Schering AG plans to transfer its majority rights in the Finnish company Oy Leiras Finland Ab to Nycomed Pharma as of December 31, 2002. Nycomed Pharma will own 51 per cent of Oy Leiras Finland Ab while the Schering Group retains 49 per cent of the shares in the company. The Schering Group holds 75.1 per cent of the shares up to today. The transaction is subject to the approval of the anti-trust authorities.

The transaction has no effect on Schering's ownership of either Leiras Oy or Leiras Fine Chemicals Oy. In Finland, the Schering Group comprises Schering Oy, Leiras Oy and MAP Medical Technologies Oy, and two joint ventures: Leiras Fine Chemicals Oy and Oy Leiras Finland Ab.

Oy Leiras Finland Ab was established in November 2001 as a jointly owned company of the Schering Group an Nycomed Pharma. Upon foundation of the company, Nycomed Pharma was granted an option to acquire the majority rights at a later date, earliest in late 2002.