Merck KGaA buys chemical maker Sigma Aldrich for $17B

Merck KGaA, a drug company based in Germany, said Monday it agreed to buy Sigma-Aldrich for about $17 billion to expand its business in North America and gain exposure in Asia, according to USA Today.

Merck KGaA, whose headquarters is in Darmstadt, Germany, shares the corporate name and has had historical ties with American drug-maker Merck & Co., but the U.S. company is independent.

The combined company would supply more than 300,000 products to labs and research facilities worldwide.

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