In accordance with its commitment to plant health research and development, Nitragin, Inc., the technological and market share leader in the crop bioscience industry, announces the acquisition of Cambridge, Ontario-based
Agribiotics Inc. through its Canadian affiliate Nitragin Holding Inc.

The March 24, 2006 acquisition marks the fusion of these forward-thinking, researchbased companies. Agribiotics has an impressive portfolio of yield-enhancing technologies that align closely with Nitragin’s offerings.

“Nitragin has taken the lead role in the movement toward the recognition, research and development of plant health-focused technology,” says Tom Winkofske, President of Nitragin. “Our focus on plant health, as a determinant of value, recognizes the importance of optimal early plant health right out of the ground to the final return the growers see on their investment.”

As a result of its leadership in plant health technology, Nitragin has produced a number of innovative products, most notably the patented LCO Promoter Technology™, marketed under the Optimize® brand. LCO Promoter Technology is a natural, biological molecule that brings early-season health benefits to a number of legume crops. This acquisition allows Nitragin to extend the use of plant health products such as LCO Promoter Technology to non-legume crops. Because this new technology is genuinely green, utilizing a natural, biological molecule, this new line of products will fit nearly any production practice.

“Nitragin currently offers LCO Promoter Technology and other crop-enhancing products that soybean, peanut, alfalfa and pea/lentil growers have found extremely effective,” says Winkofske. “The acquisition of Agribiotics allows Nitragin to make this exceedingly successful technology available to corn, wheat, cotton and other growers.
We are excited to share with these growers how LCO Promoter Technology products can substantially increase their yields.”

“Nitragin has a proven track record of successfully commercializing this revolutionary LCO Promoter Technology, making it profitable for everyone from growers to the distribution channel,” says Dr. Scott Fleetwood, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Nitragin, Inc. “The acquisition of Agribiotics gives Nitragin the opportunity to utilize this technology in non-legume crops. Dealers, growers and others involved in producing these crops will soon enjoy the benefits that have only been available in legumes.” The acquisition of Agribiotics reflects Nitragin’s continued leadership and commitment to make technologies from around the world available to growers who are operating in a global market. Nitragin strives to produce products that add economic, environmental and production value for growers and distributors alike.

The Nitragin Company was founded in 1898 after a Milwaukee entrepreneur purchased rights to a commercial process for the production of nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. The business remained privately owned until 1982. In 1991 Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany purchased the business. Now headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Nitragin, Inc. is committed to advancing yield-enhancing technologies and making these products available to growers.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with sales of EUR 5.9 billion in 2005, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by 29,133 employees in 54 countries. The former U.S. subsidiary, Merck & Co., has been completely independent of the Merck Group since 1917.