The UK’s competition regulatory body announced on Friday that it has provisionally approved UnitedHealth Group’s $1.58 billion acquisition of healthcare technology firm EMIS.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) indicated that it currently sees no competition issues in the deal involving specialized healthcare technology and software companies. These companies provide services to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
Last year in June, Optum UK, a part of U.S.-based UnitedHealth, proposed the acquisition of EMIS with the aim of enhancing service provision to the NHS.
Following its initial merger inquiry in January, the CMA escalated the investigation in March after rejecting UnitedHealth’s proposed solution of divesting certain businesses.
Both companies stated in a joint statement that the CMA will now engage in a public consultation about its provisional findings, with a final decision expected by October 5th.
