Competition Authority of the French Republic

07/29/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/29/2021 04:11

The Autorité de la concurrence clears the acquisition of Oriade-Noviale by Biogroup, subject to the divestiture of eight medical analysis sites (Isère, Rhône and Haute-Savoie)

Parties to the transaction

Biogroup is active in the chemical pathology sector, with laboratories spread over more than 700 sites throughout France.

Oriade-Noviale is also active in the chemical pathology sector. It operates laboratories on 55 sites located in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, and Bourgogne Franche-Comté.

The markets examined

The parties are competitors in the chemical pathology markets. Biogroup and Oriade-Noviale own medical analysis laboratories whose activity consists of providing'routine' chemical pathology examinations (which are examinations commonly prescribed and performed by all laboratories, such as biochemistry or haematology examinations) and specialised examinations requiring specific medical or scientific skills and specific approvals (such as genetic examinations).

They are also competitors, as purchasers, in the market for the supply of biological equipment, reagents and consumables.

Biogroup is to divest eight medical analysis sites in response to competition problems identified in the départementsof Isère, Rhône and Haute-Savoie

While the transaction does not raise competition concerns on the upstream markets for supplies from suppliers and for specialised chemical pathology tests, the Autoritéconsidered that there was a serious risk of harming competition on the market for 'routine' chemical pathology tests in the départementsof Isère, Rhône and Haute-Savoie.

In these départements, the strengthening of the new entity's position on the market in question is not offset by a credible and sufficient alternative offer from competing operators.

To maintain competitive intensity in these départements, the new entity has committed to divest the following eight medical analysis sites: