AstraZeneca's planned takeover of Alexion clears last regulatory review, deal to close next week

The final regulatory hurdle for AstraZeneca’s mega-merger with Alexion Pharmaceuticals has been cleared, paving the way for the deal to close as soon as next week.

Britain’s financial watchdog, The UK Competition & Markets Authority, has rubber stamped AstraZeneca’s $39 billion takeover of the Boston-based rare disease biotech, the companies announced Wednesday morning. As a result, the transaction is expected to close on July 21, with Alexion shares $ALXN being converted to AstraZeneca stock $AZN and removed from Nasdaq the next day.