Roche, Novartis Eye-Drug Collusion Allegations Studied by EU

The European Union’s antitrust chief said regulators are “gathering information” on whether Roche Holding AG and Novartis AG colluded to prevent the use of Roche’s cancer drug Avastin to treat an eye disease.

The European Commission “will assess whether further action is needed in this area,” said Joaquin Almunia, the EU’s antitrust chief, in response to a question from an EU lawmaker dated yesterday. He declined to comment further on the “precise content of its current investigative activities.” The EU hasn’t opened a formal probe of the companies.