ScanSoft, Inc. and Nuance Communications, Inc. today announced that their respective shareholders have voted in favor of the proposed merger of Nuance with ScanSoft, and all other proposals, at their respective special meetings. Of the outstanding ScanSoft shares voted, approximately 98 percent were voted in favor of the transaction, and of the outstanding Nuance shares voted, approximately 99 percent were voted in favor of the transaction.

Upon closing the transaction, Nuance shareholders will receive 0.77 shares of ScanSoft common stock, and $2.20 of cash, for each share of Nuance common stock that they own. The transaction is expected to close in September, subject to normal closing conditions and regulatory approval.

The combination of ScanSoft and Nuance brings together the industry's most comprehensive portfolio of speech applications, technologies and expertise, which will enable customers to effectively deploy innovative speech-based solutions. The combined organization will have the technical resources and intellectual property required to develop new and innovative speech solutions that deliver enhanced value to customers. With leading technology, a premier partner network and an organization dedicated to speech, the company will be able to compete more effectively in new and expanding markets and provide value for its most important stakeholders - its customers, partners, investors and employees.