EC’s Investigation into Illumina/Grail Merger Isn’t Stopping Anytime Soon

The European Commission will continue its investigation into Illumina’s $8 billion acquisition of Grail, the European Union General court recently ruled.

The San Diego, CA-based company said it would appeal the EU General Court ruling and noted it wanted to continue its efforts to bring Grail’s early cancer detection tests to Europe, according to a report from pharmaphorum.

Illumina completed its acquisition of Grail in August of 2021.  The move was controversial because the European Commission had not yet concluded its investigation of the acquisition. Illumina argued that the Commission didn’t have jurisdiction over the deal because Grail doesn’t conduct business in Europe.  

This isn’t the first time Illumina came under fire from anti-trust concerns.

Anti-trust concerns shattered Illumina’s proposed acquisition of Pacific Biosciences in 2018. The deal was named by MD+DI as one of Six Acquisitions in Medtech that Went Horribly Wrong.

Illumina and Grail have a rich history. The company spun-out Grail in 2016 and from there the early cancer detection company took off. Grail became known for its exorbitant financing raises.

Prior to Illumina announcing it would acquire Grail, the company was in the process of going public.