Sanofi-aventis and Merck & Co., Inc. announced that Raul E Kohan will be appointed chief executive officer of their proposed Animal Health joint venture. Sanofi-aventis and Merck - known as MSD outside the United States and Canada - intend to combine Merial with Intervet/Schering-Plough, to create a new global leader in Animal Health to be called Merial-Intervet.

Kohan is currently president of Intervet/Schering-Plough, Merck's Animal Health business. He will commence his new responsibilities when the new joint venture is approved by regulatory authorities and closes, which is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2011. The formation of this new animal health joint venture is subject to execution of final agreements, antitrust review in the United States, Europe and other countries, as well as other customary closing conditions.

"Raul Kohan will head this new leader in Animal Health", said Christopher A. Viehbacher, chief executive officer of sanofi-aventis. "The talents, products and expertise of both companies are very complementary and will create a company with greater geographical and market coverage. As a result, we expect the new Merial-Intervet joint venture to drive significant growth".

"Raul brings a wealth of animal health and global pharmaceutical industry experience," said Richard T. Clark, Merck chairman and chief executive officer. "We're pleased that Raul will lead the integration of the two companies while continuing to deliver global growth momentum. The new joint venture will have one of the broadest portfolios of animal health products and services in pharmaceuticals and biologics to meet the needs of millions of customers."

Raul Kohan is executive vice president and president, global animal health, Merck. He joined Schering-Plough in 1984 and has since held positions of increasing responsibility.

José Barella, the current executive chairman of Merial, will continue his role until the transaction closes. Thus, he will work closely with Kohan and will contribute significantly to the transition and creation of the new combined animal health business.

The new Merial-Intervet joint venture will offer a broader portfolio of animal health products and services in pharmaceuticals and biologics, as well as, the ability to capitalize on growth opportunities in all fields and countries around the world.

The worldwide animal health market reached $19 billion in 2008. Products for companion animals accounted for 40 per cent of total sales while products for production animals accounted for the remaining 60 per cent of total sales. This market is expected to grow at around 5 per cent per year over the next 5 years, driven by a growing demand for animal proteins, as well as a strong consumer needs for companion animal health care.

Merial and Intervet/Schering-Plough will continue to operate independently until the closing of the transaction.