Marion Merrell Dow Inc

Hot Line on Allergy Drugs Established: Warner-Lambert, which makes the over-the-counter product Benadryl, said a medical professional will field calls at (800) 524-2624 "to keep the public informed" about antihistamines. The service was created after the government asked Marion Merrell Dow Inc., maker of the prescription drug Seldane, to warn doctors and patients that its product can cause lethal heart problems if taken in combination with two other medications.

An agreement to ensure competition for four drugs means the $7.1-billion merger of Hoechst and Marion Merrell Dow Inc. can be completed, the Federal Trade Commission said Monday. The plan to create the world's third-largest drug company was announced in June but has not become final pending settlement of antitrust concerns by the FTC. Under terms of the settlement, the combined company, Hoechst Marion Roussel Inc., will have to help another drug concern, Biovail Corp.

In the latest in a wave of drug industry mergers giving foreign firms an ever-larger U.S. foothold, German chemical giant Hoechst on Thursday agreed to buy Marion Merrell Dow Inc. for $7.1 billion, or $25.75 a share, in cash. The deal, months in the making, is the largest U.S. acquisition ever by a German firm. Although the purchase would double Hoechst's U.S. presence, the German company would emerge with only 2% of the drug market here.

In the latest in a wave of drug industry mergers giving foreign firms an ever-larger U.S. foothold, German chemical giant Hoechst on Thursday agreed to buy Marion Merrell Dow Inc. for $7.1 billion, or $25.75 a share, in cash. The deal, months in the making, is the largest U.S. acquisition ever by a German firm. Although the purchase would double Hoechst's U.S. presence, the German company would emerge with only 2% of the drug market here.

In the latest of a string of strategic alliances between young biotechnology firms and established drug manufacturers, Gensia Pharmaceuticals of San Diego has agreed to sell 15.9% of its stock for $15 million to Marion Merrell Dow Inc. The deal gives Marion Merrell Dow the right to exclusively license, manufacture and market certain oral drugs Gensia is developing that use a new class of compounds called purine/pyrimidines to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Scios Inc. said it agreed with Marion Merrell Dow Inc. to develop new therapies for Alzheimer's disease. Marion Merrell Dow will fund ongoing work at Scios in return for exclusive rights to develop and sell any drugs developed.

Dow Chemical Co. said Tuesday that it is discussing the possible sale of its Marion Merrell pharmaceutical subsidiary to German chemical giant Hoechst in a deal valued at $7.2 billion. Analysts said the deal, if approved, will expand Hoechst's presence in the U.S. market and give Dow a chance to boost its dividend, buy back stock or make an acquisition in the chemical industry.

Marion Merrell Dow Seeks Advice: The Kansas City, Mo., pharmaceuticals company said it has asked its investment banker to advise it on various strategic alliances it is considering "to keep pace with the rapid changes taking place" in the industry. In a news release, Marion Merrell Dow Inc. said it is evaluating candidates for acquisition and other business and marketing alliances. Separately, Dow Chemical Co.