Gregory Pelecanos, Senior Partner discussed the topic “Merger Control in the Pharma Sector” at the 5th International Conference on Competition Law and Policy. Gregory reviewed issues concerning market definition and discussed whether theories of harm adequately take into account the innovative nature of the pharma sector.
Market definition and protection of innovation overlap since pipeline R&D must be examined to assess potential impact on the market even in the traditional sense of whether the concentration will lead to price increases. Further Gregory discussed whether Innovation Competition, i.e. the impact of a concentration on innovation in general, including among the companies involved and on the innovation policies of third parties, is a proper objective of competition law and whether competition authorities indeed do look at the concentration’s general impact on innovation. Further Gregory discussed in brief whether competition authorities should examine more intensely the various IPRs held by the parties to a concentration.
Gregory’s PPP presentation can be viewed here.
The conference video / Gregory’s discussion can be viewed here:
The conference was organized by Nomiki Bibliothiki, under the auspices of Hellenic Competition Commission and the institutional support of Hellenic Federation of Enterprises.
