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June 29, 2011 7:08 am ET

Merck’s (NYSE: MRK) animal health division, formerly known as
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, announced that effective today
it will begin using the new name, Merck Animal Health. It will be known
as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada.

“The name change reflects Merck’s commitment to animal health and its
complementary role to the overall business,” said Raul Kohan, President
of Merck Animal Health. “We are unwavering in our commitment to
veterinarians, producers, pet owners and society as a whole. We aim to
generate additional value and sustained growth by continuing to provide
integrated solutions with innovative animal health products and services
to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

Mr. Kohan continued, “With the scientific and business backing of Merck,
Merck Animal Health possesses the necessary mix of resources to enhance
our position as an industry leader.”

Merck Animal Health is a global leader in the research, development,
manufacturing and sale of veterinary medicines and vaccines, with a
strong presence in biologics and pharmaceuticals. The division generated
global sales of $2.9 billion in 2010.

Merck values the diversification that Merck Animal Health brings to its
portfolio, and sees growth opportunities in the business that can be
leveraged across both animal and human health. The company intends to
capitalize on Merck Animal Health’s broad and innovative portfolio going
forward, and to develop the unit into a best-in-class global animal
health leader.

The name change follows the joint announcement on March 22, 2011 by
Merck and sanofi-aventis that ended plans to form a new animal health
joint venture. Both companies mutually decided to discontinue their
agreement primarily because of the increasing complexity of implementing
the proposed transaction.

About Merck Animal Health

Today’s Merck is a global healthcare 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.
Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and
governments 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.

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include,
but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the merger
between Merck and Schering-Plough, including future financial and
operating results, the combined company’s plans, objectives,
expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical
facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and
expectations of Merck’s management and are subject to significant risks
and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the
forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to
differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the
possibility that the expected synergies from the merger of Merck and
Schering-Plough will not be realized, or will not be realized within the
expected time period; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation
and health care legislation; the risk that the businesses will not be
integrated successfully; disruption from the merger making it more
difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; Merck’s
ability to accurately predict future market conditions; dependence on
the effectiveness of Merck’s patents and other protections for
innovative products; the risk of new and changing regulation and health
policies in the U.S. and internationally and the exposure to litigation
and/or regulatory actions.

Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ
materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be
found in Merck’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company’s other
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at
the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).