We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
Accept
  • SKIP TO CONTENT
  • SKIP NAVIGATION
  • Drug & Device Products
    • FDAnews Books Library
    • Events
    • Form 483s Database
    • Publications
    • Webinar Training Pass
    • eCFR and Guidances
    • Books
  • Clinical Products
  • Advertising
  • White Papers
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • COVID-19
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Home » FTC: Akorn Must Unload Generic Rifampin to Acquire VersaPharm

FTC: Akorn Must Unload Generic Rifampin to Acquire VersaPharm

August 8, 2014

Generics manufacturer Akorn must sell its rights to a pending ANDA for the tuberculosis drug rifampin before it can complete its $324 million acquisition of VersaPharm, the Federal Trade Commission said.

The divesture is necessary to prevent anticompetitive effects from the merger, the FTC said in response to Akorn’s proposed consent agreement. Rights to the rifampin ANDA will go to Actavis subsidiary Watson Laboratories, with the sale taking place within 10 days of completing the acquisition, the agency added.

In its complaint, the FTC noted that VersaPharm is one of only three firms marketing generic rifampin, and that few other drugmakers have rifampin ANDAs pending before the FDA. A merger between Akorn and VersaPharm, while Akorn is still pursuing the drug, would diminish competition and keep prices higher than they otherwise would be with a fourth, independent generic on the market, the FTC said.

Rifampin is a generic version of Sanofi’s Rifadin, a first-line injectable prescribed to kill or prevent the growth of tuberculosis.

The product is not the first one Akorn has faced divestiture over in recent months due to mergers and acquisitions. In June, the FTC finalized anticompetitive charges against Akorn that required the company to sell its rights to five generic drugs to Watson to prevent anticompetitive effects from a $640 million purchase of Hi-Tech Pharmacal.

The FTC is accepting comments on the proposed consent agreement through Sept. 3. — Bryan Koenig

Originally appeared in Drug Industry Daily, the pharmaceutical industry’s number one source for regulatory news and information. Click here for more information.

Pharmaceuticals Commercial Operations

Upcoming Events

  • 13Jul

    FDA Ad and Promo Enforcement Trends: Past, Present and Future

  • 28Jul

    EU-MDR’s Growing Pains: Are You Current with the Latest Developments?

  • 28Jul

    Is Your Product a Drug or Device — and Does It Matter?: A Recent Appeals Court Decision Says It Does

  • 02Aug

    Medical Device Cybersecurity: Understand the Latest Developments

  • 03Aug

    Pharmaceutical Process Validation: Best Practices for Success

  • 10Aug

    Gene & Cell Therapy Regulation: Comparability and Other New Developments

Featured Products

  • FDA’s New Quality System Regulation: Transitioning from QSR to ISO 13485

    FDA’s New Quality System Regulation: Transitioning from QSR to ISO 13485

  • Selecting and Implementing Electronic Document Management Systems in the EU

    Selecting and Implementing Electronic Document Management Systems in the EU

Featured Stories

  • FDA Provides Update on GE Healthcare’s Recall of Its Carescape R860 Ventilators

  • Gilead Resubmits NDA for Lenacapavir Following Complete Response Letter

  • FDA Warns Baby Neck Floats Used in Water Therapy Can Cause Death or Injury

  • U.S. Government Inks $3.2 Billion Contract With Pfizer-BioNTech for Vaccine Booster Campaign

The Revised ICH E8: A Guide to New Clinical Trial Requirements

Learn More
  • Drug Products
    • Quality
    • Regulatory Affairs
    • GMPs
    • Inspections and Audits
    • Postmarket Safety
    • Submissions and Approvals
    • Research and Development
    • Commercial Operations
  • Device Products
    • Quality
    • Regulatory Affairs
    • QSR
    • Inspections and Audits
    • Postmarket Safety
    • Submissions and Approvals
    • Research and Development
    • Commercial Operations
  • Clinical Products
    • Trial Design
    • Data Integrity
    • GCP
    • Inspections and Audits
    • Transparency
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Footer Logo

300 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Falls Church, VA 22046, USA

Phone 703.538.7600 – Toll free 888.838.5578

Copyright © 2022. All Rights Reserved. Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing