Here's an article from a magazine that us individuals receive working
in the veternarian field about the possible merger between Merial and
Schering-Plough. It appears to NOT be a complete merger but only within
stocks and cash. However, whose to say they wouldn't keep the Galaxy-D.

Merck & Co. and Schering-Plough Corp. announced today that their boards
of directors have unanimously approved a merger plan in which Merck
would acquire Schering-Plough in a cash and stock transaction valued at
$41.1 billion.

The deal would involve some sort of relationship between Intervet/
Schering-Plough Animal Health, the largest animal health company in the
world, and Merial, the second-largest animal health company. Merck owns
50% of Merial, a joint venture that was established in 1997 in the
merger of the animal health companies of Merck and Rhone Merieux, a
predecessor to what is now sanofi-aventis.

It was unclear this morning if Intervet/Schering-Plough would be
combined with Merial, which operates as an independent, stand-alone
company. However, a full merger of Intervet/Schering-Plough and Merial
would create an animal health powerhouse with nearly $6 billion in
sales.

Merck said it would pay Schering-Plough shareholders $10.50 in cash
and 0.5767 share in Merck per share in Schering-Plough, or $21.61 per
share, a 34% premium to Schering-Plough's closing price last Friday.
The deal remains subject to approval by the two companies' shareholders
and customary regulatory review, but the companies said they hope to
complete the merger in the fourth quarter of this year.

The companies would merge under Merck's name, and Merck chair, chief
executive officer and president Richard T. Clark will lead the merged
organization, according to the announcement. Merck would have sales
exceeding $40 billion.

Sincerely,
Kris Church LVT

[Posted in FML 6391]