MERCK KGAA ESTABLISHES U.S. GENERIC PHARMACEUTICALS UNIT

Merck KGaA announced today that it has established a generic pharmaceuticals business, Genpharm, L.P., in New York to provide direct access to customers in the United States.

"This will increase Merck's presence in the world's largest pharmaceutical market and will help solidify our position as the world's third-largest global generics company," said Hank Klakurka, CEO of the Merck Generics Group, a wholly owned business of Merck KGaA in Darmstadt, Germany.

Business Wire (http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050808005406&newsLang=en)