Markets

U.S. open in 11 hrs, 6 mins
10,433.71
-17.24
 
0.16%
2,169.18
-6.83
 
0.31%
1,105.65
-0.59
 
0.05%
100.594
0.4062
 
0.41%
5,323.96
-31.54
 
0.59%
9,405.18
3.60
 
0.04%
22,368.25
-54.89
 
0.24%
0.0004
 
0.03%
-0.53
 
0.60%
1,165.50
0.00
 
0.00%
75.97
-0.05
 
0.07%
Bookmark and Share

Merck to complete $41B purchase of Schering-Plough

AP
posted: 21 DAYS 10 HOURS AGO
Text SizeAAA
WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. -Merck & Co. is set to complete its $41 billion acquisition of Schering-Plough Corp. later Tuesday, creating the world's second-largest drugmaker, behind Pfizer Inc.
The companies expect the deal will close after the end of market trading Tuesday.
The completion comes after the U.S. Federal Trade Commission approved the deal Thursday. Regulators in Europe and elsewhere, and shareholders of both companies, have already approved it.
The two companies have been jointly selling the cholesterol drugs Vytorin and Zetia for years.
The deal adds allergy drugs Nasonex and Clarinex to Merck's Singulair and its diabetes pill Januvia. It also gives Merck animal and consumer health products, and a promising biotech division.
(CORRECTS to say deal will close later Tuesday.)
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
2009-11-03 12:08:44
COMMENTS ( 0 )
GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?
YOU'LL BE ASKED TO REGISTER OR SIGN IN BEFORE POSTING A COMMENT.
Make a Comment
Comment
 
Download the Daily Finance iPhone Application

Headlines From AOL Money & Finance Partners

CNBC
The Big Money
Smart Money
Kiplinger.com
The street

Visit Money & Finance for stock quotes, the web's best online portfolio manager and the latest business & financial news. Find out about every aspect of personal finance and money management, from finding the best mortgage rates and preventing identity theft to making money, saving money and investing money.