REFILE-Merck KGaA to sell Bristol drugs in Latin America

Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:09am EDT
 
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(Corrects to add KGaA after Merck in headline)

FRANKFURT, June 10 (Reuters) - Merck KGaA (MRCG.DE) has signed an agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY.N) to sell more than 30 prescription drugs of the U.S. drugmaker in Latin America, the German company said on Tuesday.

Merck KGaA said in a statement its Merck Serono unit had acquired the exclusive rights to market, sell and distribute the prescription medicines, in particular in cardio-metabolic care, in seven Latin American countries.

Sales of Bristol-Myers Squibb for this portfolio exceeded $90 million in 2007.

Merck KGaA shares were 0.9 percent lower at 87.04 euros at 1343 GMT. (Reporting by Mantik Kusjanto; editing by Sue Thomas)