Wire · operational-macro
Below The Threshold, Not Above The Law: FTC Cracks Down On HSR Avoidance
◆ Sectors
◆ Geography
◆ Source
◆ Verified
Fusion42 · 24 July 2026 · Fusion42 review
The FTC secured a record $12 million penalty against Edwards Lifesciences and Genesis MedTech for structuring a medical device acquisition to avoid Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger reporting requirements. This signals aggressive enforcement against deal structuring designed to stay below HSR thresholds, particularly in concentrated sectors like medical devices.
This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Digital Health, and 2 sources have reported it between 23 Jul 2026 and 24 Jul 2026.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
If you're structuring a deal in medical devices, healthcare, or tech that stays just under the HSR threshold, the FTC now has a $12 million precedent to chase you with - and they're proving they'll reverse the deal itself, not just fine the delay. Reframe your acquisition as a single transaction, or assume you'll fight in court.
◆ Coverage
2 sources · first reported 23 Jul 2026 · latest 24 Jul 2026
◆ Related on Wire
◆ Topics