Sigma-Aldrich-Merck KGaA Deal Obtains U.S. Antitrust Approval - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Sigma-Aldrich Corp. (SIAL) announced that the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act (HSR Act) in connection with the acquisition expired on December 22, 2014, thereby completing the U.S. HSR Act antitrust notification and review requirement for the acquisition of the Company by German drug maker Merck KGaA (MKGAY.PK).

U.S. antitrust clearance satisfies another condition to closing the transaction, which remains subject to certain other conditions, including regulatory approval in additional jurisdictions.

Sigma-Aldrich shareholders already approved the acquisition at a special meeting held in St. Louis on December 5, 2014.

Both companies continue to expect the transaction will close in mid-2015.

In September, Merck KGaA agreed to buy Sigma-Aldrich for $140 per share in cash, totaling $17 billion or 13.1 billion euros, establishing a major player in the life science industry. Merck expects the transaction to be immediately accretive to its earnings.