RNS Number:8423O
Office of Fair Trading
20 August 2003

Withdrawal of Merger Notice:

Anticipated acquisition by Ivax International GmbH of 3M Company's distribution
business for certain asthma products

Ivax International GmbH withdrew its merger notice in relation to the above
merger on 18 August 2003. The OFT will continue to consider the merger under the
procedure for informal submissions.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
PNMNKCKKABKDAFD