Merck Inc., sells Ophthamology products to Santen

Merck has announced y that it signed an agreement for Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. to purchase Merck�s ophthalmology products, Cosopt (dorzolamide hydrochloride � timolol maleate ophthalmic solution), Cosopt PF (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) 2%/0.5%, Trusopt (dorzolamide hydrochloride ophthalmic solution) sterile ophthalmic solution 2%, Trusopt PF (dorzolamide hydrochloride ophthalmic solution) preservative-free, Timoptic (timolol maleate ophthalmic solution), Timoptic PF (timolol maleate preservative free ophthalmic solution in unit dose dispenser), Timoptic XE (timolol maleate ophthalmic gel forming solution), Salflutan (tafluprost) and Tapiqom (tafluprost-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution, in development) in Japan and key markets in Europe and Asia Pacific. anten will make an upfront payment of approximately $600 million and additional payments based on defined sales milestones as needed.Merck divested its U.S. ophthalmology business to Akorn Pharmaceuticals in 2013 and 2014. Merck will continue to sell its ophthalmology products in Latin America, Canada, Australia, the Middle East, Africa and other markets.