Merck & Co, Inc has been advised by AstraZeneca PLC that it will exercise the option to obtain Merck's interest in AstraZeneca's non-proton pump inhibitor (non-PPI) products this year. Those products are Atacand, Lexxel, Plendil and Entocort plus certain products currently in clinical development. In April, Merck will receive a payment of US$ 647 million which represents the net present value as of March 31, 2008 for the company's share of the projected pretax revenue for the non-PPI products.

As a result of this decision, AstraZeneca will have an option to acquire Merck's interest in the PPI products, including Nexium, in 2012, or later, under certain circumstances.