Merck is one of the world’s leading suppliers of laboratory chemicals to research, teaching and industrial establishments.

Darmstadt, Germany / Bangalore, India, October 13, 2009 -- Merck KGaA announced today the acquisition of Bangalore Genei (India) Private Ltd. (BGIP) by its wholly owned subsidiary in India, Merck Specialities Private Ltd., from the Sanmar Group. By combining BGIP's activities with Merck's existing bioscience business, Merck will become one of the leading bioscience companies in India.

BGIP is located in Bangalore and specializes in the development, production, marketing and sales of products for proteomic and genomic research. With more than 100 employees, the company generated total revenues of INR 202m (€ 2.9 million) in fiscal year 2008/09.

Christina Shasserre, Global Head of Merck's bioscience business, commented: "BGIP’s leadership in the Indian academic market, a segment with high growth potential, will ideally complement our existing customer base. BGIP’s product portfolio comprises a wide range of bioscience products, which are tailored to the needs of the domestic market in India."

About Merck Laboratory Chemicals

Merck is one of the world’s leading suppliers of laboratory chemicals to research, teaching and industrial establishments, offering an extensive range of products suitable for analytical chromatography, microbiology, food testing, environmental analysis and pharmaceutical research. It also produces reagents for analytical and general applications as well as solvents, salts, acids, alkalis and organic chemicals. Merck caters a wide variety of laboratory requirements, providing its customers with specific solutions that allow them to operate their laboratories safely and efficiently.

About Merck

Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total revenues of € 7.6 billion in 2008, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by approximately 33,000 employees in 60 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and free shareholders own the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.