Schering-Plough acquires Organon BioSciences

Nov 20 2007

Schering-Plough Corporation has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Organon BioSciences N.V., creating a stronger combined company with broader human and animal health portfolios, an enhanced pipeline and increased R&D capabilities. Schering-Plough's agreement to acquire Organon BioSciences was announced on March 12, 2007.

"By bringing together complementary businesses, we will be growing even stronger and even better in our people, products and science," said Fred Hassan, chairman and chief executive officer, Schering-Plough Corporation. "The promise of this combination is profound. We will be working hard to realize that promise -- for our customers, for the patients, for our other stakeholders and for our shareowners."

Organon BioSciences is comprised primarily of Organon, a human health business, and Intervet, an animal health business. It also includes Nobilon, a human vaccine development unit, and Diosynth, a third-party manufacturing unit of Organon. Schering-Plough acquired Organon BioSciences from Akzo Nobel N.V. for approximately euro 11 billion in cash.

Hassan said, "Through this combination we create a powerful science and technology platform. We expand and strengthen Schering-Plough's late-stage Rx pipeline with five additional promising Phase III compounds. We acquire a robust biologics manufacturing capability that is an excellent match for our earlier-stage biologics projects.

"With Organon, we expand into two important prescription pharmaceutical franchises, women's health and central nervous system (CNS)," added Hassan. "These therapeutic areas add to our existing strengths in cardiovascular care, respiratory, immunology and oncology."

The transaction also makes Schering-Plough a global leader in Animal Health through the combination of Schering-Plough Animal Health and Intervet. "We increase our science strength, and we increase our scale in Animal Health," said Hassan. "This greatly increases the value we will bring to customers. We see this strong combined Animal Health unit as a key strategic part of our integrated business that will contribute to long-term high performance."

As a result of the combination, Schering-Plough's leading prescription products will include the Organon products: FOLLISTIM/ PUREGON, a fertility treatment; ZEMURON/ ESMERON, a muscle relaxant; and NUVARING and IMPLANON for contraception. These add to Schering-Plough's strong base of human pharmaceuticals, including VYTORIN and ZETIA, cholesterol-lowering medicines that Schering-Plough markets through a global joint venture with Merck & Co., Inc.; REMICADE, a treatment for immune-mediated inflammatory disorders marketed outside the U.S.; NASONEX, a prescription allergy nasal spray; and PEGINTRON for hepatitis C. Additionally, Schering-Plough's Consumer Health Care segment is an important asset with key products, including OTC CLARITIN, MiraLAX, DR. SCHOLL'S and COPPERTONE.

In Animal Health, the combination brings together complementary pharmaceutical products and vaccines to help prevent and cure diseases and increase performance. Schering-Plough adds to its portfolio additional vaccines for major animal species, such as VISTA/BOVILIS, a vaccine line for respiratory and reproductive infectious diseases in cattle; the NOBILIS range of live and inactivated vaccines protecting poultry against a wide range of viral and bacterial diseases; and CONTINUUM/NOBIVAC, a range of canine and feline vaccines. Schering-Plough will also have antiparasitics such as SAFE- GUARD/PANACUR, a de-wormer for use in many animal species; anti-infectives such as COBACTAN, a broad-spectrum antibiotic for livestock species and horses; and specialty products such as VETSULIN/CANINSULIN, a diabetes mellitus treatment for dogs and cats. These products expand on Schering- Plough's growing presence in this market with products such as NUFLOR, a broad-spectrum antibiotic for cattle, swine and fish; OTOMAX, a canine ear ointment; RESFLOR, a combination antibiotic and anti-inflammatory for bovine respiratory disease; as well as the company's animal health services, including HOMEAGAIN, a U.S. proactive pet recovery network.