RKAGY Rhoen Klinikum AG (PK)

Rhoen-Klinikum shareholder B. Braun is seeking a raise its stake in the private clinic operator (RHK.XE) to 25% from 5%, the German cartel office said Tuesday.

B. Braun told the regulator it wants to secure a sustainable minority stake. With 25% of the shares, the medical technology company would have a blocking minority in Rhoen-Klinikum AG (RHK.XE).

Healthcare company Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA (FRE.XE) was forced to abandon an attempt to take over Rhoen-Klinikum last year after the privately held hospital group Asklepios snapped up shares in Rhoen--effectively stifling the deal.

Besides approval from antitrust regulators, Rhoen's bylaws require that major decisions have support from at least 90% of shareholders. An attempt to scrap the rule has under attack from one or more shareholders.

Write to Markus Klausen at markus.klausen@dowjones.com

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