DGAP-Adhoc: Merck KGaA: Merck to Acquire Sigma-Aldrich to

Merck KGaA / Key word(s): Offer 22.09.2014 11:56 Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Merck, a leading company for innovative and top-quality high-tech products in the pharmaceutical, chemical and life science sectors, and Sigma-Aldrich Corporation ("Sigma-Aldrich"), today have entered into a definitive agreement under which Merck will acquire Sigma-Aldrich for $17.0 billion (EUR13.1 billion), establishing one of the leading players in the $130 billion global life science industry. Merck will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Sigma-Aldrich for $140 per share in cash. The agreed price represents a 37% premium to the latest closing price of $102.37 on September 19, 2014, and a 36% premium to the one-month average closing price. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Merck's EPS pre and EBITDA margin. Merck expects to achieve annual synergies of approximately EUR260 million (approximately $340 million), which should be fully realized within three years after closing. Bridge financing has been secured for the all-cash transaction, and Merck expects the final financing structure will comprise a combination of cash on Merck's balance sheet, bank loans and bonds. Closing is expected mid-year 2015, subject to regulatory approvals, approval by a special meeting of the shareholders of Sigma-Aldrich and other customary closing conditions. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information and Explaination of the Issuer to this News: Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This communication may include 'forward-looking statements.' Statements that include words such as 'anticipate,' 'expect,' 'should,' 'would,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'project,' 'seek,' 'believe,' 'will,' and other words of similar meaning in connection with future events or future operating or financial performance are often used to identify forward-looking statements. All statements in this communication, other than those relating to historical information or current conditions, are forward-looking statements. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond control of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. Risks and uncertainties relating to the proposed transaction with Sigma-Aldrich Corporation ('Sigma-Aldrich') include, but are not limited to: the risk Sigma-Aldrich's shareholders do not approve the transaction; uncertainties as to the timing of the transaction; the risk that regulatory or other approvals required for the transaction are not obtained or are obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated; competitive responses to the transaction; litigation relating to the transaction; uncertainty of the expected financial performance of the combined company following completion of the proposed transaction; the ability of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to achieve the cost-savings and synergies contemplated by the proposed transaction within the expected time frame; the ability of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to promptly and effectively integrate the businesses of Sigma-Aldrich and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany; the effects of the business combination of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Sigma-Aldrich, including the combined company's future financial condition, operating results, strategy and plans; the implications of the proposed transaction on certain employee benefit plans of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Sigma-Aldrich; and disruption from the proposed transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers. Additional risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the risks of more restrictive regulatory requirements regarding drug pricing, reimbursement and approval; the risk of stricter regulations for the manufacture, testing and marketing of products; the risk of destabilization of political systems and the establishment of trade barriers; the risk of a changing marketing environment for multiple sclerosis products in the European Union; the risk of greater competitive pressure due to biosimilars; the risks of research and development; the risks of discontinuing development projects and regulatory approval of developed medicines; the risk of a temporary ban on products/production facilities or of non-registration of products due to non-compliance with quality standards; the risk of an import ban on products to the United States due to an FDA warning letter; the risks of dependency on suppliers; risks due to product-related crime and espionage; risks in relation to the use of financial instruments; liquidity risks; counterparty risks; market risks; risks of impairment on balance sheet items; risks from pension obligations; risks from product-related and patent law disputes; risks from antitrust law proceedings; risks from drug pricing by the divested Generics Group; risks in human resources; risks from e-crime and cyber attacks; risks due to failure of business-critical information technology applications or to failure of data center capacity; environmental and safety risks; unanticipated contract or regulatory issues; a potential downgrade in the rating of the indebtedness of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, or Sigma-Aldrich; downward pressure on the common stock price of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, or Sigma-Aldrich and its impact on goodwill impairment evaluations; the impact of future regulatory or legislative actions; and the risks and uncertainties detailed by Sigma-Aldrich with respect to its business as described in its reports and documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'). The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included elsewhere, including the Report on Risks and Opportunities Section of the most recent annual report and quarterly report of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and the Risk Factors section of Sigma-Aldrich's most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statements made in this communication are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, us or our business or operations. Except to the extent required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Important Additional Information This communication is being made in respect of the proposed merger transaction involving Sigma-Aldrich and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The proposed merger will be submitted to the stockholders of Sigma-Aldrich for their consideration. In connection therewith, Sigma-Aldrich intends to file relevant materials with the SEC, including a preliminary proxy statement and a definitive proxy statement. The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to the stockholders of Sigma-Aldrich. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR ANY INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the proxy statement, any amendments or supplements thereto and other documents containing important information about Sigma-Aldrich, once such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Sigma-Aldrich will be available free of charge on Sigma-Aldrich's website at www.sigmaaldrich.com under the heading 'SEC Documents' within the 'Investor Info' section in the 'Investors' portion of Sigma-Aldrich's website. Shareholders of Sigma-Aldrich may also obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement by contacting Sigma-Aldrich's Investor Relations Department at (314) 898-4643. Sigma-Aldrich and certain of its directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Sigma-Aldrich is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 21, 2014, its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, which was filed with the SEC on February 6, 2014, and in subsequent documents filed with the SEC, each of which can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation of the stockholders of Sigma-Aldrich and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the preliminary and definitive proxy statements and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available. 22.09.2014 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: Merck KGaA Frankfurter Str. 250 64293 Darmstadt Germany Phone: +49 (0)6151 72 - 3321 Fax: +49 (0)6151 72 - 913321 E-mail: investor.relations@merckgroup.com Internet: www.merck.de ISIN: DE0006599905 WKN: 659990 Indices: DAX Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München, Stuttgart; Terminbörse EUREX; London, SIX End of Announcement DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------