Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) and Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP) today announced that they have received clearance from the European Commission (EC) under the EC Merger Regulation for their proposed merger.
“Approval from the European Commission marks a key milestone for the completion of our transaction with Schering-Plough,” said Richard T. Clark, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Merck. “We're making good progress towards our closing and look forward to creating a strong, global leader that will make a substantial difference to patients and health care around the world.”
Integration planning teams from Merck and Schering-Plough are working together to ensure that the combined company will be well equipped to begin its first day of business as soon as the merger is completed. Merck and Schering-Plough continue to expect the transaction to close in the fourth quarter of 2009.