NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – The US Federal Trade Commission has asked Varian and Agilent Technologies for additional information in connection with Agilent's proposed $1.5 billion acquisition of Varian.
Palo Alto, Calif.-based Varian said in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission this week that the FTC asked both firms for more information, but it did not provide further details. The company said that the request "extends the waiting period imposed by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 until 30 days after Agilent and Varian have substantially complied with the second request unless that period is extended voluntarily by the parties or terminated sooner by the FTC."
Agilent and Varian inked the merger agreement in late July. The firms said at the time that they expect to close the deal by the end of 2009.