Acquisition of Sigma-Aldrich by Merck KGaA Receives U.S. Antitrust Clearance

Sigma-Aldrich Corporation announced that the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act (HSR Act) in connection with the acquisition expired on Dec. 22, 2014, thereby completing the U.S. HSR Act antitrust notification and review requirement for the acquisition of the Company by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
 
U.S. antitrust clearance satisfies another condition to closing the transaction, which remains subject to certain other conditions, including regulatory approval in additional jurisdictions. Sigma-Aldrich shareholders already approved the acquisition at a special meeting held in St. Louis on Dec.r 5, 2014. Both companies continue to expect the transaction will close in mid-2015.
 
On Sept. 22, 2014, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Sigma-Aldrich announced they had entered into a definitive agreement under which Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, will acquire Sigma-Aldrich for $17.0 billion (€13.1 billion), establishing one of the leading players in the $130 billion global life science industry.