Sanofi-Aventis closes acquisition of Merial

Sanofi-Aventis has completed its $4 billion cash acquisition of the 50% interest in Merial that it did not already own. It acquired the stake from its joint venture partner Merck & Co, which was required to sell the stake for antitrust reasons linked to its purchase of Schering-Plough (scripnews.com, July 31st, 2009).

Merial, which is number three in the animal health market with sales of $2.7 billion, will report to Sanofi-Aventis's executive...