CCP approves Hoechst Pakistan’s acquisition of Claforan Trademarks

KARACHI: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has granted approval for Hoechst Pakistan Limited to acquire trademarks for the pharmaceutical product Claforan from Sanofi Aventis Deutschland GMBH through a trademark assignment agreement.

In its assessment, the CCP identified the relevant market as ‘systemic antibiotics’ and classified the transaction as a horizontal merger. Notably, Hoechst Pakistan’s market share is expected to remain stable, as the company has been producing Claforan under licence from Sanofi Aventis. Therefore, this acquisition will not disrupt the market balance but will strategically enhance Hoechst’s position.

The CCP concluded that the acquisition would not result in market dominance, authorising the transaction under Section 31(1)(d)(i) of the Competition Act. This approval ensures that competitive stability within Pakistan’s systemic antibiotics market is maintained.

Hoechst Pakistan, a publicly listed company in Pakistan, specializes in the manufacture, sale, and trading of pharmaceutical products. Sanofi Aventis Deutschland GMBH, based in Germany, is a prominent manufacturer and distributor within the European pharmaceutical market. The transfer of Claforan’s trademarks to Hoechst positions the latter as a significant player in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector.