Sigma-Aldrich, Merck KGaA Make Progress Toward Completion of Planned Acquisition

Sigma-Aldrich Corporation announced today it is making progress toward closing the planned acquisition of the company by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The closing is now expected within the next two months.
 
On Aug. 11, 2015, Sigma-Aldrich and Merck announced they had obtained all necessary antitrust approvals, with the approval of the European Commission (EC) being conditional upon the sale of parts of Sigma-Aldrich’s solvents and inorganics business in Europe. Negotiations with potential buyers are in the final stage. Once a binding agreement has been signed, the EC must approve the buyer before Merck can complete the Sigma-Aldrich acquisition.
 
On Sept. 22, 2014, Merck and Sigma-Aldrich announced they had entered into a definitive agreement under which Merck, will acquire Sigma-Aldrich for $17 billion – $140 cash per share, establishing one of the leading players in the $130 billion global life science industry.