AstraZeneca to pay Merck $647 Million for Drug Interests

The Associated Press reports that Merck & Co. will receive a $647 million payment next month as AstraZeneca PLC exercises an option to buy Merck''s interest in some AstraZeneca products. AstraZeneca will obtain Merck''s interest in non-proton pump inhibitor products Atacand, Lexxel and Plendil, which treat hypertension; and Entocort, a Crohn''s disease treatment, plus some products in development. AstraZeneca also will have the option to acquire Merck''s interest in proton pump inhibitor products like the heartburn treatment Nexium in 2012 or later.