Latest CRTea podcast now available: Navigating competition law and FDI regulation in the pharmaceuticals sector - 2025 Outlook

The latest episode in our CRTea podcast series is now available, focussing on navigating competition law and FDI regulation in the pharmaceutical sector. You can listen on iTunes, Spotify or SoundCloud, on any device.

Competition law enforcement in this sector is a top priority for regulators around the world, as they seek to use antitrust and merger control rules to balance innovation, affordability, and accessibility of medicines for the public. In addition, foreign direct investment (FDI) regulation has become an increasingly important consideration in recent years for cross-border pharma M&A, with many regimes imposing mandatory notification obligations in this sector. Pharmaceutical companies – and investors in this sector – must therefore be particularly alert to competition law and FDI risks and take pro-active steps to minimise them.

Looking ahead in 2025, Veronica Roberts (UK Head of Competition, Regulation and Trade), Peter Rowland (Of Counsel) and Ruth Allen (Knowledge Lawyer) share their insights into key risks to be aware of and offer practical tips on pro-active steps that companies can take to address them.

Topics discussed include:

• the types of anti-competitive agreements that are likely to be in the regulatory spotlight
• significant developments in respect of abuse of dominance
• the growing risk of competition damages actions
• the approach of the UK and EU regulators to so-called "killer acquisitions"
• the sensitivities around foreign investment in the pharmaceutical sector.

 For those who prefer a written format, we have also produced an accompanying guide. 

 If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in this podcast, including tailored compliance training, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

 All other episodes in this series are available on the CRTea podcast homepage.