Article
Sanofi announced that Merial, its animal health company, is acquiring the Merck manufacturing facility in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico.
Paris, France - December 4, 2014 - Sanofi announced that Merial, its animal health
company, is acquiring the Merck manufacturing facility in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico. The proposed
transaction requires approval from the United States Federal Trade Commission.
If approved, the acquisition will allow Merial to expand its global manufacturing operations and
make use of the site’s expertise in chewables’ manufacturing technology. As part of the agreement,
Merial will retain the approximately 200 Merck Barceloneta employees currently employed at this
formulation and packaging site.
"The Barceloneta manufacturing operation aligns well with Sanofi and Merial’s global business and
manufacturing strategies,” said Merial CEO and Sanofi EVP Carsten Hellmann. “This addition to
Merial’s global manufacturing network, which spans nine countries, enables Merial to further extend
its global production capabilities to deliver high-quality and innovative medicines that enhance the
health and well-being of animals. We look forward to assuming responsibility for this global
production site and welcoming its experienced employees to Merial.”
The formulation and packaging operations of the site were put up for sale by Merck. The
Barceloneta production facility has been involved in and will maintain responsibility for
manufacturing and packaging Merial’s industry-leading Heartgard® and Heartgard® Plus products.
About Heartgard and Heartgard Plus
Heartgard and Heartgard Plus are products used to help prevent heartworm disease in dogs and
cats. If not treated, this disease can be fatal. Heartgard is one of the top 5 best-selling animal health
products of all time. Heartgard Plus, which is also used to treat and control roundworms and
hookworms in dogs, today is the number 1 choice for heartworm prevention in dogs by U.S.
veterinarians.
About Merial
Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive
range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals.
Merial employs around 6,200 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide with more
than to €2 billion of sales. Merial is a Sanofi company. www.merial.com
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions
focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth
platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging
markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in
New York (NYSE: SNY).2/2
Sanofi Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include
projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and
expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential, and
statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “expects”,
“anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “plans” and similar expressions. Although Sanofi’s management believes
that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forwardlooking
information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and
generally beyond the control of Sanofi, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those
expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties
include among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, future clinical data and analysis,
including post marketing, decisions by regulatory authorities, such as the FDA or the EMA, regarding whether and when
to approve any drug, device or biological application that may be filed for any such product candidates as well as their
decisions regarding labelling and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of such product
candidates, the absence of guarantee that the product candidates if approved will be commercially successful, the future
approval and commercial success of therapeutic alternatives, the Group’s ability to benefit from external growth
opportunities, trends in exchange rates and prevailing interest rates, the impact of cost containment policies and
subsequent changes thereto, the average number of shares outstanding as well as those discussed or identified in the
public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by Sanofi, including those listed under “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Sanofi’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December
31, 2013. Other than as required by applicable law, Sanofi does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking information or statements.