U.S. drugmaker Merck & Co (MRK.N) will hang on to the bulk of international sales from two lucrative arthritis medicines after resolving a high-stakes fight with Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) stemming from Merck's merger with Schering-Plough. While ceding some rights and making other concessions, Merck retains crucial rights to the drugs Remicade and Simponi in Europe and other territories that represent 70 percent of the $2.8 billion in sales that were in dispute. Merck shares rose 2.6 percent after the companies announced their agreement on Friday, nearly two years after J&J started arbitration proceedings. A decision on the dispute had been expected at any time. J&J shares rose 1.1 percent, as analysts said the deal was also positive, though more moderately, for the diversified healthcare manufacturer.
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