CompComm approves Ascendis acquisition

The Competition Commission has approved JSE-listed health and care brands group Ascendis Health’s application to acquire 100% of pharmaceutical business Akacia Healthcare for R345-million. The transaction, which included Akacia’s 23 000m² manufacturing facility in Isando, Johannesburg, valued at R100-million, would give Ascendis an additional local pharmaceutical manufacturing capability, while increasing the group’s competitive participation for State tenders, which favoured local manufacture.