FTC ends review of Amgen's purchase of Micromet

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.

Antitrust regulators have ended a review of Amgen Inc.'s $1.16 billion purchase of cancer therapy developer Micromet Inc., the companies said Wednesday.

The companies said the Federal Trade Commission ended its review three days ahead of schedule. Amgen agreed to buy Rockville, Md.-based Micromet on Jan. 26, and the deal would give Amgen Micromet's experimental antibody-based drug blinatumomab. Amgen's tender offer for Micromet shares is scheduled to expire March 1.

Shares of Amgen rose 18 cents to $68.02 in afternoon trading, and Micromet stock picked up 2 cents to $10.97.