Taro, Sun Pharma enter merger agreement

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Reuters: SUN.BO, Bloomberg: SUNP IN, NSE: SUNPHARMA, BSE: 524715) ("Sun Pharma") and Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TARO) ("Taro") announced today that they have entered into a merger agreement together with certain affiliates of Sun Pharma.

The merger agreement provides that all shareholders of Taro other than Sun Pharma and its affiliates will receive a cash payment of $39.50 per share upon the closing of the merger. Sun Pharma and its affiliates collectively own approximately 66.0% of the outstanding Taro ordinary shares and 100% of Taro's founders shares, representing approximately 77.5% of the outstanding voting power in Taro.

Upon completion of the merger, Taro will become a privately held company, will be wholly owned by affiliates of Sun Pharma, and its ordinary shares will no longer be traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

The closing of the merger is subject to certain terms and conditions customary for transactions of this type, including the affirmative vote at the shareholder meeting to be convened to approve the merger (the "Shareholder Meeting") of (1) at least 75% of the voting power of the Taro ordinary shares voting at the Shareholder Meeting, (2) at least 75% of the voting power of the Taro founders shares voting at the Shareholder Meeting and (3) at least 75% of the total voting power of Taro (ordinary shares and founders shares together) voting at the Shareholder Meeting, including at least a majority of the voting power voted that is not held by Sun Pharma or its affiliates (unless the total voting power of Taro held by holders other than interested shareholders and voting against the merger does not exceed 2% of the total voting power of Taro). In connection with the proposed transaction, Taro intends to mail a proxy statement to its shareholders and to file relevant materials with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.