Merck KGaA / Key word(s): Alliance 17.11.2014 08:48 Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Merck Announces Global Strategic Alliance with Pfizer on Anti-PD-L1 to Accelerate Presence in Immuno-Oncology Merck has entered into a global agreement with Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) to co-develop and co-commercialize MSB0010718C, an investigational anti-PD-L1 antibody currently in development by Merck as a potential treatment for multiple tumor types to accelerate the two companies' presence in immuno-oncology. The asset will be developed as a single agent as well as in various combinations with Pfizer's and Merck's broad portfolio of approved and investigational pipeline candidates. The two companies will also combine resources and expertise to advance Pfizer's anti-PD-1 antibody into Phase 1 trials. As part of the agreement, Merck will co-promote Pfizer's XALKORI, a medicine to treat non-small cell lung cancer, in the United States and several other key markets. Therefore, the alliance will accelerate Merck's entry into the US oncology market. Under the terms of the agreement, Merck will receive an upfront payment of $ 850 million (approx. EUR 680 million) and is eligible to receive regulatory and commercial milestone payments of up to $ 2.0 billion. Both companies will jointly fund all development and commercialization costs and all revenues obtained from selling any anti-PD-L1 or anti-PD-1 products generated from this collaboration will be shared. Certain statements made herein may be deemed to be solicitation materials in respect of the proposed acquisition of Sigma-Aldrich by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The proposed acquisition will be submitted to the stockholders of Sigma-Aldrich for their consideration on December 5, 2014. In connection therewith, on November 3, 2014, Sigma-Aldrich filed a definitive proxy statement with the SECand began mailing the definitive proxy statement to its stockholders of record as of the close of business on October 29, 2014. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR ANY INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and stockholders may obtain free copies of the proxy statement, any amendments or supplements thereto and other documents containing important information about Sigma-Aldrich, once such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Sigma-Aldrich will be available free of charge on Sigma-Aldrich's website at http://investor.sigmaaldrich.com under the heading "Financial Information-SEC Filings". Stockholders of Sigma-Aldrich may also obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement by contacting Sigma-Aldrich's Investor Relations Department at (314) 898-4643. Sigma-Aldrich and certain of its directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Sigma-Aldrich is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 21, 2014, its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, which was filed with the SEC on February 6, 2014, and in subsequent documents filed with the SEC, each of which can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation of the stockholders of Sigma-Aldrich and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by share holdings or otherwise, is contained in the definitive proxy statement and other relevant materials filed with the SEC. 17.11.2014 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: Merck KGaA Frankfurter Str. 250 64293 Darmstadt Germany Phone: +49 (0)6151 72 - 3321 Fax: +49 (0)6151 72 - 913321 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.merck.de ISIN: DE0006599905 WKN: 659990 Indices: DAX Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München, Stuttgart; Terminbörse EUREX; London, SIX End of Announcement DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------