COMMUNICATION OF THE ECOWAS REGIONAL COMPETITION AUTHORITY ON THE NOTIFICATION OF THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSETS OF SANDOZ AG BY STRIDES PHARMA INTERNATIONAL AG
Purpose of the notification of the proposed acquisition
The ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) has received a merger notification concerning the proposed acquisition by Strides Pharma International AG (“Strides” or the “Primary Acquiring Firm”) of certain pharmaceutical products of Sandoz AG (“Sandoz”) and exclusive distribution rights for Penicillin V products and Amoxicillin and Amoksiklav (Amoxicillin and Clavulanic Acid) products, collectively referred to as the Target Assets.
Under the proposed transaction, Strides would acquire control over the transferring products and would exclusively distribute the products covered by the distribution rights. The transaction arises from an Asset Purchase Agreement and a Manufacture and Supply Agreement, both dated 17 March 2026.
The transaction has been notified to ERCA for prior authorization under Regulation C/REG.23/12/21 on the rules of procedure for mergers and acquisitions in ECOWAS and the applicable Enabling Rules PC/REX.1/01/24. The merger report identifies sales by both parties in seven ECOWAS Member States: Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo.
Concerned parties
Strides is the acquiring firm. According to the filing documents, the Strides Group develops, manufactures and distributes generic medicines internationally. In ECOWAS, its activities include the promotion, sale and distribution of pharmaceutical products. Its broader portfolio includes branded generics, prescription medicines and over the counter products.
Sandoz is the seller of the Target Assets. The submission of the parties describes Sandoz as a global supplier of affordable medicines headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. In ECOWAS, it operates through distribution partnerships and regional supply arrangements, without a physical presence or controlled entities in the region. The proposed acquisition concerns the specified assets and distribution rights rather than Sandoz as a whole.
Expected results of the acquisition
According to the parties, the proposed transaction would expand Strides’s product portfolio and strengthen its pharmaceutical business in Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting its strategy to improve access to affordable, high-quality medicines. Sandoz states that the disposal follows a strategic assessment of its regional operating model and is intended to place the Target Assets with a purchaser better positioned to manage and grow the business.
Rights of third parties
Pursuant to Article 44 (2) (a) (iv) of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority’s Manual of Investigation and Notification Procedures, third parties are invited to submit their comments to ERCA within thirty (30) days of the publication of this communication.
Such comments shall be accompanied by any documentation capable of substantiating the facts and analyses and sent confidentially to the following address:
ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority
Bertil Harding, Bijilo, The Gambia
P.O Box 4470
Or electronically at the following email address: registry@erca-arcc.org.
