JERSEY CITY, N.J.-- February 17, 2022 -- Organon (NYSE: OGN) today announced that it has acquired the rights from Bayer AG to Marvelon® and Mercilon®, combined oral hormonal daily contraceptive pills, in the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong and Macau, and has entered into an agreement to acquire the rights to these products in Vietnam. Marvelon and Mercilon are already owned, manufactured, and marketed by Organon as prescription oral contraceptives in 20 other markets. This acquisition gives Organon full global ownership of these brands (except in South Korea) by reacquiring the rights to them in these markets. The agreement to acquire the rights in Vietnam is expected to close in the first half of 2022 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.

“This is an important opportunity for Organon as we look to grow our contraception portfolio and further bolster our offerings to women in all parts of the world through strategic business development,” said Susanne Fiedler, Chief Commercial Officer at Organon. “With Marvelon and Mercilon in the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong and Macau, and potentially Vietnam, we will have an opportunity to reach more women who are looking for contraceptive options in these markets and help to empower them with choice in an area of health that is important to them.”

Marvelon is currently available over the counter in the People’s Republic of China and both Marvelon and Mercilon are available over the counter in Hong Kong and Macau. Marvelon and Mercilon are currently available by prescription in Vietnam. Both contraceptives were acquired by Bayer AG in these markets from Merck & Co., Inc. in 2014 as part of the sale of Merck & Co.’s consumer care business. Marvelon and Mercilon are not available in the United States.