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Google fails to resolve EU antitrust dispute over search result bias

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Google said it has been unable to resolve disagreements with major travel and search service providers — including Skyscanner and Booking.com — over how it presents search results, leaving the company exposed to a potential European Union antitrust fine. The disclosure follows a two-day workshop (July 7–8) hosted by the European Commission, where Google presented its latest proposals to address long-standing allegations that it favors its own services like Google Flights, Hotels, and Shopping over rivals.

Under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to curb the dominance of “gatekeeper” platforms, violations can trigger fines of up to 10% of global annual revenue — a serious threat for Alphabet, Google’s parent company.

At the workshop, Google offered two new options: Both would give vertical search competitors (like Skyscanner, Kelkoo, and Booking.com) a box at the top of the results page, while listings for individual providers such as airlines, hotels, and restaurants would appear underneath. However, critics argue the proposals still tilt in Google’s favor.

Skyscanner CEO Bryan Batista said the latest suggestions risk “misleading consumers and cementing Google’s position” in organic search. Meanwhile, lawyer Thomas Hoppner — who represents complainants against Google — criticized the company for deflecting blame onto tensions between intermediaries and direct service providers instead of addressing its own alleged self-preferencing behavior.

Google’s Director of Competition, Oliver Bethell, acknowledged the conflict in a LinkedIn blog post, saying: “Competing interests continue to pull us in different directions.” He added that while feedback was welcomed, it’s time to conclude the debate, emphasizing that Google must act in the interest of broader users, not just a few commercial parties.

The European Commission is expected to make a final judgment on Google’s compliance in the coming months. Should regulators find the company in breach, it could trigger one of the most significant enforcement actions yet under the DMA.

Regulatory Conditions Cleared for Novo Holdings’ $16.5 Billion Catalent Acquisition

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Novo Holdings announced on Saturday that all regulatory conditions for its $16.5 billion acquisition of U.S. contract drug manufacturer Catalent have been fulfilled. The companies anticipate completing the transaction in the coming days.

The acquisition, initially agreed upon in February, is part of Novo Holdings’ strategy to increase production of the blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy, developed by its affiliate Novo Nordisk. As part of the agreement, Novo Holdings will sell three of Catalent’s factories located in Italy, Belgium, and the United States to Novo Nordisk for $11 billion. These facilities specialize in filling injection pens under sterile conditions.

Novo Holdings is the controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical giant behind the popular GLP-1 injectable drug Wegovy. Novo Nordisk stated that while the acquisition aligns with its strategic goals, it is expected to have a mid single-digit negative impact on operating profit growth in 2025. Consequently, the company does not plan to initiate a share buyback program for the year.

Regulatory and Antitrust Scrutiny

The deal has faced close regulatory scrutiny. Earlier in December, the European Commission granted EU antitrust approval, stating that the merger posed no competition concerns within the European Economic Area (EEA).

In the United States, the acquisition drew criticism from consumer groups, labor unions, and policymakers. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to scrutinize the deal, citing potential concerns. The FTC had requested additional information on the acquisition in May, but no further updates have been issued.

Strategic Implications

The transaction underscores Novo Holdings’ commitment to expanding its role in the manufacturing and distribution of high-demand pharmaceuticals. By integrating Catalent’s production capabilities, Novo Holdings aims to meet the growing demand for weight-loss treatments while maintaining compliance with global competition regulations.