J&J’s $21.3B acquisition of Synthes to go through EU antitrust review by March 2012

   
 
 
EU opens probe into Johnson & Johnson's Synthes buy (press release)
-- EU launches investigation due to antitrust concerns
-- To make a final decision on acquisition in March
BRUSSELS -(MarketWatch)- U.S. pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson's JNJ -0.34% $21.3 billion bid for Synthes Inc. has been referred to a second-phase in-depth probe by the European Union's antitrust unit, giving Brussels authorities until March to decide on the case.
In a statement issued early Friday, the European Commission said it has concerns that the proposed deal would limit competitio...