Wrinkles

... A:link { TEXT-DECORATION: none } A:visited { TEXT-DECORATION: none } A:hover { TEXT-DECORATION: underline } Allergan Cleared to Acquire Rival | INS News Allergan Cleared to Acquire Rival Mar 09, 09:06 PM By Blythe Bernhard, The Orange County Register, Calif.

Mar.

9-Botox manufacturer Allergan can complete its acquisition of Inamed Corp., but it won't be allowed to control the market for anti-wrinkle products, the Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday.

In giving tentative approval to Allergan's $3.2 billion buyout of Santa Barbara-based Inamed, the FTC said Allergan will have to relinquish control of Reloxin, an anti-wrinkle treatment that has been part of Inamed's product line and soon could be a competitor with Botox.

Approval of the deal had been expected, and the FTC's directive to give up Reloxin didn't hurt Allergan's stock, which closed Wednesday at $114.63, up nearly 4 percent.

The acquisition of Inamed is expected to make Allergan a key supplier of products used in elective surgical procedures.

Inamed makes facial fillers, breast implants and weight-loss stomach bands.

"We're very pleased with the U.S.

antitrust approval," said Allergan spokeswoman Caroline Van Hove.

"It was the only remaining approval needed for us to close the acquisition." The deal will likely receive final approval in 30 days, FTC officials said.

Allergan agreed to release marketing control of Reloxin to Ipsen Ltd.

of Britain.

Reloxin is now sold in Europe and is nearing ...

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