AbbVie says multiple parties vying for assets related to Allergan deal approval

AbbVie Inc said it had notified the U.S. antitrust watchdog of its intention to divest its experimental inflammatory bowel disease therapy, Brazikumab, and its treatment for a type of pancreatic disease, Zenpep.

New Delhi: AbbVie Inc said on Friday it was in talks with several parties interested in buying the two assets it intends to divest for the completion of its $63 billion deal to buy drugmaker Allergan Plc.

The company said it had notified the U.S. antitrust watchdog of its intention to divest its experimental inflammatory bowel disease therapy, Brazikumab, and its treatment for a type of pancreatic disease, Zenpep.

Read Also: Allergan shareholders okay USD 63 billion AbbVie acquisition

The deal, which combines two of the world's biggest pharmaceutical companies, had attracted U.S. Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) scrutiny following a request by a dozen advocacy groups and unions seeking to block the purchase.

The agency asked the companies for additional information in September that AbbVie said was not unexpected and that the companies were working through the FTC's requests.

Read Also: Investigate, block AbbVie, Allergan USD 63 billion merger: Consumer Groups to Trade Commission