As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 2, 2007.

Registration Statement No. 333-      

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

SCHERING-PLOUGH CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

2000 Galloping Hill Road

Kenilworth, NJ 07033

(908) 298-4000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

 

 

Susan Ellen Wolf, Esq.

Corporate Secretary

Schering-Plough Corporation

2000 Galloping Hill Road

Kenilworth, NJ 07033

(908) 298-4000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.

 

 

 

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  o

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  þ

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  þ

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  o

 

 

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

Schering-Plough Corporation

 

Debt Securities

Preferred Shares

Common Shares

 

 

Schering-Plough may offer from time to time in one or more classes or series, together or separately:

 

 

Schering-Plough will provide specific terms of any securities that it offers for sale in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement or a term sheet.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Schering-Plough may sell these securities on a continuous or delayed basis directly, through agents or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. Schering-Plough reserves the sole right to accept, and together with any agents, dealers and underwriters, reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of securities. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any applicable commissions or discounts. Schering-Plough’s net proceeds from the sale of securities will also be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The date of this prospectus is August 2, 2007.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. You should rely only on the information provided in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. Schering-Plough has not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. Schering-Plough is not making an offer of any securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of those documents and that any information Schering-Plough has incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference or such other date referred to in such document, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale or issuance of a security.

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that Schering-Plough has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, Schering-Plough may from time to time sell or issue, in one or more offerings, Schering-Plough’s:

 

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities Schering-Plough may offer. Each time Schering-Plough sells or issues securities, Schering-Plough will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain information about the terms of that specific offering of securities and the specific manner in which they may be offered. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus and, accordingly, to the extent inconsistent, the information in this prospectus is superseded by the information in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement may also contain information about any material federal income tax considerations relating to the securities described in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under “Where You Can Find More Information” before making an investment in Schering-Plough’s securities.

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, or will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information”.

 

Because Schering-Plough is a “well-known seasoned issuer”, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, referred to as the Securities Act, Schering-Plough may add to and offer additional securities, including secondary securities, by filing a prospectus supplement with the SEC at the time of the offer.

 

The registration statement that contains this prospectus (including the exhibits to the registration statement) contains additional information about Schering-Plough and the securities offered under this prospectus. The registration statement can be read at the SEC website (http://www.sec.gov) or at the SEC offices listed under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information”.

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in a prospectus supplement related to an offering prepared by or on behalf of Schering-Plough or used or referred to by Schering-Plough. Schering-Plough has not authorized anyone else to provide you with different or additional information. You should not rely on any other information or representations. Schering-Plough’s affairs may change after this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement are conveyed. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the dates indicated in such documents. You should read all information supplementing this prospectus.

 

All references to “Schering-Plough Corporation”, “Schering-Plough” and “the company” in this prospectus refer to Schering-Plough Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless, in each case, the context clearly indicates otherwise.

 

 

Schering-Plough files reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document Schering-Plough files at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. In addition, the SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information that Schering-Plough electronically files. The address of the SEC’s website is http://www.sec.gov. You may also inspect Schering-Plough’s SEC reports and other information at the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

 

 

The SEC allows Schering-Plough to incorporate by reference the information it files with them, which means:

 

 

Schering-Plough incorporates by reference the documents listed below, which were filed with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, referred to as the Exchange Act, (excluding any portions of such documents that have been “furnished” but not “filed” for purposes of the Exchange Act):

 

 

 

Schering-Plough also incorporates by reference each of the following documents that Schering-Plough will file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus (excluding any portions of such documents that have been “furnished” but not “filed” for purposes of the Exchange Act):

 

 

Schering-Plough does not incorporate by reference any information furnished under items 2.02 or 7.01 (or corresponding information furnished under item 9.01 or included as an exhibit) in any past or current Form 8-K filing (unless otherwise indicated).

 

You may request a copy of any filings referred to above (excluding exhibits not specifically incorporated by reference into the filing), at no cost, by contacting Schering-Plough in writing or by telephone (908-298-7436) at the following address: Investor Relations, Schering-Plough Corporation, 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, NJ 07033.

 

Documents may also be available on Schering-Plough’s website at http://www.schering-plough.com. Please note that all references to “http://www.schering-plough.com” in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement that accompanies this prospectus and the related registration statement are inactive textual references only and that the information contained on Schering-Plough’s website is neither incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement nor intended to be used in connection with any offering hereunder.

 

This prospectus, the prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and other written reports and oral statements made from time to time by Schering-Plough may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations or forecasts of future events. Schering-Plough uses words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “project”, “intend”, “plan”, “potential”, “will”, and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of potential future events, circumstances or future operating or financial performance. You can also identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.

 

In particular, forward-looking statements include statements relating to future actions; ability to access the capital markets; prospective products or product approvals; timing and conditions of regulatory approvals; patent and other intellectual property protection; future performance or results of current and anticipated products; sales efforts; research and development programs and anticipated spending; estimates of rebates, discounts and returns; expenses and programs to reduce expenses; the anticipated cost of and savings from reductions in work force; the outcome of contingencies such as litigation and investigations; growth strategy; expected synergies and financial results.

 

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. Schering-Plough’s actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, some of which are more fully described in the following “Risk Factors” section, in the accompanying prospectus supplement and Schering-Plough’s reports to the SEC incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and there are no guarantees with respect to Schering-Plough’s performance. Schering-Plough does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement for any reason.

 

Schering-Plough’s business faces significant risks. Before you invest in any of Schering-Plough’s securities, in addition to the other information in this prospectus and in the accompanying prospectus supplement, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties identified in Schering-Plough’s reports to the SEC incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement. These risks may not be the only risks Schering-Plough faces. Additional risks that Schering-Plough does not yet know of or that Schering-Plough currently believes are immaterial or are based on assumptions that are later determined to be inaccurate also may impair Schering-Plough’s business. If any of the risks described herein or in the accompanying prospectus supplement or Schering-Plough’s reports to the SEC actually occur, Schering-Plough’s business and operating results could be materially harmed. This could cause the value of the purchased securities to decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

 

Schering-Plough is a global science-based company that discovers, develops and manufactures pharmaceuticals for three customer markets—human prescription, consumer and animal health. While most of the research and development activity is directed toward prescription products, there are important applications of this central research and development platform into the consumer healthcare and animal health products. Schering-Plough also accesses external innovation via partnering, in-licensing and acquisition for all three customer markets.

 

Schering-Plough’s principal executive offices are located at 2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, and Schering-Plough’s telephone number is (908) 298-4000. Schering-Plough was incorporated in New Jersey in 1970.

 

Schering-Plough’s consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and for the years ended December 31, 2002 through 2006 is set forth below. For the purpose of computing these ratios, “earnings” consist of income/(loss) before income taxes and equity income, plus fixed charges (other than capitalized interest and preference dividends), amortization of capitalized interest and distributed income of equity investee; and “fixed charges and preferred stock dividends” consist of interest expense, capitalized interest, preference dividends and one-third of rentals, which Schering-Plough believes to be a reasonable estimate of an interest factor on leases. Schering-Plough includes interest expense or interest income on unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. The ratio was calculated by dividing the sum of the fixed charges into the sum of the earnings before taxes and fixed charges.

 

 

 

 

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, Schering-Plough currently intends to use the net proceeds from any sale of the offered securities for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, expenses to acquire additional marketed products and pipeline projects (through acquisitions of companies or through product licenses which may include royalties, license fees and milestone payments), research and development costs, litigation costs, the repayment of debt, other capital expenses and other operating expenses. Schering-Plough may temporarily invest funds that are not immediately needed for these general corporate purposes. If Schering-Plough intends to use the proceeds to repay outstanding debt, Schering-Plough will provide details about the debt that is being repaid in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

This section contains a description of Schering-Plough’s capital stock. The following summary of the terms of Schering-Plough’s capital stock is not meant to be complete and is qualified by reference to Schering-Plough’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, referred to as the certificate of incorporation, and Schering-Plough’s amended and restated by-laws, referred to as the by-laws, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

As of June 30, 2007, Schering-Plough’s authorized capital stock consisted of:

 

(i) 2,400,000,000 common shares, par value $0.50 per share, of which:

 

 

(ii) 50,000,000 preferred shares, par value $1.00 per share, of which:

 

 

Common Shares

 

Holders of Schering-Plough’s common shares, subject to any preferential rights of the holders of any preferred shares, are entitled to participate equally and ratably in dividends when and as declared by Schering-Plough’s board of directors. In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of Schering-Plough, holders of Schering-Plough’s common shares are entitled to share ratably in the remaining assets of Schering-Plough available for distribution, subject to prior or equal distribution rights of any holders of preferred shares. Record holders of common shares are entitled to one vote per share for the election of directors and upon all matters on which holders of common shares are entitled to vote. Holders of Schering-Plough’s common shares do not have cumulative voting rights. There are no preemptive or conversion rights applicable to Schering-Plough’s common shares. All outstanding shares of Schering-Plough’s common shares are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Preferred Shares

 

Schering-Plough’s certificate of incorporation provides that its board of directors is authorized to issue preferred shares from time to time in one or more series without stockholder approval. Subject to limitations prescribed by law and Schering-Plough’s certificate of incorporation, the board of directors may fix for any series of preferred shares the number of shares of such series and the voting powers, designations, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series.

 

Schering-Plough’s certificate of incorporation provides that whenever Schering-Plough is in default as to accrued dividends on preferred shares in an amount equivalent to six quarterly dividends, the holders of preferred shares, voting separately as a class, will be entitled to elect two directors at the next annual or special meeting of Schering-Plough’s shareholders. The right of holders

of preferred shares to elect two directors will continue until dividends in default on the preferred shares have been paid in full or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set aside. During any time that the holders of preferred shares, voting as a class, are entitled to elect two directors, as described in this paragraph, the holders of any series of preferred shares normally entitled to participate with the holders of the common shares in the election of directors shall not be entitled to participate with the holders of the common shares in the election of such directors.

 

For any series of preferred shares that Schering-Plough may issue pursuant to this prospectus, Schering-Plough’s board of directors will determine and the prospectus supplement relating to such series will describe:

 

 

When Schering-Plough issues preferred shares under this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, the shares will be fully paid and non-assessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.

 

Anti-takeover Protections

 

The following discussion summarizes certain provisions of the New Jersey Business Corporation Act, as amended, referred to as the NJBCA, and of Schering-Plough’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws, which may have the effect of prohibiting, raising the costs of, or otherwise impeding, a change of control of Schering-Plough, whether by merger, consolidation or sale of assets or stock (by tender offer or otherwise), or by other methods.

 

Limits on Shareholder Action by Written Consent; Special Meetings

 

Schering-Plough’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws provide that, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred shares then outstanding, any action required or permitted to be taken by Schering-Plough’s shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of shareholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such shareholders unless all of the shareholders entitled to vote on the matter consent in writing. Schering-Plough’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws also provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of more than 50% of the voting power of all of the shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, will be required to amend Schering-Plough’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws with respect to shareholder action by written consent.

Except as otherwise provided by the NJBCA, under Schering-Plough’s by-laws, a special meeting of shareholders may only be called by the Chairman of Schering-Plough’s board of directors, Schering-Plough’s Chief Executive Officer or board of directors and shall be held at such time and such place and for such purpose(s) as stated in the notice of the meeting. No business other than that stated in the notice of meeting may be transacted at any special meeting.

 

The above provisions may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting unless a special meeting is called by the Chairman of Schering-Plough’s board of directors, Chief Executive Officer or board of directors.

 

Corporation’s Best Interest

 

Under the NJBCA, the director of a New Jersey corporation may consider, in discharging his or her duties to the corporation and in determining what he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interest of the corporation, any of the following (in addition to the effects of any action on shareholders): (i) the effects of the action on the corporation’s employees, suppliers, creditors and customers, (ii) the effects of the action on the community in which the corporation operates, and (iii) the long-term as well as the short-term interest of the corporation and its shareholders, including the possibility that these interests may be best served by the continued independence of the corporation. If, on the basis of the foregoing factors, the board of directors determines that any proposal or offer to acquire the corporation is not in the best interest of the corporation, it may reject such proposal or offer, in which event the board of directors will have no duty to remove any obstacles to, or refrain from impeding, such proposal or offer.

 

Required Vote for Authorization of Certain Actions; Anti-Greenmail Provisions

 

Under the NJBCA, the consummation of a merger or consolidation of a New Jersey corporation organized subsequent to January 1, 1969, such as Schering-Plough, requires the approval of such corporation’s board of directors and the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by each of the holders of shares of the corporation entitled to vote thereon and any class or series entitled to vote thereon as a class, unless such corporation is the surviving corporation, and: (i) such corporation’s certificate of incorporation is not amended, (ii) the stockholders of the surviving corporation whose shares were outstanding immediately before the effective date of the merger will hold the same number of shares, with identical designations, preferences, limitations and rights, immediately after the merger or consolidation, as the case may be, and (iii) the number of voting shares and participating shares outstanding after the merger will not exceed by more than 40% the total number of voting or participating shares of the surviving corporation immediately before the merger. Similarly, in the case of a New Jersey corporation organized subsequent to 1969, such as Schering-Plough, a sale of all or substantially all of a corporation’s assets other than in the ordinary course of business, or a voluntary dissolution of a corporation, requires the approval of such corporation’s board of directors and the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by each of the holders of shares of the corporation entitled to vote thereon and any class or series entitled to vote thereon as a class.

 

Schering-Plough’s certificate of incorporation contains an “anti-greenmail” provision pursuant to which Schering-Plough or its subsidiaries may not purchase shares of voting stock from a 5% or greater shareholder at a per share price in excess of the market price unless (a) approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of the amount of voting power of the voting stock equal to the sum of the voting power of such 5% or greater shareholder and a majority of the voting power of the remaining outstanding shares of voting stock, voting together as a single class, or (b) the purchase is made pursuant to an offer made available to all holders of the same class of stock or an open market purchase.

 

No Rights Plan in Effect

 

The preferred share purchase right (commonly known as a “poison pill”) that Schering-Plough declared as a dividend on each share of its common stock on June 24, 1997 expired on July 10, 2007. The Schering-Plough board of directors committed to Schering-Plough’s shareholders that no

new shareholder rights plan will be adopted in the future, unless the plan is submitted to shareholders for approval within 12 months of adoption. This commitment is reflected in the Schering-Plough Corporate Governance Guidelines.

 

Restrictions on Business Combinations with Certain Stockholders

 

The NJBCA provides that no corporation organized under the laws of New Jersey with its principal executive offices or significant operations located in New Jersey (a “resident domestic corporation”) may engage in any “business combination” (as defined in the NJBCA) with any interested stockholder (generally a 10% or greater stockholder) of such corporation for a period of five years following such interested stockholder’s stock acquisition, unless such business combination is approved by the board of directors of such corporation prior to the stock acquisition. A resident domestic corporation, such as Schering-Plough, cannot opt out of the foregoing provisions of the NJBCA.

 

In addition, no resident domestic corporation may engage, at any time, in any business combination with any interested stockholder of such corporation other than: (i) a business combination approved by the board of directors prior to the stock acquisition, (ii) a business combination approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the voting stock not beneficially owned by such interested stockholder at a meeting called for such purpose, or (iii) a business combination in which the interested stockholder pays a formula price designed to ensure that all other stockholders receive at least the highest price per share paid by such interested stockholder.

 

In connection with business combinations with any 10% stockholder, Schering-Plough’s certificate of incorporation contains provisions requiring the approval of more than 50% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Any amendments or repeal of the business combination provisions require the affirmative vote of the holders of more than 50% of the voting power of all of the shares entitled to vote, voting together as a single class.

 

Schering-Plough may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series. The following description summarizes the general terms and provisions of the debt securities that Schering-Plough may offer pursuant to this prospectus. The specific terms relating to any series of debt securities that Schering-Plough may offer will be described in a prospectus supplement. Please read and rely on the prospectus supplement, which includes important information for investors evaluating an investment in a series of Schering-Plough debt securities. Because the terms of specific series of debt securities offered may differ from the general information that Schering-Plough has provided below, you should rely on information in the applicable prospectus supplement that contradicts any information below.

 

As required by federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, the debt securities will be governed by a document called an “indenture”. An indenture is a contract between a financial institution, acting on your behalf as trustee of the debt securities offered, and Schering-Plough. The debt securities will be issued pursuant to an indenture that Schering-Plough will enter into with a trustee. References to the “indenture” in this prospectus are to the indenture, dated November 26, 2003, as amended and restated, between Schering-Plough and The Bank of New York, as trustee, as may be supplemented by any supplemental indenture applicable to your debt securities. The trustee has two main roles. First, subject to some limitations on the extent to which the trustee can act on your behalf, the trustee can enforce your rights against Schering-Plough if Schering-Plough defaults on its obligations under the indenture. Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties for Schering-Plough with respect to the debt securities. Unless otherwise provided in any applicable prospectus supplement, the following section is a summary of the principal terms and provisions that will be included in the indenture. The indenture has been filed as an exhibit incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. If this

summary refers to particular provisions of the indenture, such provisions, including the definitions of terms, are incorporated by reference in this prospectus as part of the summary. Schering-Plough urges you to read the indenture and any supplement thereto because these documents, and not this section or any description of the debt securities in any prospectus supplement, define your rights as a holder of debt securities.

 

In this “Description of Debt Securities” section, “Schering-Plough” refers to Schering-Plough Corporation, excluding its subsidiaries, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.

 

General

 

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt that Schering-Plough may issue under the indenture or otherwise.

 

Under the indenture, Schering-Plough may issue the securities in one or more series. The securities may have the same or various maturities. The securities may be issued at par, at a premium or with original issue discount. Schering-Plough may also reopen a previous issue of securities and issue additional securities of the series.

 

The debt securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement will be Schering-Plough’s direct unsecured obligations. Senior debt securities will rank equally with Schering-Plough’s other unsecured and senior indebtedness. Subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of Schering-Plough’s unsecured and senior indebtedness. See “—Subordination” below. Any of Schering-Plough’s secured indebtedness will rank ahead of the debt securities to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness. Also, Schering-Plough conducts operations primarily through its subsidiaries and substantially all of Schering-Plough’s consolidated assets are held by its subsidiaries. Accordingly, Schering-Plough’s cash flow and Schering-Plough’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt securities will be largely dependent on the earnings of its subsidiaries and the distribution or other payment of these earnings to Schering-Plough in the form of dividends, loans or advances, and repayment of loans and advances from Schering-Plough. Schering-Plough’s subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to pay the amounts which will be due on Schering-Plough’s debt securities or to make any funds available for payment of amounts which will be due on Schering-Plough’s debt securities. Therefore, Schering-Plough’s rights, and the rights of Schering-Plough’s creditors, including the rights of the holders of the debt securities to participate in any distribution of assets of any of Schering-Plough’s subsidiaries, if such subsidiary were to be liquidated or reorganized, is subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors. To the extent that Schering-Plough may be a creditor with recognized claims against its subsidiaries, Schering-Plough’s claims will still be effectively subordinated to any security interest in, or mortgages or other liens on, the assets of the subsidiary that are senior to Schering-Plough.

 

Terms

 

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include, among other terms, some or all of the following:

 

 

Schering-Plough may in the future issue debt securities other than the debt securities described in this prospectus. There is no requirement that any other debt securities be issued under the indenture. Thus, Schering-Plough may issue any other debt securities under other indentures or documentation containing provisions different from those included in the indenture or any series of securities issued pursuant to this prospectus.

 

Events of Default

 

When Schering-Plough uses the term “event of default” in the indenture, here are some examples of what is meant. An event of default occurs if:

 

 

The supplemental indenture or the form of security for a particular series of debt securities may include additional events of default or changes to the events of default described above. The events of default applicable to a particular series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series. A default under Schering-Plough’s other indebtedness will not be a default under the indenture for the debt securities covered by this prospectus, and a default under one series of debt securities will not necessarily be a default under another series. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default (except for defaults that involve Schering-Plough’s failure to pay principal or interest) if it considers such withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.

 

If an event of default with respect to outstanding debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of that series may declare, in a written notice, the principal amount (or specified amount) plus accrued and unpaid interest on all debt securities of that series to be immediately due and payable. If Schering-Plough or a court takes certain actions relating to the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the company, the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest on all debt securities will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or holders of securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, the holders of a majority in principal amount (or specified amount) of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by written notice to Schering-Plough and the trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

 

 

Schering-Plough refers you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of the discount securities upon the occurrence of an event of default.

 

If a default in the performance or breach of the indenture shall have occurred and be continuing, the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding securities of all series, by notice to the trustee, may waive any past event of default or its consequences under the indenture.

 

However, an event of default cannot be waived with respect to any series of securities in the following two circumstances:

 

 

Other than its duties in case of a default, the trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable indemnity. If they provide this reasonable indemnity, the holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of any series of debt securities may, subject to certain limitations, direct the time, method and place for conducting any proceeding or any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any power conferred upon the trustee, for any series of debt securities.

 

Schering-Plough is required to deliver to the trustee an annual statement as to Schering-Plough’s fulfillment of all of its obligations under the indenture.

Defeasance

 

The term “defeasance”, as used in the indenture means discharge from some or all of its obligations under the indenture. If Schering-Plough deposits with the trustee sufficient cash or government securities to pay the principal, any premium, interest and any other sums due on the stated maturity date or a redemption date of the securities of a particular series, then at Schering-Plough’s option:

 

 

If this happens, the holders of the securities of the affected series will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture except for registration of transfer and exchange of debt securities and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated securities. Such holders may look only to such deposited funds or obligations for payment.

 

To exercise the defeasance option, Schering-Plough must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the holders of the securities to recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. Schering-Plough must also deliver any ruling received from or published by the United States Internal Revenue Service if Schering-Plough is discharged from its obligations with respect to the securities.

 

Modification of the Indenture

 

Under the indenture, Schering-Plough’s rights and obligations, as well as the rights of the holders, may be modified if the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modification consent to the modification. However, none of the following modifications will be effective against any holder without its consent:

 

 

In addition, no supplemental indenture shall adversely affect the rights of any holder of senior indebtedness with respect to subordination without the consent of such holder.

 

Subordination

 

The extent to which a particular series of subordinated debt securities may be subordinated to Schering-Plough’s unsecured and senior indebtedness will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for any such series. The indenture may be modified by a supplemental indenture to reflect such subordination provisions.

Form and Denomination of Debt Securities

 

Denomination of Debt Securities

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be denominated in U.S. dollars, in minimum denominations of $1,000 and multiples thereof.

 

Registered Form

 

Schering-Plough may issue the debt securities in registered form. In that case, Schering-Plough may issue the securities either in book-entry form only or in “certificated” form. Schering-Plough will issue registered debt securities in book-entry form only, unless it specifies otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Debt securities issued in book-entry form will be represented by global securities.

 

Bearer Form

 

Schering-Plough also will have the option of issuing debt securities in non-registered form, as bearer securities, if Schering-Plough issues the securities outside the United States to non-U.S. persons. In that case, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the mechanics for holding the bearer securities, including the procedures for receiving payments, for exchanging the bearer securities for registered securities of the same series and for receiving notices. The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe the requirements with respect to Schering-Plough’s maintenance of offices or agencies outside the United States and the applicable U.S. federal tax law requirements.

 

Holders of Registered Debt Securities

 

Book-Entry Holders

 

Schering-Plough will issue registered debt securities in book-entry form only, unless Schering-Plough specifies otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Debt securities held in book-entry form will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee. The depositary or its nominee will hold such global securities on behalf of financial institutions that participate in such depositary’s book-entry system. These participating financial institutions, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the global securities either on their own behalf or on behalf of their customers.

 

Under the indenture, only the person in whose name a debt security is registered is recognized as the holder of that debt security. Consequently, for debt securities issued in global form, Schering-Plough will recognize only the depositary or its nominee as the holder of the debt securities, and Schering-Plough will make all payments on the debt securities to the depositary or its nominee. The depositary will then pass along the payments that it receives to its participants, which in turn will pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners of the debt securities. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers or by law; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the debt securities or the terms of the indenture.

 

As a result, investors will not own debt securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system, or that holds an interest through a participant in the depositary’s book-entry system. As long as the debt securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.

Street Name Holders

 

In the event that Schering-Plough issues debt securities in certificated form, or in the event that a global security is terminated, investors may choose to hold their debt securities either in their own names or in ”street name”. Debt securities held in street name are registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution chosen by the investor, and the investor would hold a beneficial interest in those debt securities through the account that he or she maintains at such bank, broker or other financial institution.

 

For debt securities held in street name, Schering-Plough will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the debt securities are registered as the holders of those debt securities, and Schering-Plough will make all payments on those debt securities to them. These institutions will pass along the payments that they receive from Schering-Plough to their customers who are the beneficial owners pursuant to agreements that they have entered into with such customers or by law; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the debt securities or the terms of the indenture. Investors who hold debt securities in street name will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.

 

Registered Holders

 

Schering-Plough’s obligations, as well as the obligations of the trustee and those of any third parties employed by the trustee or Schering-Plough, run only to the registered holders of the debt securities. Schering-Plough does not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means and who are, therefore, not the registered holders of the debt securities. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a debt security, or has no choice in the matter because Schering-Plough is issuing the debt securities only in global form.

 

For example, once Schering-Plough makes a payment or gives a notice to the registered holder of the debt securities, Schering-Plough has no further responsibility with respect to such payment or notice even if that registered holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, if Schering-Plough wants to obtain the approval of the holders for any purpose (for example, to amend an indenture or to relieve Schering-Plough of the consequences of a default or of Schering-Plough’s obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture), Schering-Plough would seek the approval only from the registered holders, and not the indirect holders, of the debt securities. Whether and how the registered holders contact the indirect holders is up to the registered holders.

 

Notwithstanding the above, references to “you” or “your” in this description of debt securities are to investors who invest in the debt securities being offered by this prospectus, whether they are the registered holders or only indirect holders of the debt securities offered. References to “your debt securities” in this prospectus means the series of debt securities in which you hold a direct or indirect interest.

 

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

 

If you hold debt securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, Schering-Plough urges you to check with that institution to find out:

 

 

 

Global Securities

 

A global security represents one or any other number of individual debt securities. Generally, all debt securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms. Each debt security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that Schering-Plough deposits with and registers in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that Schering-Plough selects. The financial institution that Schering-Plough selects for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless Schering-Plough specifies otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for debt securities that Schering-Plough issues in book-entry form.

 

A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary or its nominee, unless special termination situations arise. Schering-Plough describes those situations below under “—Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated”. As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered holder of all debt securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account either with the depositary or with another institution that has an account with the depositary. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a registered holder of the debt security, but an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

 

Special Considerations for Global Securities

 

As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. The depositary that holds the global security will be considered the registered holder of the debt securities represented by such global security.

 

If debt securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:

 

 

 

Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated

 

In a few special situations described below, a global security will be terminated and interests in the global security will be exchanged for certificates in non-global form, referred to as “certificated” debt securities. After such an exchange, it will be up to the investor as to whether to hold the certificated debt securities directly or in street name. Schering-Plough has described the rights of direct holders and street name holders under “—Holders of Registered Debt Securities” above. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in a global security exchanged on termination of a global security for certificated debt securities to be held directly in their own names.

 

The special situations for termination of a global security are as follows:

 

 

The applicable prospectus supplement may list situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of debt securities covered by such prospectus supplement. If a global security were terminated, only the depositary, and not Schering-Plough or the trustee, would be responsible for deciding the names of the institutions in whose names the debt securities represented by the global security would be registered and, therefore, who would be the registered holders of those debt securities.

 

Form, Exchange and Transfer of Registered Securities

 

If Schering-Plough ceases to issue registered debt securities in global form, it will issue them:

 

 

Holders may exchange their certificated securities for debt securities of smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed.

 

Holders may exchange or transfer their certificated securities at the trustee’s office. Schering-Plough has appointed the trustee to act as its agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders transferring debt securities. Schering-Plough may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them itself.

 

Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their certificated securities, but they may be required to pay any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange will be made only if Schering-Plough’s transfer agent is satisfied with the holders’ proof of legal ownership.

If Schering-Plough has designated additional transfer agents for your debt security, they will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Schering-Plough may appoint additional transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. Schering-Plough may also approve a change in the location of the office through which any transfer agent acts.

 

If any certificated securities of a particular series are redeemable and Schering-Plough redeems less than all the debt securities of that series, Schering-Plough may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day Schering-Plough mails the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. Schering-Plough may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of any certificated securities selected for redemption, except that Schering-Plough will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security that will be partially redeemed.

 

If a registered debt security is issued in global form, only the depositary will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described in this subsection because it will be the sole holder of the debt security.

 

Payment and Paying Agents

 

On each due date for interest payments on the debt securities, Schering-Plough will pay interest to each person shown on the trustee’s records as owner of the debt securities at the close of business on a designated day that is in advance of the due date for interest. Schering-Plough will pay interest to each such person even if such person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. The designated day on which Schering-Plough will determine the owner of the debt security, as shown on the trustee’s records, is also known as the “record date”. The record date will usually be about two weeks in advance of the interest due date.

 

Because Schering-Plough will pay interest on the debt securities to the holders of the debt securities based on ownership as of the applicable record date with respect to any given interest period, and not to the holders of the debt securities on the interest due date (that is, the day that the interest is to be paid), it is up to the holders who are buying and selling the debt securities to work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price for the debt securities. It is common for purchase prices of debt securities to be adjusted so as to prorate the interest on the debt securities fairly between the buyer and the seller based on their respective ownership periods within the applicable interest period.

 

Schering-Plough will make payments on a global security by wire transfer of immediately available funds directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the global security. An indirect holder’s right to those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants, as described under “—Global Securities” above. Any other payments will be made as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

If payment on a debt security is due on a day that is not a business day, Schering-Plough will make such payment on the next succeeding business day. The indenture will provide that such payments will be treated as if they were made on the original due date for payment. A postponement of this kind will not result in a default under any debt security or indenture, and no interest will accrue on the amount of any payment that is postponed in this manner.

 

Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments on their debt securities.

 

Information Concerning the Trustee

 

The trustee, The Bank of New York (BONY), and certain of its affiliates have in the past and currently do provide banking, investment and other services to Schering-Plough. Those services

include acting as a lender under Schering-Plough’s revolving credit agreement; trustee under the indenture, dated as of November 26, 2003, under which Schering-Plough issued $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.3% senior unsecured notes due 2013 and $1.15 billion aggregate principal amount of 6.5% senior unsecured notes due 2033; a transfer agent for Schering-Plough’s 2004 Preferred Stock and its common shares; and providing cash management services. Schering-Plough currently anticipates that BONY may continue to provide similar services in the future.

 

Governing Law

 

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

Schering-Plough may sell the securities covered by this prospectus in any of the following methods:

 

 

Any such dealer or agent, in addition to any underwriter, may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act. Any discounts or commissions received by an underwriter, dealer, remarketing firm or agent on the sale or resale of securities may be considered by the SEC to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

 

Sale Through Underwriters

 

If underwriters are used in the sale of securities, such securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by one or more underwriters acting alone. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such securities if any are purchased by them. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

 

Direct Sales

 

The securities may be sold directly by Schering-Plough. In the case of securities sold directly by Schering-Plough, no underwriters or agents would be involved.

 

Sale Through Agents

 

The securities may be sold through agents designated by Schering-Plough from time to time. Any agents involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, and any commissions payable by Schering-Plough to such agents, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

General Information

 

The terms of the offering of the securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and will include among other things:

 

 

Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be entitled, under agreements entered into with Schering-Plough to indemnification by Schering-Plough against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof.

 

Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for Schering-Plough or Schering-Plough’s subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, all securities offered by this prospectus, other than Schering-Plough’s common shares, which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, will be new issues with no established trading market. Schering-Plough may elect to list any series of securities on an exchange, and in the case of Schering-Plough’s common shares, on any additional exchange, but, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, Schering-Plough shall not be obligated to do so. In addition, underwriters will not be obligated to make a market in any securities. No assurance can be given regarding the activity of trading in, or liquidity of, any securities.

 

Unless otherwise indicated in a supplement to this prospectus, McCarter & English, LLP will pass upon the validity of the securities for Schering-Plough. In addition, Susan Ellen Wolf, Esq., Schering-Plough’s Corporate Secretary, will pass upon certain matters related to this offering. Ms. Wolf is an officer of Schering-Plough and beneficially owns common shares and holds options to purchase additional common shares. Ms. Wolf is eligible to participate in the Schering-Plough Corporation 2006 Stock Incentive Plan and the Schering-Plough Employees’ Saving Plan and may receive benefits under those plans.

 

The consolidated financial statements, the related financial statement schedule, and management’s report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Schering-Plough’s 2006 10-K have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference (which reports (1) express an unqualified opinion on the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule and include an explanatory paragraph regarding Schering-Plough’s adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment”, and SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined

Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans”, (2) express an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment regarding the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and (3) express an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting), and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

With respect to the unaudited interim financial information for the periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, and June 30, 2007 and 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference, Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, have applied limited procedures in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) for a review of such information. However, as stated in their reports included in Schering-Plough’s first and second quarter 10-Q, and incorporated by reference herein, they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their reports on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. Deloitte & Touche LLP are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their reports on the unaudited interim financial information because those reports are not “reports” or a “part” of the registration statement prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Securities Act.

 

The combined financial statements of the OBS Group as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006, have been included herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG Accountants N.V., an independent public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

OBS GROUP

 

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Amounts in millions of euros)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

OBS GROUP

(Amounts in millions of euros)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

OBS GROUP

(Amounts in millions of euros)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

OBS GROUP

(Amounts in millions of euros)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

OBS GROUP

(All amounts in millions of euros unless otherwise stated)

 

Note 1 — Business and Basis of Presentation

 

Business

 

In these combined financial statements, the human healthcare and animal healthcare activities of Akzo Nobel N.V. (“Akzo Nobel”) are together referred to as the “healthcare activities” and references to the “OBS Group” or “Company” mean those operating companies and other subsidiaries of Akzo Nobel that undertook the human and animal healthcare activities during the relevant periods covered by the combined financial statements.

 

The OBS Group is headquartered in Oss, The Netherlands.

 

The human healthcare business, Organon, specializes in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of prescription medicines and products. Its core therapeutic areas of expertise are contraception, fertility, hormone therapy, mental health and anesthesia. Additionally, the Organon business includes Nobilon, a biotechnology company dedicated to exploring opportunities in the field of human vaccines.

 

The animal healthcare business, Intervet, offers a full range of veterinary vaccines and pharmaceuticals for a variety of animal species including poultry, pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, cats, dogs and fish.

 

Following the announcement by Akzo Nobel that it intends to separate its healthcare activities from Akzo Nobel, Akzo Nobel incorporated Organon BioSciences N.V. (“OBS N.V.”) on September 1, 2006 as a public company with limited liability (“naamloze vennootschap”) incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands with an authorized share capital of EUR 225 thousand and an issued share capital of EUR 45 thousand.

 

On September 30, 2006 Akzo Nobel contributed to OBS N.V., through a contribution in kind, the shares of the two subholding companies, Organon BioSciences International B.V. and Organon BioSciences Nederland B.V., in exchange for 24,955,000 ordinary shares of OBS N.V. with a nominal value of EUR 1.00 (one euro) per share. As per the date of this contribution, OBS N.V. had an authorized share capital of EUR 125 million and an issued share capital of EUR 25 million.

 

These combined financial statements were authorized on July 30, 2007 by the Board of Management of the OBS N.V.

 

OBS GROUP

 

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(All amounts in millions of euros unless otherwise stated)

Basis of Presentation

 

These combined financial statements reflect all of the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and cash flows of the OBS Group. The significant legal entities forming part of the OBS Group are as follows:

 

 

OBS GROUP

 

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(All amounts in millions of euros unless otherwise stated)

 

These combined financial statements exclude the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows of Akzo Nobel legal entities (and divisions thereof) not relating to the healthcare activities.

 

During 2006, the OBS Group divested Crina S.A., one of the remaining feed additives businesses held in the portfolio. During 2005, the OBS Group divested significant parts of its feed additives business to Biovet. In 2004, the OBS Group divested Dr. Bommeli AG, a business offering diagnostic reagents and testing kits for the control of livestock diseases. These combined financial statements reflect the revenues, expenses, and cash flows of these businesses up to the date of divestment.

 

The OBS Group has historically operated as an integrated part of Akzo Nobel and within the Akzo Nobel infrastructure. However, these combined financial statements have been prepared on a “carve-out” basis from the consolidated financial statements of Akzo Nobel to represent the financial position and performance of the OBS Group as if the OBS Group had existed as of and during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, and as if International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) 27, Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements, has been applied throughout. The combined financial statements included herein may not necessarily be indicative of the OBS Group’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows had the OBS Group operated as a separate entity during the periods presented or for future periods.

 

As described above, these combined financial statements reflect the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and cash flows of the OBS Group. Under the “carve-out” basis of presentation, these combined financial statements include allocations for various expenses, including corporate administrative expenses, as well as an allocation of certain assets and liabilities historically maintained by Akzo Nobel, but not recorded in the accounts of the OBS Group. These include, among other things, corporate overhead, interest expense, certain deferred and current income tax assets and liabilities, liabilities for certain compensation plans and contingent liabilities. The various allocation methodologies for corporate expenses, insurance, interest expense, share based payments, and pension and postretirement expenses are discussed in Notes 3, 3, 7, 20, and 21, respectively. Management of the OBS Group considers that such allocations have been made on a reasonable basis, but may not necessarily be indicative of the costs that would have been incurred if the OBS Group had operated on a stand-alone basis.

 

Akzo Nobel uses a centralized approach to manage cash and to finance many of its global operations. As a result, certain debt and cash and cash equivalents maintained at Akzo Nobel are not included in the accompanying combined financial statements. The combined statements of income include an allocation of Akzo Nobel’s interest expense as discussed in Note 7. The OBS Group’s financing requirements are represented by cash transactions with Akzo Nobel and are reflected in invested equity in the combined balance sheets.

 

OBS GROUP

 

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(All amounts in millions of euros unless otherwise stated)

The invested equity balance in these combined financial statements of the OBS Group constitutes Akzo Nobel’s investment in the OBS Group and represents the excess of total assets over total liabilities. Invested equity includes the effects of carve-out allocations from Akzo Nobel and the funding of the OBS Group through the in-house banking cash pooling arrangements and loans to and from related parties with Akzo Nobel, and the OBS Group’s cumulative net income, including income directly recognized in equity. As a consequence, invested equity does not constitute any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets after deducting liabilities to which reference is made in IAS 32, Financial Statements: Disclosure and Presentation.

 

For those OBS Group companies located in countries where they were included in the tax grouping of other Akzo Nobel entities within the respective entity’s tax jurisdiction, the current tax payable or receivable of these OBS Group companies represents the income tax amount to be paid to or to be received from the country tax leading holding company of Akzo Nobel. For the purpose of these combined financial statements it is assumed that only the current year is outstanding.

 

The combined statements of cash flows have been prepared under the indirect method in accordance with the requirements of IAS 7, Cash Flow Statements. The combined statements of cash flows exclude currency translation differences, which arise as a result of translating the assets and liabilities of non-euro companies to euros at year-end exchange rates (except for those arising on cash and cash equivalents) and have been adjusted for non-cash transactions.

 

Akzo Nobel and the OBS Group have identified certain issues and areas that, in preparation of and following the separation, require mutually agreeable arrangements between them. These issues and areas have been included in a separation agreement, which was signed on February 28, 2007. Note 31 provides further explanation on the separation agreement.

 

As a result of the foregoing, among other things, the combined financial statements may not necessarily be indicative of the OBS Group’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows had the OBS Group operated on a separate stand-alone basis during the periods presented, or for future periods. Furthermore, the combined financial statements do not reflect the financial impact of the actual separation of the OBS Group from Akzo Nobel.

 

These combined financial statements of the OBS Group have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (“IFRS”). IFRS as adopted by the OBS Group does not differ from IFRS as provided by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). The accounting policies as set out below have been applied consistently in preparing the combined financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, with the exception of IAS 32, Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation and IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement for financial instruments, which have been applied as from January 1, 2005. Management has determined that the effect of not applying IAS 32 and IAS 39 prior to January 1, 2005 is immaterial.

 

These combined financial statements are presented in euro, which is the functional currency of OBS N.V. and the OBS Group. All amounts are in millions of euros except headcount figures or unless otherwise stated. IFRS as applied by the OBS Group differs in certain significant respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). The effects of the application of US GAAP are discussed in Note 32.

 

 

A summary of the significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the accompanying combined financial statements is presented below.

 

OBS GROUP

 

NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(All amounts in millions of euros unless otherwise stated)

Principles of combination

 

These combined financial statements include the accounts of the OBS Group’s operations controlled by Akzo Nobel and have been combined as if together for all periods presented.

 

All significant intercompany balances and transactions with combined entities have been eliminated. However, intercompany balances and transactions with Akzo Nobel, excluding the OBS Group, have not been eliminated, but are presented as balances and transactions with related parties.