The Chinese MOFCOM conditionally clears a merger in the vascular closure devices market (Abbott Laboratories / St Jude Medical)

On 30 December 2016, Abbott Laboratories’s acquisition of St Jude Medical was conditionally approved by the MOFCOM. On 4 July 2016, Abbott Laboratories submitted its notification to the MOFCOM, which was accepted as complete on 6 September 2016. The authority’s review entered phase 2 on 6 October 2016. Competition assessment The MOFCOM determined that the proposed acquisition would eliminate or restrict competition in the relevant