Merck KGaA Sells Electronic Chemicals Business to BASF for EUR 270 Million     BASF release

Merck EC business, with about 600 employees, will transfer to BASF
Merck to continue Darmstadt EC production for three years

Merck KGaA announced today that it sold its worldwide Electronic Chemicals business to BASF AG of Ludwigshafen for EUR 270 million in order to focus on its innovation-driven businesses of pharmaceuticals and chemicals. The transaction is still subject to approval by antitrust authorities and is expected to close in the second quarter. This move reflects Merck's business strategy of "focused diversification," concentrating on innovation-driven pharmaceutical and chemical businesses with long-term profitability.

The transaction includes Merck Electronic Chemicals management, technology and production facilities in Asia and Europe. Merck KGaA employees in Darmstadt, who already toll manufacture for Merck Electronic Chemicals, will remain with Merck and continue to manufacture for BASF for the next three years. Merck Electronic Chemicals has operated as a legally independent company wholly owned by Merck KGaA since January 1, 2003.

"This transaction will be positive for Merck, its EC employees and also BASF," said Prof. Thomas Schreckenbach, Merck's Executive Board Member responsible for Chemicals. "It will allow Merck to focus its resources on highly innovative chemicals such as liquid crystals, pigments and specialty reagents. Our employees will transfer to another well-respected employer. BASF's experience in electronic chemicals and in the production of large-scale wet chemicals makes it the ideal partner for this business."

The electronic chemicals business sold to BASF had sales of EUR 155 million, a 16 percent increase, during the first nine months of 2004. It supplies the semiconductor industry with a complete range of ultra-pure process chemicals and also offers chip manufacturers a variety of analysis-related services. The electronic chemicals business has approximately 600 employees, who will transfer to BASF.

The divestiture includes Merck's production sites and distribution centers for electronic chemicals in Taiwan; Malaysia; China; France; Singapore, the Netherlands and Germany.

For a given period of time at the latest until the end of 2005 Merck and BASF will jointly manage the business in the key Taiwanese market under leadership of BASF. This is intended as a signal to both customers and employees that both parties are particularly interested in ensuring a smooth transition and development of the business. Following the end of the transition period but by no later than the end of 2005 Merck has the right to transfer its share in the Taiwan operations to BASF.


2005/1/28 BASF

BASF acquires electronic chemicals business of Merck KGaA
http://www.corporate.basf.com/en/presse/mitteilungen/pm.htm?pmid=1698&id=4P0GY6GCvbcp2lkP-05-093

BASF to become a leading supplier in fast growing market
Double-digit growth rates in 2004

BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen, today acquired the global electronic chemicals business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt. The purchase price is Euro 270 million. The transaction is still subject to approval by the regulatory authorities. Closing is expected in the second quarter of 2005.

In the first nine months of 2004, Merck increased global sales at its electronic chemicals business by 16 percent to Euro155 million. The business currently has about 600 employees.

Through the acquisition of these new activities, BASF will become a leading supplier of electronic chemicals for the rapidly growing semiconductor industry and for the production of flat screens, another area that shows high growth rates. The business acquired from Merck will help develop BASF's electronic chemicals business and will significantly strengthen BASF's market position in Europe and Asia. This deal supports BASF's strategic goal of profitable growth and at the same time provides us with a solid foundation for our future in the electronics industry,said Dr. Harald Schwager, head of the Inorganics division.

Our customers will benefit from BASF's expertise in chemistry and production combined with Merck's experience in purification, formulation and analysis,said Dr. Karl-Rudolf Kurtz, head of BASFs Electronic Materials business unit. By combining all our electronic chemicals activities, our business unit provides a platform for our future growth in this innovative and growing industry,he said. Through this acquisition, BASF will become a system supplier for the electronics industry and will be able to supply its customers with tailor-made solutions.

The acquisition includes Merck's production sites and distribution centers for high-purity chemicals in Taiwan, Malaysia, China, Singapore, France, the Netherlands and Germany.

For a given period of time - at the latest until the end of 2005 - Merck and BASF shall jointly manage the business in the key Taiwanese market under leadership by BASF. This is intended as a signal to both customers and employees that both parties are particularly interested in ensuring a smooth transition and developing the business further.

Following the end of the transition period - but by no later than the end of 2005 - BASF has the right to acquire Merck's share in operations in Taiwan.

Electronic chemicals are essential for the production of semiconductor chips and flat screens. Such chemicals are extremely pure and are characterized by above-average growth rates. The global market for electronic chemicals was worth ?3 billion in 2003 and has grown by an average of 10 percent per year in recent years.

About Merck:
Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with sales of EUR 7.2 billion in 2003, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by 28,300 employees in 56 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds a 74 percent interest and free shareholders own the remaining 26 percent. The former U.S. subsidiary, Merck & Co., has been completely independent of the Merck Group since 1917.


2005/03/02 Merck KGaA

独メルク、有機ELの開発・生産事業会社Covion社を5,000万ユーロで取得
有機ELの開発・生産事業及びポリマーエレクトロニクスの研究開発事業を取得

http://release.nikkei.co.jp/detail.cfm?relID=94782&lindID=4

 メルクKGaA (本社ドイツ ダルムシュタット市、CEO ベルンハルド ショイブレ)は英国マンチェスターのAveciaから同社のポリマーエレクトロニクスの研究開発部門、及びAvecia社の子会社で有機ELの研究・開発、生産を行っているCovion Organic Semiconductors GmbH(フランクフルト)を5,000万ユーロで取得することを決定した。今後取得に必要な手続きを進め、2005年の第1四半期には取得を完了する。

 メルクKGaAのCEO ベルンハルド ショイブレ博士は「今後暫くの間、液晶はフラットパネルディスプレイ技術の中心的な役割を担うであろう。昨年メルクは世界の液晶市場で、特に液晶テレビの分野での地位を強化した。メルクの将来の活動分野を更に広げるために今回のAvecia社からの事業取得は大変有益である。」と述べている。

 事業を売却するAvecia社CEOのJeremy Scudamore氏は「メルクは液晶ディスプレイ用有機物質のリーディングサプライヤーであり、Avecia社傘下の2つの事業を引き継ぐ最も理想的な会社である。」と述べている。

 Covion社はAvecia社とAventis Research & Technologyにより1999年に設立され、その後2002年にAvecia社の100%子会社となった。2004年の売上げは約800万ユーロ。

 メルク株式会社はドイツのダルムシュタットに本社を置く、世界的な総合医化学メーカー Merck KGaAの日本法人であり、1968年に設立、液晶や顔料などの化成品や試薬・分析薬、医薬品などを手がけています。また、Merck KGaAは1668年に設立され、現在世界52カ国で事業展開を行っており、グループ従業員総数は28,900人。2004年売上高は約59億ユーロ。


2006/9/21 Merck

Merck KGaA Announces Acquisition of Serono SA

Transaction transforms Merck Ethicals
Merck pays CHF 1,100 per share in cash
Merck holds 64.5% of Serono capital and 75.5% of the voting rights
Public tender offer of CHF 1,100 per share

Merck KGaA announced today that it has entered into an agreement with the Bertarelli Family, which owns the majority stake of Serono SA, to purchase their Serono shares to create a strategically compelling combination with the size to compete in the global pharmaceutical market.

Subject to antitrust review and closing of the purchase, Merck holds 64.5% of the capital of Serono and 75.5% of the voting rights, for which Merck agreed to pay CHF 1,100 per share in cash. Merck will make a public tender offer under Swiss law for the same price of CHF 1,100 per share. The offer price represents a 20% premium to the share price as of September 20, 2006, and a total equity value of CHF 16.6 billion (approximately EUR 10.6 billion) on a fully diluted basis.

This acquisition transforms Mercks Pharmaceuticals business and creates a leading position in the world of biologic medicines, which helps to ensure its future through the 21st century,said Michael Roemer, Chairman of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA. Both companies have a unique opportunity to achieve a competitive advantage through a combined EUR 1 billion R&D budget and a stronger product portfolio. The companies are a perfect fit with 28 compounds in development. Together with Serono management and employees, we will create a world-class biopharmaceutical company with global footprint, cutting-edge biotechnology manufacturing and strong growth.

Ernesto Bertarelli said: With this transaction we create a combined business with strong capabilities, especially in neurology and oncology. Together with Serono, Merck will be a world-class biotechnology company and a major player in the global pharmaceutical market. This match will allow Seronos innovative biotech abilities to play an important role in the future of the combined company while expanding its global reach.

Strategic Rationale
Together with Serono, Merck achieves:
Critical mass in R&D with an annual budget of approximately EUR 1 billion
R&D capabilities greater than the sum of the parts
Market-leading Multiple Sclerosis franchise to broaden business portfolio
Expanded geographic reach and access to the U.S. market
World-class biotechnology manufacturing

Merck-Serono Biopharmaceuticals
Mercks Pharma Ethicals division will be combined with Serono to create Merck-Serono Biopharmaceuticals.The headquarters of this business will be in Geneva, Switzerland. Merck-Serono BiopharmaceuticalsU.S. headquarters will be in Boston, MA. Based on 2005 figures, the new Merck Group would have pro-forma sales of EUR 7.7 billion, including EUR 3.6 billion in biopharmaceutical sales. The Merck Group will have a total number of about 35,000 employees. Merck's successful business model of competing in both pharmaceuticals and chemicals will remain in place and be strengthened by this combination.

メルクは今年3月に独シェーリングの買収に乗り出したが、独バイエルがシェーリングと事業統合することになり、失敗した。セローノの買収により、バイエル・シェーリング連合に対抗する。


http://www.fertilityasia.jp/japan/about/index.jsp

 セローノは、全世界で従業員4,900人のバイオテクノロジー業界最大手企業です。現在8種類のバイオテクノロジー製品を販売し、30件以上の進行中の開発プロジェクトがあります。特に次の4種の治療分野を中心に製品を販売しています。

・不妊治療…セローノは不妊治療の分野におけるグローバルリーダーです。
・神経治療… セローノの
Rebif(R) は、米国・日本以外において再発性多発硬化症の主要治療薬です。(日本では未承認です)
・発育・代謝関連… 小児・成人の成長不全や
AIDSによる消耗疾患に対する治療薬を販売しています。
・皮膚科関連 中度〜重度の乾癬治療用
Raptiva(R)の承認をもって、新しい治療エリアに進出していきます。(日本では未承認です)
http://www.serono.com/index.html