Astellas Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire Audentes Therapeutics
- Complementary capabilities and resources of the two organizations create an industry-leading gene therapy company
- Audentes to operate as an independent subsidiary, with access to the global scientific and development resources of Astellas to accelerate product development and manufacturing expansion for the combined entity
- Acquisition price of
- Transaction expected to be consummated in the first calendar quarter of 2020
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“Recent scientific and technological advances in genetic medicine have advanced the potential to deliver unprecedented and sustained value to patients, and even to curing diseases with a single intervention,” said
“We are very pleased to enter into this merger agreement with Astellas,” stated
The acquisition of Audentes represents a key step in the expansion of the Astellas Focus Area approach, under which Astellas strives to create innovative medicines for diseases with high unmet medical needs by identifying unique combinations of biology and therapeutic modality/technology based on emerging science. In addition to the four Primary Focus Areas in which Astellas currently prioritizes its investment, with the acquisition of Audentes, the company is adding a fifth Primary Focus Area in Genetic Regulation, under which gene therapy will be a key driver of the company’s future growth.
Strategic Significance of the Acquisition
- Accesses the near-term growth opportunity of AT132, in development for the treatment of XLMTM, a serious, life-threatening, rare neuromuscular disease that is characterized by extreme muscle weakness, respiratory failure and early death.
- Accelerates the development of a robust pipeline of potentially best-in-class genetic medicines for rare neuromuscular diseases, by combining Astellas’ scientific capabilities and global resources with Audentes’ AAV gene therapy technology platform, in-house large-scale cGMP manufacturing and neuromuscular development expertise.
- Creates the opportunity for additional gene therapy partnerships and pipeline expansion through leveraging Audentes’ manufacturing capabilities and its valued relationships with patient groups, academic collaborators and scientific advisors.
Transaction Details
Under the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both Astellas and Audentes, Astellas will acquire Audentes through
Financial Details and Closing Conditions
Consummation of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including US antitrust clearance and the tender of a majority of Audentes’ outstanding shares of common stock. The offer price represents a premium of 110% to Audentes’ closing share price of
Astellas is still reviewing the impact of a consummation of the transaction on its financial results for the fiscal year ending
About
About
Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains “forward-looking statements” relating to the acquisition of Audentes by Astellas. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the ability of Audentes and Astellas to complete the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the parties’ ability to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the offer contemplated thereby and the other conditions set forth in the merger agreement, statements about the expected timetable for completing the transaction, Astellas’ and Audentes’ beliefs and expectations and statements about the benefits sought to be achieved in Astellas’ proposed acquisition of Audentes, the potential effects of the acquisition on both Astellas and Audentes, the possibility of any termination of the merger agreement, as well as the expected benefits and success of Audentes’ product candidates, the timing and nature of regulatory filings for Audentes’ product candidates, the timing of Audentes’ presentation of non-clinical data and the timing and nature of Audentes’ preclinical studies, clinical trials and manufacturing activities. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by terminology such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “should”, “predict”, “goal”, “strategy”, “potentially,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “expect,” “seek” and similar expressions and variations thereof. These words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Astellas and Audentes have based these forward-looking statements on current expectations and projections about future events and trends that they believe may affect the financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs of Astellas and Audentes, but there can be no guarantee that such expectations and projections will prove accurate in the future.
All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from current expectations because of risks associated with uncertainties as to the timing of the offer and the subsequent merger; uncertainties as to how many of Audentes’ stockholders will tender their shares in the offer; the risk that competing offers or acquisition proposals will be made; the possibility that various conditions to the consummation of the merger and the offer contemplated thereby may not be satisfied or waived; the effects of disruption from the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement on Audentes’ business and the fact that the announcement and pendency of the transactions may make it more difficult to establish or maintain relationships with employees, suppliers and other business partners; and the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with the offer or the merger may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability. Moreover, Astellas and Audentes operate in very competitive and rapidly changing environments, and new risks emerge from time to time. Although Astellas and Audentes believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, they cannot guarantee future events, results, actions, levels of activity, performance or achievements, business and market conditions, the timing and results of biotechnology development and potential regulatory approval and whether the conditions to the closing of the proposed transaction are satisfied on the expected timetable or at all. Forward-looking statements are also subject to risks and uncertainties pertaining to the business of Audentes, including those set forth in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of Audentes’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
Important Additional Information
The tender offer for the outstanding shares of common stock of Audentes has not yet commenced. This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell shares of Audentes common stock, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials that Astellas and its acquisition subsidiary will file with the
AUDENTES’ STOCKHOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE SCHEDULE TO AND THE SCHEDULE 14D-9 CAREFULLY, AS EACH MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BEFORE THEY MAKE ANY DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND THE PARTIES THERETO, AS WELL AS IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT HOLDERS OF SHARES OF AUDENTES’ COMMON STOCK SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION REGARDING TENDERING THEIR SHARES.
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Source:
Astellas Pharma Inc.
Corporate Communications
TEL: +81-3-3244-3201 FAX: +81-3-5201-7473
Audentes Therapeutics, Inc.
Investors Contact:
Andrew Chang
TEL: +1-415-818-1033 Email: achang@audentestx.com
Media Contact:
Sarah Spencer
TEL: +1-415-957-2020 Email: sspencer@audentestx.com
