FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
May 30, 2003
Commission File Number 001-14978
SMITH & NEPHEW plc
(Registrant's name)
15 Adam Street
London, England WC2N 6LA
(Address of registrant's principal executive offices)
[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.]
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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[Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1).]
Yes No X
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[Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7).]
Yes No X
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[Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained
in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2 (b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.]
Yes No X
----- -----
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2 (b) : 82- n/a.
Total Pages: 3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Smith & Nephew plc
(Registrant)
Date: May 30, 2003 By: /s/ Paul Chambers
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Paul Chambers
Company Secretary
2
28 May 2003
SMITH & NEPHEW OBTAINS EUROPEAN REGULATORY CLEARANCE
FOR CENTERPULSE COMBINATION
Smith & Nephew announces that it has received regulatory clearance for its
combination with Centerpulse AG from the European Commission.
Accordingly, all competition and antitrust related conditions to Smith &
Nephew's combination with Centerpulse have now been satisfied. The wait period
under anti-trust legislation in the United States expired earlier this month.
Smith & Nephew reiterates that Zimmer's intention to make a formal offer for
Centerpulse is subject to a number of conditions, as well as further due
diligence, following which Zimmer has reserved the right to reduce its offer
price.
Enquiries:
Smith & Nephew plc Tel: +44 (0)20 7401 7646
Angie Craig
Corporate Affairs Director
Financial Dynamics Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113
David Yates
United States of America
The offer for Centerpulse shares is being made in the United States only
through a prospectus/offer to exchange, which is part of a registration
statement filed with the SEC by Smith & Nephew Group. Centerpulse shareholders
who are US persons or are located in the United States are urged to read the
registration statement, including the prospectus/offer to exchange included
therein, and the other documents filed, or to be filed, with the SEC by Smith
& Nephew Group or Centerpulse relating to the Centerpulse offer, because they
contain important information about the Centerpulse offer. You may obtain a
free copy of these documents from the SEC's Web site at www.sec.gov. You may
also obtain this information from Morrow & Co., Inc., the U.S. information
agent for the Centerpulse offer, at (800) 607-0088, or by e-mail at
centerpulse.info@morrowco.com.