Merck KGaA announced that Merck Group Chief Financial Officer Matthias Zachert 46 has informed the chairman of the Family Board. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, as well as the Chairman of the Merck Executive Board, Karl-Ludwig Kley, that he has received the offer to be appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Lanxess AG. Merck will accept this request.

The effective date will be announces in due course.