AstraZeneca PLC (AstraZeneca) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MedImmune, Inc. (MedImmune), in an all-cash transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, which has unanimous MedImmune Board support, AstraZeneca will acquire all of the fully diluted shares of MedImmune common stock at a price of $58 per share, for a total consideration of approximately $15.6 billion (including approximately $340m net cash).
The acquisition of MedImmune significantly accelerates AstraZeneca's biologics strategy. The combination of MedImmune with AstraZeneca's wholly-owned subsidiary Cambridge Antibody Technology (CAT) will create a world-class, fully integrated biologics and vaccines business within the AstraZeneca Group with critical mass in research, development, regulatory, manufacturing and global sales and marketing reach, an AstraZeneca press release said.
MedImmune is a world-leading, profitable, biotechnology company with a record of proven success with revenue in 2006 of $1.3bn, profit before tax of $75m and gross assets of $3.0bn.
The acquisition extends AstraZeneca's R&D science base to allow it to address novel drug targets through 3 key technological approaches: small molecules, biologics and, for the first time, vaccines. Overall, the combination of MedImmune with AstraZeneca's existing capabilities will be capable of delivering a greater number of new biologic products to bring benefit to patients in AstraZeneca's prioritised disease areas. The deal is expected to close in June 2007.
Through the acquisition AstraZeneca is tipped to get:
R&D capability
o Expands and diversifies AstraZeneca's science base by establishing an international platform capable of delivering a greater flow of new medicines in AstraZeneca's prioritised disease areas, embracing small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, next generation biologics and vaccines
o Natural fit between CAT and MedImmune
o Complementary with existing AstraZeneca therapeutic area strengths in Oncology, Infection and Respiratory & Inflammation
o Provides entry into vaccines; through proprietary live attenuated vaccines capability
o Brings significant regulatory experience in making Biologics License Applications
o Enhanced biologics capability positions AstraZeneca as a more compelling licensing partner, improving AstraZeneca's externalisation position
Manufacturing:
o MedImmune is a leader in protein engineering and biologics manufacturing, with a production capacity of over 30,000L planned by 2010 and world leading cell line productivity levels. Through further modest investment, capacity could be increased to over 60,000L. This would secure production requirements for the long-term and avoid the need for major near-term 'green-field' manufacturing investment by AstraZeneca to support its biologics strategy
Pipeline:
o Adds 2 late-stage assets: the next generation follow-on to 'Synagis', 'Numax' and refrigerated formulation 'FluMist' with an anticipated US launch for 2007-2008 influenza season
o Increases the proportion of biologics in AstraZeneca's pipeline from 7 percent to 27 percent and enlarges the total pipeline by 45 projects to 163 projects
o Diversifies and expands R&D capability to deliver a greater flow of new biologic products
Financial benefits:
o Synergies from the acquisition of MedImmune and from related AstraZeneca activities are expected to be towards $500m per annum by 2009
o The acquisition is expected to be cash earnings enhancing in 2009
o The acquisition will be fully funded in cash, bringing improved financial efficiency through balance sheet leverage. Previously announced $4bn share buyback programme for 2007 unchanged
o Addition of attractive marketed products including 'Synagis' and 'FluMist' to AstraZeneca's portfolio adds $1.2bn in sales. Consensus sales growth for this portfolio is forecast at 12% CAGR to 2010
o Provides AstraZeneca with several other substantial assets, including a royalty stream on the sales of the HPV vaccines with estimated consensus peak sales of $5.5bn, potential milestones and royalties on MedImmune's other licensed products and $1.5bn cash, including $89.4m relating to MedImmune Ventures investments at book value
People:
o Strong desire to retain employees and maintain culture, with emphasis on retaining key talent and critical skills
o One-time retention grant for employees
o David M. Mott, the Chief Executive Officer and President of MedImmune, and James F. Young, Ph.D., the President, Research and Development of MedImmune, have committed to remain with MedImmune and it is expected that other members of MedImmune's senior management will stay with the company following the closing
o David M. Mott will take a leadership role within AstraZeneca
Commenting on the Offer, David Brennan, Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca, said: "This acquisition represents a transformational step to deliver our biologics strategy sooner than anticipated. It creates a leading fully integrated biologics and vaccines business with critical mass and enhances AstraZeneca's R&D science base through which we will deliver a stronger product pipeline. MedImmune adds an exciting existing pipeline, including 2 late-stage products, great expertise in biologic drug development and state of the art manufacturing facilities. We look forward to welcoming MedImmune's employees into AstraZeneca and are excited by the potential to create significant value for all our shareholders, employees and patients that this acquisition brings." David M. Mott, CEO and President of MedImmune, said:
"After conducting a full and open process, whereby we evaluated potential interest in the value we have built over our 19 year history, we are very pleased to become a part of AstraZeneca. We believe that this transaction is in the best interest of all parties, including shareholders, employees and ultimately patients. The potential to harness the combined skills and capabilities of MedImmune, AstraZeneca and CAT and take our combined world class biologics capabilities to the next level, is very exciting and a challenge to which I am personally committed."
The acquisition is structured as an all cash tender offer for all outstanding shares of MedImmune common stock followed by a merger in which each remaining un-tendered share of MedImmune would be converted into the same $58 cash per share price paid in the tender offer. The acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, including the tender of a majority of the outstanding MedImmune shares on a fully-diluted basis and the expiration or earlier termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period and other regulatory approvals. The tender offer will be commenced within 10 working days and is expected to close in June 2007, unless extended. The tender offer is not subject to a financing contingency.
The acquisition price represents a premium of approximately 53.3% to MedImmune's closing share price of $37.84 on 11th April, 2007, this being the last business day prior to MedImmune's announcement to explore strategic alternatives. The transaction has been unanimously recommended by the Board of Directors of MedImmune. The acquisition will be effected pursuant to a merger agreement. The merger agreement contains certain termination rights for each of AstraZeneca and MedImmune and further provides that, upon termination of the merger agreement under specified circumstances, MedImmune may be required to pay AstraZeneca a termination fee of $450 million.
The total consideration for the acquisition of MedImmune amounts to approximately $15 billion in cash. AstraZeneca will draw from a committed banking facility in the amount of $15 billion to provide the initial financing for the acquisition.