Recently, the European Union (EU) approved the proposed $41.1 billion merger between Schering-Plough (SGP) and Merck & Co. (MRK). The deal is awaiting approval from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year. While approving the merger, the EU clarified that the tie-up will not hinder effective competition significantly in Europe, even though both participants in the merger operate in the field of prescription pharmaceuticals. While checking for overlaps in Europe, particularly in the fields of asthma and allergic rhinitis, the European body did not find the products to be close competitors. Consequently, the merger would not be considered to hog the market and choke other companies. As a reminder, Merck filed for EU approval last month after the completion of the sale of its 50% interest in animal health company Merial Limited (Merial) to ...

Yesterday, Merck & Co. (MRK) announced that it is seeking approval from the European Union (EU) for its $41.1 billion acquisition of Schering-Plough Corp. (SGP). The regulatory authorities in the EU are expected to pass a verdict on the matter by Oct. 23. Merck filed for approval of the merger in the EU after the completion of the sale of its 50% interest in animal health company Merial Limited (Merial) to Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) for a cash consideration of $4 billion ( US ). As a reminder, Merial was founded in 1997. It was a 50/50 joint venture between Merck and Sanofi-Aventis and is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the latter. In 2008, Merial was ranked third in the animal health market, with a market share estimated at 13.8% and sales of $2.7 billion just behind Schering’s animal health business, which registered sales ...