FTC Clears Amgen's $27.8B Acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reached a deal with Amgen, allowing the drug giant's $27.8 billion acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics to proceed. The FTC had previously filed a lawsuit to block the deal, citing concerns about competition in the pharmaceutical industry. However, the agency temporarily suspended the suit to consider a settlement. Amgen's purchase of Horizon is aimed at gaining access to rare disease assets, including the thyroid eye disease therapy Tepezza. The FTC argued that the acquisition would strengthen Horizon's monopoly positions and enable Amgen to pressure insurers and benefit managers through cross-market bundling.