CSL Of Australia Raises Equity Funds Ahead of U.S. Merger Approval

Executive Summary

Australia's CSL drug maker has gone ahead with assertive equity-raising efforts even though the U.S. Federal Trade Commission could still block its planned $3.5 billion acquisition of Talecris Biotherapeutics. In less than a week after the deal was announced, CSL raised $1.53 billion to buy the firm from its owners, Cerberus Partners and Ampersand Ventures. Some analysts believe the FTC will order some divestments of human plasma products before approving the merger. One problem could be Talecris's Gamunex, with has a 24 percent market share, the same as CSL and its own products, amounting to a combined 48 percent compared with Baxter International's market-leading 35 percent. (Click here for more