Merck KGaA announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the microbiology business of Biotest AG, Dreieich, Germany. This business comprises heipha Dr. Müller GmbH, located in Eppelheim, Germany, as well as the Hycon business located in Dreieich, the subsidiaries in France, Japan and in the USA as well as further activities and employees in several European countries. In all, the business has approximately 290 employees and sales of approximately EUR 50 million in 2010. The agreement is subject to antitrust approvals in Germany and Austria. Closing of the transaction is expected in the second half of 2011.

The acquisition allows the Merck Millipore division to complete its product portfolio in the attractive growth segment industrial microbiology for contamination detection. It is planned to integrate Biotest’s microbiology activities into Merck Millipore’s Lab Solutions business unit.

• Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany