WaferGen Bio-systems, Inc. (WaferGen), a publicly held genomics technology company, and Takara Bio USA Holdings, Inc. (TBUSH), have entered into a merger agreement pursuant to which TBUSH will acquire WaferGen.  

TBUSH is a wholly owned subsidiary of Takara Bio Inc., a leading global biotechnology and life science company (Takara Bio). Takara Bio USA, Inc. (TBUSA, formerly known as Clontech Laboratories, Inc.) is a wholly owned subsidiary of TBUSH and is a guarantor under the merger agreement.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, TBUSH will acquire WaferGen for an aggregate cash purchase price that will be based on a multiple of WaferGen's 2016 calendar revenue and capped at $50.0 million, subject to the potential adjustments described below. The multiple will range between 1.0 times up to 3.5 times WaferGen's full year 2016 revenue.  If revenues exceed $9.0 million the multiple will be 3.5.  The aggregate purchase price as so determined will be used to pay for all outstanding securities of WaferGen, including options and warrants and other securities as well as outstanding shares.  The merger is expected to close after completion of WaferGen's audited financial statements in February or March of 2017, subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement.


Merger highlights: Adds ICELL8 Single-Cell System, Smart Chip PCR and Apollo 324 platforms to TBUSA's global reagent product mix;  Couples WaferGen's high throughput ICELL8 Single-Cell System, introduced in Q4 2015, with TBUSA's single-cell reagents, which will provide best in class solutions for single-cell researchers worldwide; Expands the access of WaferGen technology platforms to the global genomics market.

"WaferGen's technologies and broad array of rapidly growing product offerings are providing a powerful set of tools for biological analysis at the molecular and single-cell level in the life sciences, pharmaceutical, and clinical laboratory industries," said Rollie Carlson, president and CEO of WaferGen.  "I'm confident that through this merger we will cement a leadership position in the genomics research market and our combined solutions will accelerate breakthrough scientific and medical discoveries worldwide."

"The combination of TBUSA's RNA-seq and T Cell Receptor (TCR) profiling technologies with WaferGen's ICELL8 platform for isolation and processing of single cells will significantly expand our offering in the fast-growing single-cell and immuno-sequencing markets, and give customers greater access to these products through our global and commercial reach," said Carol Lou, president of TBUSA. "WaferGen's technologies are highly complementary to our reagent portfolio and the combination presents new opportunities for us in genetic analysis including clinical and applied markets."

The WaferGen acquisition will allow Takara Bio to augment and expand its worldwide commercial offerings in transcriptomics and create new market opportunities in other areas of genomics.  Takara Bio provides a wide range of life science products and services under the Takara, Clontech, and Cellartis brands that assist discovery, translational and clinical scientists in the advancement of their work.

Key transaction terms: Pursuant to the merger agreement, at the effective time of the merger, WaferGen's outstanding shares of Common Stock and Series 2 Convertible Preferred Stock will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to the Aggregate Consideration (determined pursuant to the merger agreement) divided by the aggregate amount of shares of WaferGen Common Stock, calculated on a fully diluted basis, taking into account the conversion or exercise of Preferred Stock, stock options and warrants that are "in the money," restricted stock units (RSUs) and any other shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to derivative securities of WaferGen.

For purposes of determining the amount per share to be paid in connection with the merger, an assumed amount, determined solely for purposes of such calculation (the "Aggregate Consideration"), shall be determined pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of the merger agreement, summarized as follows:

First, an amount (the "Revenue Multiple Amount") based upon WaferGen's consolidated revenues for the year ending December 31, 2016 (the "2016 Revenue") determined by multiplying the 2016 Revenue by (i) 1.0, if the 2016 Revenue is less than $3.0 million, (ii) 2.0, if the 2016 Revenue is equal to or greater than $3.0 million and less than $6.0 million, (iii) 2.5, if the 2016 Revenue is equal to or greater than $6.0 million and less than $9.0 million, or (iv) 3.5, if the 2016 Revenue is equal to or greater than $9.0 million. The Revenue Multiple Amount is capped at $50.0 million;

Second, the Aggregate Consideration shall be reduced by any amounts paid to WaferGen under the Deposit Agreement (described below) that have not been returned to TBUSH in accordance with the Deposit Agreement and the merger agreement;

Third, the Aggregate Consideration shall be reduced by an amount equal to (1) the increase, if any, in Indebtedness (as such term is defined in the merger agreement), plus (2) the increase, if any, in Certain Closing Related Costs (as such term is defined in the merger agreement) (including amounts payable pursuant to severance, retirement, termination or change of control provisions) plus (3) the increase, if any, in bonus payment obligations, in each case comparing the amount of such obligations at closing compared to the current amount of such obligations;

Fourth, the Aggregate Consideration shall be reduced by the aggregate amount of certain Transaction Fees (as such term is defined in the merger agreement) paid by Takara Bio on behalf of WaferGen or otherwise not paid as of the effective time of the merger;

Fifth, the Aggregate Consideration shall be reduced, to the extent applicable, by the aggregate amount of any unpaid costs incurred in connection with any issuance by the Company of debt or equity securities after the date of the merger agreement.

To arrive at the amount per share to be paid in connection with the merger, an amount equal to (i) the aggregate exercise price of all "in the money" stock options plus (ii) the difference between the aggregate maximum exercise price of all "in the money" warrants and the aggregate amount potentially payable in respect of certain "BSV" warrants will be added to the Aggregate Consideration.  That sum will then be divided by the aggregate amount of shares of Common Stock, calculated on a fully diluted basis, taking into account the conversion or exercise of Preferred Stock, stock options and warrants that are "in the money," RSUs and any other shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to any other outstanding derivative securities of the Company.  The per share amount received by holders of Preferred Stock will be based on the number of shares of Common Stock into which a share of Preferred Stock is convertible.

Concurrently with the execution of the merger agreement, WaferGen and TBUSH entered into a Deposit Agreement pursuant to which, following receipt of WaferGen stockholder approval of the merger agreement, TBUSH will pay to WaferGen (1) $2.5 million and (2) after January 1, 2017 and on or before January 17, 2017, an additional $2.5 million (collectively, the "Deposit Amount").  Each payment of the Deposit Amount is conditioned on WaferGen's remaining in compliance with the merger agreement and certain other conditions set forth in the Deposit Agreement.  In the event that the merger agreement is terminated, unless such termination is due to TBUSH's breach, WaferGen must return to TBUSH the amount of the Deposit Amount. WaferGen also has the right to return all or any portion of the Deposit Amount prior to the date ten business days prior to the closing of the merger.

The transaction is subject to closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement including, among other things, approval by WaferGen's stockholders, continuous maintenance by WaferGen of its Nasdaq listing and completion of WaferGen's 2016 audit.

Torreya Partners acted as financial advisor to WaferGen. GCA Savvian acted as financial advisor to Takara Bio.  Morrison & Foerster LLP acted as legal counsel to Takara Bio while K&L Gates LLP acted as legal counsel for WaferGen.

WaferGen Bio-systems, Inc. is a biotechnology company that offers innovative genomic technology solutions for single-cell analysis and clinical research.