Regulators halt Synthes-Stratec buy in Germany.

Byline: Andrew Bulkeley in Berlin

Swiss orthopedic group Synthes-Stratec Inc. said Wednesday, Feb. 11, German competition authorities had preliminarily rejected its Sfr1.5 billion ($1.2 billion) purchase of domestic rival Mathys Medizinaltechnik AG but that the resistance won't quash the merger in other parts of the world.

"We are prepared to appeal a prohibition decision if the German authorities cannot be convinced of our position and no suitable alternative measure can be negotiated," Synthes CEO Hansjorg Wyss said in a statement.

Last year, Oberdorf, Switzerland-based Synthes drove part of the industry's rapid consolidation by agreeing to scoop …