manufacture, sale, and trading of pharmaceutical products. Sanofi Aventis Deutschland GMBH, based in Germany, is a prominent pharmaceutical manufacturer and distributor across Europe. This transaction will see Sanofi transferring Claforan’s trademarks to Hoechst, strengthening Hoechst’s position in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry.
The CCP’s assessment identified the relevant market as “Systemic Antibiotics” and classified the transaction as a horizontal merger. Hoechst Pakistan’s market share will remain stable, as it has been producing Claforan under license from Sanofi Aventis. Thus, this acquisition will not disrupt the market balance but will strategically enhance Hoechst’s standing.
The CCP concluded that the acquisition would not result in market dominance and authorized the transaction under Section 31(1)(d)(i) of the Competition Act, ensuring competitive stability within Pakistan’s systemic antibiotics market.