WASHINGTON -- The deadline has passed for any Federal TradeCommission action that would have blocked or delayed sale ofCetus Corp.'s GeneAmp polymerase chain reaction assets to F.Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., the company announced on Monday.

The deadline for the FTC review of the acquisition of Cetus byChiron Corp. is Wednesday, unless the agency requestsadditional information.

The FTC completed its review on Sept. 20 into whether the PCRsale would stifle competition under the Hart-Scott-RodinoAntitrust Improvements Act, Cetus said, without requestingmore information.

Expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period satisfiesone condition of the PCR agreement. Other conditions, includingapproval by Cetus' shareholders, must be met before the $300million sale can be completed. -- Kris Herbst

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