Merger Update: Portman/Dentex

CMA invites comments on undertakings offered in relation to the anticipated acquisition by Portman Healthcare (Group) Limited of Dentex Healthcare Group Limited

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened a consultation on undertakings proposed by Portman Healthcare (Group) Limited (Portman) and Dentex Healthcare Group Limited (Dentex) to address competition concerns over the anticipated acquisition of Portman by Dentex.

On 3 February 2023, the CMA announced that it would refer the acquisition for an in-depth investigation unless Portman and Dentex offered acceptable undertakings to address the CMA's concerns.

To address the CMA's concerns, Portman and Dentex have offered to divest certain dental practices in the South West and North East of England.

On 17 February 2023, the CMA announced that it considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings offered, or a modified version of them, might be accepted by the CMA to remedy the substantial lessening of competition identified by the CMA. The CMA has until 18 April 2023 to consider whether to accept the undertakings, or a modified version of them. As part of this process, the CMA is now consulting publicly on whether the proposals are sufficient to address the CMA's competition concerns.

Before reaching a final decision, the CMA is therefore inviting interested parties to make their views known. The deadline for responses is 16 March 2023.

The consultation on the undertakings and all other information relating to this merger investigation can be found on the case page at https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases.

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