Davis Polk advised Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Goldman Sachs Bank USA as joint bookrunners and joint lead arrangers and Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent, in connection with a $5.5 billion senior bridge term loan credit facility for McKesson Corporation. The financing is being provided on a “funds certain” basis in accordance with German takeover rules to support McKesson’s takeover offer for Celesio AG.

McKesson Corporation, headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a Fortune 14 company that delivers pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and health care information technology. Celesio AG, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, is a leading international provider of logistics and services in the pharmaceutical and health care sectors.

 The Davis Polk financing team included partner Jason Kyrwood, associates Vivian Y. Wong, Darren Mahone and Sanders T. Witkow and law clerk Kwesi Larbi-Siaw. The tax team included partner Kathleen L. Ferrell and associate Sam R. Van Peperstraete. Counsel Jeanine P. McGuinness advised on various regulatory matters. Counsel Ann Becchina provided ERISA advice. Members of the Davis Polk team are based in the New York and Washington DC offices.