OCTOBER 02 2013
The public tender offer (öffentliches Kaufangebot) (the «Tender Offer» or «Offer») described in this media release will not be made, directly or indirectly, in any country or jurisdiction, in which the Offer would be illegal or would otherwise violate any applicable law or ordinance, or which would require Pharma Strategy Partners GmbH («Pharma Strategy Partners» or the «Offeror») to change the terms or conditions of the Offer in any way, to submit any additional filing to, or to perform any additional action in relation to, any governmental, regulatory or legal authority. It is not intended to extend the Offer to any such country or jurisdiction. Documents relating to the Offer must not be distributed in or sent to any such countries or jurisdictions. Any such documents must not be used for the purpose of soliciting the sale or purchase of securities of Acino by any person or entity resident or incorporated in any such country or jurisdiction.
NEWS RELEASE - PRESSEMITTEILUNG
Avista Capital Partners and Nordic Capital to launch a joint public tender offer to acquire Acino
- Offer price of CHF 115.00 represents a 33% premium to the closing share price on October 1, 2013
- New investors ready to contribute to the company's long-term growth strategy
- Acino gains access to financial funds to pursue its business expansion
- Board of Acino Holding AG unanimously supports tender offer
- Shares intended to be delisted from SIX Swiss Exchange after the offer
Aesch, October 2, 2013, 06.30 hrs - Acino Holding AG ("Acino") (SIX: ACIN) announced today that Avista Capital Partners ("Avista") and Nordic Capital are jointly launching a public tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Acino for a cash price of CHF 115.00 per share. Under the new ownership Acino will be in a position to further develop its growth strategy. Subject to the completion of the tender offer, the shares of Acino Holding AG are intended to be delisted from the SIX Swiss Exchange.
Offer price represents a 33%
premium
Under the terms of the tender offer, which is expected to commence
on October 21, 2013, Pharma Strategy Partners GmbH, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Avista and Nordic Capital, offers to purchase all
outstanding shares of Acino for an offer price of CHF 115.00 in
cash per share, corresponding to an offer value for all shares of
Acino of approximately CHF 398 million. This represents a 33%
premium over Acino's closing share price on October 1, 2013, the
last trading day prior to the pre-announcement of the offer, and a
53% premium to the volume weighted average price during the last 60
trading days prior to preannouncement of the
offer.
Proposed transaction paves the way for a
successful implementation of Acino's growth strategy
In recent years, Acino has developed its
business from a Central European pharmaceutical supplier into a
diversified pharmaceutical company with a differentiated portfolio
of products and services, distinct customer groups, and worldwide
operations. The company's growth strategy is centered around its
core competence in advanced drug delivery, as a pivotal value
driver, and its expanding presence in the emerging markets. The
Board of Directors and Management of Acino are convinced that
substantial financial resources are required to further exploit the
potential of the company's in-house innovation, drive sales growth,
support profit improvements, and successfully strengthen its
competitive position.
New investors to support the company's
long-term growth strategy
Avista and Nordic Capital believe that
significant opportunities exist to further support the development
of Acino under private ownership. The investors are prepared to
commit substantial capital as well as utilize their experienced
global healthcare network to further expand upon Acino's growth
strategy and in order to fully capitalize on the company's future
opportunities from its Swiss home base. Additionally, the investors
expressed their intention for the company to continue operating its
main sites in Switzerland and Germany, in partnership with the
management and employees of Acino.
Subject to completion of the transaction, Dr. Håkan Björklund is expected to be nominated as the new Chairman of the Board of Acino. Dr. Björklund has many years of international experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He is Chairman of Lundbeck, Valby (Denmark), and was CEO of Nycomed from 1999 to 2011 under the ownership of Nordic Capital, Avista, and other institutional shareholders.
Dr. Björklund commented: "Having followed Acino for quite some time, we are convinced that the company provides an ideal platform for organic growth and add-on acquisitions. Avista and Nordic Capital have the expertise and the capital to contribute to a long-term growth strategy. We are committed to providing the resources needed to develop Acino into an international specialty pharmaceutical business with a significant presence in attractive markets and product lines."
Acino's Board of Directors supports the
tender offer
The Board of Directors of Acino has
unanimously resolved to support the tender offer by
Avista and Nordic Capital. The board noted that Avista
and Nordic Capital have a strong track
record of highly successful investments in the global healthcare
sector and are committed to contributing to Acino's long-term
growth strategy.
Luzi A. von Bidder, Acino's Chairman stated: "We are excited about this transaction as it combines compelling value to our shareholders with a long-term vision for Acino and its employees. Avista and Nordic Capital are well-suited partners for Acino. They have proven 'buy and build' capabilities and the financial resources that will significantly enhance Acino's growth opportunities."
Each of the Directors of Acino has entered into a support agreement and will tender all of his shares. Acino's Board of Directors unanimously recommends to its shareholders to accept the offer.
Conditions and indicative timetable of the
transaction
The tender offer is subject to a minimum
acceptance of two-thirds (66.67%) of Acino's shares as well as
other customary conditions and regulatory
approvals.
The pre-announcement of the tender offer has been published in the electronic media today. Further information on this offer is expected to be published on October 4, 2013, in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung and in Le Temps. On the same day the offer prospectus is scheduled for publication. The acceptance period for the offer is expected to commence on October 21, 2013 and to end on November 15, 2013. Subject to completion of the offer, it is intended that Acino will delist its shares from the SIX Swiss Exchange.
Definition of Nordic Capital
In this press release, when referring
directly or indirectly to the tender offer, or the ownership of
Pharma Strategy Partners GmbH, "Nordic Capital" is defined as "one
of Nordic Capital Fund VII and Nordic
Capital Fund VIII". In any other context or description in this
press release, "Nordic Capital" refers to "Nordic Capital Funds VII
and VIII, and/or all, or some, of their predecessor
funds".
Advisors
Lazard is acting as lead financial
advisor and Credit Suisse as financial advisor in the context of
the public tender offer to Avista and Nordic
Capital.
Contacts
For Acino:
Weber-Thedy Corporate & Financial
Communications
Eva Kalias
+41 78 671 98 86
eva.kalias@weber-thedy.com
For Pharma Strategy Partners GmbH, Avista and Nordic
Capital:
Lemongrass Communications
Andreas Hildenbrand
+41 44 202 52 68
andreas.hildenbrand@lemongrass-communications.com
About Acino
Acino (SIX: ACIN), a Swiss-based
pharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures and internationally
markets well-proven and innovative pharmaceuticals in novel drug
delivery forms. Acino is a leader in advanced drug delivery
technologies with a focus on modified release oral forms, oral
dispersible forms, transdermal systems and extended release
parenterals, for which it also holds patents. As a partner of
pharmaceutical companies worldwide, Acino supplies finished
in-house developed products and/or provides customized one-stop
solutions from product development and registration to contract
manufacturing, packaging and logistics. Under the brand "Acino
Switzerland", Acino markets Swiss-quality medicines in up and
coming economies, currently 80 countries in the Middle East,
Africa, Latin America and Asia. The Acino Group, headquartered in
Aesch BL, has 788 employees and generated revenues of EUR 143
million in the first half-year 2013.
About Avista Capital Partners
Avista Capital Partners is a leading
private equity firm with over USD 5 billion under management.
Founded in 2005, Avista's strategy is to make controlling or
influential minority investments in growthoriented energy,
healthcare, communications & media, industrials, and consumer
businesses.Through its team of seasoned investment professionals
and industry experts, Avista seeks to partner with exceptional
management teams to invest in and add value to well-positioned
businesses. For more information consult
www.avistacap.com.
About Nordic Capital
Nordic Capital invests in medium and large
companies, primarily in the Nordic region and Germany, and in
healthcare companies globally. Since 1989, Nordic Capital has
supported value creation in its investments through committed
ownership and by targeting strategic development and operational
improvements, making Nordic Capital a leading presence in Northern
European private equity. Committed capital is provided by
international institutional investors, such as pension funds, asset
managers and insurance companies. The Nordic Capital Funds are
based in Jersey, Channel Islands and are advised by the NC Advisory
companies in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany and the UK.
Additional information is available at www.nordiccapital.com
.
Disclaimers
The public tender offer (öffentliches
Kaufangebot) (the «Tender Offer» or «Offer») described in this
media release will not be made, directly or indirectly, in any
country or jurisdiction, in which the Offer would be illegal or
would otherwise violate any applicable law or ordinance, or which
would require Pharma Strategy Partners GmbH («Pharma Strategy
Partners» or the «Offeror») to change the terms or conditions of
the Offer in any way, to submit any additional filing to, or to
perform any additional action in relation to, any governmental,
regulatory or legal authority. It is not intended to extend the
Offer to any such country or jurisdiction. Documents relating to
the Offer must not be distributed in or sent to any such countries
or jurisdictions. Any such documents must not be used for the
purpose of soliciting the sale or purchase of securities of Acino
by any person or entity resident or incorporated in any such
country or jurisdiction.
United States of America
The public tender offer described in this
media release will not be made directly or indirectly in or by use
of the mail of, or by any means or instrumentality of interstate or
foreign commerce of, or any facilities of a national securities
exchange of, the United States of America and may only be accepted
outside the United States of America. This includes, but is not
limited to, facsimile transmission, telex or telephones. This media
release and any other offering materials with respect to the public
tender offer described in this media release may not be distributed
in nor sent to the United States of America and may not be used for
the purpose of soliciting the sale or purchase of any securities of
Acino, from anyone in the United States of America. The Offeror is
not soliciting the tender of securities of Acino by any holder of
such securities in the United States of America. Securities of
Acino will not be accepted from holders of such securities in the
United States of America. Any purported acceptance of the offer
that the Offeror or its agents believe has been made in or from
the United States of America will be
invalidated. The Offeror reserves the absolute right to reject any
and all acceptances determined by them not to be in the proper form
or the acceptance of which may be unlawful.
United Kingdom
This communication is directed only at
persons in the U.K. who (i) have professional experience in matters
relating to investments, (ii) are persons falling within article
49(2)(a) to (d) («high net worth companies, unincorporated
associations, etc.») of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000
(Financial Promotion) Order 2005 or (iii) to whom it may otherwise
lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred
to as «relevant persons»). This communication must not be acted on
or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any
investment or investment activity to which this communication
relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged
in only with relevant persons.
Australia, Canada and Japan
The public tender offer is not addressed to shareholders of Acino
whose place of residence, seat or habitual abode is in Australia,
Canada or Japan, and such shareholders may not accept the
offer.
Cautionary statement regarding forward
looking statements
This media release contains forward
looking statements. Such statements may be identified by words such
as "expects", "intends", "plans", "believes", "will" or words of
similar meaning. Forward looking statements are based on the
current expectations and assumptions of Acino and are therefore
subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond
Acino's control. Due to these risks and uncertainties the actual
results could differ materially from Acino's expectations expressed
herein. Acino assumes no duty to update the information contained
in this media release to reflect
subsequent developments.