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Laurie-Anne Grelier

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Laurie-Anne Grelier Laurie-Anne Grelier assists global companies, especially Asian multinationals, with navigating complex areas of European competition law, including antitrust and cartel investigations, the clearance of mergers, the structuring of distribution, collaborative and other commercial arrangements, and issues related to abuse of dominant position. Ms. Grelier also assists these companies in litigation before the European Courts, as well as with state aid and trade matters.

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The times when private antitrust damages claims were not a serious risk in the European Union are gone.  The European Commission and national competition authorities are actively promoting follow-on damages claims by private plaintiffs, and national health authorities are themselves bringing huge claims for damages arising from anticompetitive practices.

The following are examples of recent claims:

  • Servier.  In parallel with the EU Commission’s investigation into Servier’s reverse payment patent settlements concerning perindopril, a number of UK health authorities have filed damage claims seeking more than ₤230 million in damages from Servier.
  • Reckitt Benckiser. In connection with the OFT’s 2010 decision imposing a ₤10.2 million fine on Reckitt Benckiser for practices related to Gaviscon Original Liquid, the UK health authorities and a generic competitor have brought follow-on damage claims seeking approximately £89 million from Reckitt Benckiser.
    Continue Reading Private Antitrust Damages Claims in the Pharmaceuticals Sector: Gaining Momentum