Darmstadt, Germany -– Merck, a leading company for innovative

and top-quality high-tech products in the pharmaceutical, chemical and life science

sectors, today achieved an important milestone in the process of acquiring U.S.-based

life science company Sigma-Aldrich. The shareholders of Sigma-Aldrich approved the

merger with Merck at a special meeting held at the Sigma-Aldrich Life Science and

Technology Center in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. With approximately 78%, shareholders

owning the required majority of the outstanding shares of Sigma-Aldrich approved the

proposed transaction.

Shareholder approval was one of the conditions the transaction is subject to. According

to the merger agreement publicly announced on September 22, 2014, Merck will

acquire all of the outstanding Sigma-Aldrich shares for $140 per share in cash.

Merck continues to expect the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals, to

close in mid-year 2015. Merck is working closely with the respective authorities to

ensure a seamless transaction. The acquisition had already unanimously been

approved by Sigma-Aldrich’s Board of Directors in September 2014. A Merck

shareholder vote is not required.