Merck Animal Health Launches Safe-Guard® AquaSol

Highly Effective Dewormer Approved by FDA for use in Poultry

MADISON, N.J., January 14, 2016 – Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada) today announced the introduction of Safe-Guard® AquaSol (fenbendazole oral suspension) for use in U.S. poultry operations. Safe-Guard AquaSol is indicated for the treatment and control of adult Ascaridia galli in broiler chickens and replacement chickens intended to become breeding chickens, as well as for the treatment and control of adult A.galli and Heterakis gallinarum in breeding chickens.

“Managing gastrointestinal health properly results in better overall performance – uniformity, productivity and profitability,” said Ivan Alvarado, D.V.M., Director, Poultry Technical Services, Merck Animal Health. “Effective management also helps to minimize the economic impact that comes as a result of production losses, which is a priority for all of our customers.

“Safe-Guard products have a long history of proven results and we are excited to bring a new poultry formulation to the industry – one that provides a unique uniform treatment for the entire flock and has been approved by the FDA for use in chickens.”

Safe-Guard AquaSol is produced with an innovative wet-milling technology, which produces a highly stable suspension that can be conveniently administered through drinking water for a short, five consecutive-day treatment period.1 The product’s smaller particle sizes help to prevent sedimentation and clogged pipes, filters or nipple drinkers.1 There is no pre-slaughter withdrawal period when used according to the product label.

Safe-Guard AquaSol is available in 1 liter and 1 gallon presentations. For more information about this product, contact your Merck Animal Health sales representative.

Safety Information:
No withdrawal period is required when used according to the label. Do not use the drug in laying hens and replacement chickens intended to become laying hens. Consult your veterinarian for assistance in the diagnosis, treatment and control of parasitism.

About Merck Animal Health
Today’s Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals™, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA
This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).

1Data on file. Merck Animal Health.