Wrinkles

... Bismarck Tribune Online - World and National News /* */ .headerx { border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #CCCCCC; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12px; color:#666666 } Article Search: Web Search: Mar 8, 3:51 PM EST FTC Approves Allergan Takeover of Inamed By ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) - Federal antitrust regulators said Wednesday they approved Botox-maker Allergan Inc.'s $3.2 billion acquisition of Inamed Corp., citing an agreement with the companies to divest Inamed of its right to a potential rival to Botox.

The Federal Trade Commission voted 4-0 to clear the takeover.

A final order by the commission is expected to be issued after a 30-day public comment period.

Irvine-based Allergan said it expects to complete its exchange offer for the outstanding shares of Santa Barbara-based Inamed's common stock on Friday, the expiration date for the offer.

"We are pleased to have received U.S.

antitrust approval from the FTC, and we look forward to rapidly completing the Inamed acquisition so we can initiate our integration plan," David E.I.

Pyott, Allergan's chairman and chief executive, said in a statement.

The two cosmetic treatment product makers agreed to combine in December.

Botox is now the only botulinum toxin approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat facial wrinkles.

The FTC concluded that Allergan's takeover of Inamed would reduce competition in the U.S.

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