Jul 24 2009
Schering-Plough Corporation today reported a proposed settlement, subject to Court approval, to resolve litigation seeking to enjoin the planned merger with Merck & Co., Inc., and other forms of relief.
The consolidated class action lawsuits, previously reported in the merger proxy statement/prospectus filed June 25, 2009, were filed in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
The proposed settlement, as more fully described in a Form 8-K being filed today, provides for Schering-Plough to make additional disclosures related to the proposed merger, which are contained in the Form 8-K. No damages would be paid by Schering-Plough in connection with this proposed settlement. The parties agreed that plaintiffs' counsel may apply to the Court for an award of attorneys' fees and costs, to be paid by Schering-Plough.
This settlement, if approved by the court, and the settlement announced by Merck today, will serve to resolve and release all claims that were or could have been brought by any shareholder of Schering-Plough or Merck challenging any aspect of the proposed merger, including any disclosures made in connection therewith. Schering-Plough said the proposed settlement is not in any way an admission of any wrongdoing or liability in connection with plaintiffs' allegations. The company said it agreed to settle the suit in order to avoid the further costs and inherent uncertainty of litigation.