The Federal Trade Commission has requested additional information from Chicago-based Abbott Laboratories regarding its decision to acquire St. Jude Medical in St. Paul, Minn., according to documents filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
If approved, the acquisition would combine two of the leading makers of heart-related devices. The deal will cost Abbott roughly $25 billion.
For Abbott, the acquisition represents a way for the company to enhance its position in the medical devices business and "gain a better negotiating position" with its hospital customers, according to a NASDAQ report.
Both organizations agreed to the partnership in April. They expect the deal to officially close in the fourth quarter.
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