Markets Wired

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings’ (LabCorp) proposed acquisition of rival firm Orchid Cellmark Inc. (Orchid) would have illegally reduced competition in the U.S. market for paternity testing services provided to government agencies. The final order settling the FTC’s charges requires LabCorp to sell the portion of Orchid’s U.S. paternity testing business that is focused on sales to government agencies to another testing company, DNA Diagnostics Center.

The Commission vote approving the final order was 4-0. (FTC File No. 111-0155, Docket No. C-4341; the staff contact is Michael Barnett, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2362; see press release dated December 8, 2011.)

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust@ftc.gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 601 New Jersey Ave., Room 7117, Washington, DC 20580. To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

(FYI 5.5.2012.wpd)