Alkermes, Inc., Waltham, Mass. and Elan Corporation, plc Dublin, Ireland, announced the execution of a definitive agreement under which Alkermes will merge with Elan Drug Technologies (EDT), in a cash and stock transaction currently valued at approximately $960 million. Alkermes and EDT will be combined under a new holding company incorporated in Ireland. This newly created company will be named Alkermes plc.
The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to cash earnings and accelerates Alkermes’ path to building a sustainably profitable biopharmaceutical company with expertise in developing treatments for central nervous system (CNS) diseases and a broad, diversified portfolio of products and pipeline based on proprietary science and technologies. Alkermes plc will have diverse revenue streams from 25 commercialized products, with future near-term growth expected to be driven by five major products: RISPERDAL CONSTA, INVEGA SUSTENNA, AMPYRA, VIVITROL and BYDUREON. The combined company is expected to have growing product, royalty and manufacturing revenues in excess of $450 million annually and resources to prudently invest in an innovative pipeline of proprietary drugs.
“The merger will be financially transformative and create a profitable, global biopharmaceutical company with a diversified CNS product portfolio and a strong foundation for growth,” stated Richard Pops, Chief Executive Officer of Alkermes. “Both companies have a proven track record as innovators. This merger will bring the scale and resources for strategic and balanced investment across the whole product continuum, from R&D innovation to clinical development, to world-class manufacturing and commercial expansion. We’re looking forward to working with the EDT team to accelerate growth and to create value for our shareholders and the patients we serve.”
Kelly Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Elan plc commented that “upon closing, this transaction aggressively advances a number of long-standing strategic and financial objectives for Elan. Namely, it enables us to reduce the debt on our balance sheet and further improve our capital structure, increases operating leverage, allows for additional focus and continued disciplined investment in a broad array of opportunities within the neurology space from a scientific, clinical and product point of view and lastly, provides Elan shareholders with the opportunity to realize further value – over time – from the equity position in Alkermes plc.”
“The combination of Alkermes and EDT is a strong strategic fit at the right time when both businesses are strong and positioned for growth. With EDT’s two recently approved drugs, INVEGA SUSTENNA and AMPYRA, driving revenue growth, the EDT business is an ideal complement to Alkermes’ portfolio of approved and development-stage drugs,” stated Shane Cooke, Executive Vice President and Head of EDT. “This combination creates opportunities for our employees and provides a platform for future growth.”
In connection with the transaction, which was approved by the boards of Elan and Alkermes, at closing, Elan will receive $500 million in cash and 31.9 million ordinary shares of Alkermes plc common stock. Alkermes and Elan will enter into a shareholder agreement that, among other things, contains a lockup, standstill and voting agreement for Elan’s shares of Alkermes plc.
Existing shareholders of Alkermes, Inc. will receive one ordinary share of Alkermes plc in exchange for each share of Alkermes, Inc. they own at the time of the merger. Alkermes plc shares will be registered in the U.S. and are expected to trade on the NASDAQ exchange. The transaction is expected to be taxable to existing Alkermes, Inc. shareholders. Alkermes has obtained a commitment from Morgan Stanley & Co. and HSBC to provide up to $450 million of term loans to finance the transaction.
Richard Pops, currently Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alkermes, will serve as Alkermes plc’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Shane Cooke, currently Executive Vice President and Head of EDT, will join Alkermes plc as President. Alkermes plc’s board will consist of members of the current board of Alkermes, Inc. Elan has the right to appoint one independent director to the board of Alkermes plc, contingent upon Elan’s maintenance of at least 10% ownership in Alkermes plc.
The transaction is subject to approval by Alkermes’ stockholders and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, including antitrust approvals in the U.S. The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of calendar 2011.
Release Date: May 9, 2011
Source: Alkermes, Inc. and Elan Drug Technologies