
Merck KGaA (FRA: MRK) has closed the share purchase agreement signed with the Bertarelli family on September 21, 2006, and now holds the majority of the capital as well as the voting rights of Serono S.A. (NYSE: SRA).
Serono is a global biotechnology and reproductive health leader.
The Bertarelli family's bearer shares with a par value of CHF 25 each were acquired for CHF 1,100 per share and the registered shares with a par value of CHF 10 each for CHF 440 per share. The shares represent about 66% of Serono's capital and approximately 76% of the voting rights.
Additionally, Merck has purchased additional shares on the Swiss capital market and currently holds around 84% of Serono's capital and 89% of the voting rights.
Source: Merck Serono S.A. (a pdf file)
[Notice the change in Serono's name and URL? It's now Merck Serono S.A.]



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