OREANDA-NEWS. Merck, a leading science and technology company, today informed analysts and investors at its 2015 Capital Market Day about the strategic priorities that will influence its operating result in 2016. The integration of Sigma-Aldrich as well as the further development of the pharmaceutical pipeline are at the top of the list.

Apart from the expected organic growth of net sales, to which all business sectors are expected to contribute, the acquisition of Sigma-Aldrich will have a positive impact on the operating result before exceptionals (EBITDA pre) next year. This includes expected cost synergies of EUR 90 million. At the same time, Merck is planning additional investments of around EUR 250 million in its pharmaceutical pipeline. In November, the company had forecast EBITDA pre of between EUR 3.58 billion and EUR 3.65 billion for 2015.

"Today, Merck is a global and modern company with strong businesses, each of which hold market-leading positions and the potential for further growth," said Executive Board Chairman and CEO Karl-Ludwig Kley. "Next year, our focus will mainly be on the integration of Sigma-Aldrich as well as the further development of the pharmaceutical pipeline."

Through acquisitions such as that of the life science company Sigma-Aldrich this year as well as AZ, Millipore and Serono in previous years, Merck has successfully transformed itself from a classic pharmaceutical and chemical company into a global specialist in science and technology.

"The foundations for growth have been laid, now it's about delivering," said Stefan Oschmann, member of the Executive Board and CEO-elect of Merck. "In Healthcare, we are targeting our efforts to prepare for growth; in Life Science, the focus is on the Sigma integration and the resulting cost synergies. And in Performance Materials, we want to further strengthen our technological leadership position and expand our OLED business."