OREANDA-NEWS. July 04, 2016. Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada) today announced it has executed an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in Vall?e S.A., a leading privately-held producer of animal health products in Brazil.

Vall?e has an extensive portfolio of more than 100 products spanning parasiticides, anti-infectives and vaccines. The company’s portfolio includes products for livestock, horses, and companion animals. Vall?e was founded with the mission of producing a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine for Brazil and has expanded significantly, with distribution centers in Brazil and operations in Paraguay, Venezuela, Mexico and Bolivia.

“Merck Animal Health has a broad portfolio of products to protect against some of the most important pathogens affecting livestock,” said Rick DeLuca, president, Merck Animal Health. “We are pleased to complement our portfolio with products from Vall?e, which will further strengthen our presence in Latin America and help us respond even more quickly and effectively to the region’s needs.”

The agriculture industry is an important driver of the economy in Latin America. This region contributes 11% of the value of the world food production1 and a significant number of the cattle in the region are vaccinated with Vall?e S.A. vaccines.

“As one of the largest producers of protein in the world, Brazil is an important market for us,” explains Ralph Cabezas, vice president, Latin America region, Merck Animal Health. “Vall?e has been a trusted manufacturing partner in this region for a number of years and we are pleased to offer their products to our customers to help protect animals from diseases.”

Under terms of the agreement, Merck Animal Health, through a subsidiary, will acquire approximately 93% of the shares of Vall?e S.A. at closing, in exchange for a payment of \\$400 million, based on current exchange rates. This agreement is subject to regulatory review and certain closing conditions.

About Merck Animal Health

For 125 years, Merck has been a global health care leader working to help the world be well. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck (NYSE:MRK). Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals™, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter at @MerckAH.

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This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

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1 Inter-American Development Bank website http://www.iadb.org/en/topics/agriculture/latin-american-agriculture-statistics,2342.html. Accessed on May 24, 2016.