By Adria Calatayud

The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority said Wednesday that it won't refer AstraZeneca PLC's anticipated acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. for further review.

The antitrust watchdog said it has decided not to refer the deal for an in-depth review based on the information currently available to it.

Earlier this month, the Cambridge-U.K.-based pharmaceutical company said it had received clearance from the European Union for its purchase of Alexion. AstraZeneca previously said it expected to close the deal in the third quarter.

AstraZeneca in December agreed to acquire Boston-based Alexion for $39 billion in cash and stock to expand its offering of treatments for rare diseases.

Write to Adria Calatayud at adria.calatayud@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 14, 2021 02:24 ET (06:24 GMT)

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