UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): Jan uary 27, 2020 (
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
|
|
| ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
|
|
(Address of principal executive offices) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
|
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
|
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
|
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
|
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging Growth Company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
Title of each class |
Trading Symbol(s) |
Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
|
|
| ||
|
|
| ||
|
|
| ||
|
|
| ||
|
|
| ||
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
Item 8.01. | Other Matters. |
On January 27, 2020, Allergan plc (“Allergan”) and AbbVie Inc. (“AbbVie”) announced that Allergan had entered into definitive agreements to divest brazikumab (IL-23 inhibitor) and Zenpep (pancrelipase) (together, the “Divestitures”) in order to satisfy regulatory requirements in connection with the previously announced transaction whereby Venice Subsidiary LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of AbbVie, will acquire Allergan (the “Transaction”) pursuant to a scheme of arrangement under Chapter 1 of Part 9 of the Irish Companies Act 2014 (the “Act”) and a capital reduction under Sections 84 to 86 of the Act.
AstraZeneca plc will acquire brazikumab, an investigational IL-23 inhibitor in Phase 2b/3 development for Crohn’s Disease and in Phase 2 development for ulcerative colitis, including global development and commercial rights.
Nestlé S.A. (“Nestlé”) will acquire and take full operational ownership of Zenpep upon closing the transaction with customary transition support from Allergan. Zenpep is a treatment, which is available in the United States, for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis and other conditions. Nestlé also will be acquiring Viokace, another pancreatic enzyme preparation, as part of the same transaction.
The closings of the Divestitures are contingent upon receipt of U.S. Federal Trade Commission and European Commission approval, the closing of the Transaction, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.
A copy of the press release relating to the announcement of the Divestitures is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit |
Description | |||
99.1 |
||||
104 |
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains certain forward-looking statements, including with respect to the pending acquisition involving AbbVie and Allergan, Allergan’s divestitures of brazikumab and Zenpep and AbbVie’s, Allergan’s and/or the combined group’s estimated or anticipated future business, performance and results of operations and financial condition, including estimates, forecasts, targets and plans for AbbVie and, following the acquisition, if completed, the combined group. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project” and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the possibility that the divestitures and/or the pending acquisition will not be pursued, failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or required financing or to satisfy any of the other conditions to the pending acquisition, adverse effects on the market price of AbbVie’s shares of common stock or Allergan’s ordinary shares and on AbbVie’s or Allergan’s operating results because of a failure to complete the pending acquisition, failure to realize the expected benefits of the pending acquisition, failure to promptly and effectively integrate Allergan’s businesses, negative effects relating to the announcement of the pending acquisition or any further announcements relating to the pending acquisition or the consummation of the pending acquisition on the market price of AbbVie’s shares of common stock or Allergan’s ordinary shares, significant transaction costs and/or unknown or inestimable liabilities, potential litigation associated with the pending acquisition, general economic and business conditions that affect the combined companies following the consummation of the pending acquisition, changes in global, political, economic, business, competitive, market and
regulatory forces, future exchange and interest rates, changes in tax laws, regulations, rates and policies, future business acquisitions or disposals and competitive developments. These forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and assessments made in light of AbbVie’s or, as the case may be, Allergan’s experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, business strategies, operating environment, future developments and other factors it believes appropriate. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. The factors described in the context of such forward-looking statements in this report could cause AbbVie’s plans with respect to Allergan or AbbVie’s or Allergan’s actual results, performance or achievements, industry results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although it is believed that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct and persons reading this report are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this report. Additional information about economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie or Allergan is set forth in AbbVie’s and Allergan’s periodic public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, AbbVie’s and Allergan’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2019, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019 and, from time to time, AbbVie’s and Allergan’s other investor communications, in each case, the contents of which are not incorporated by reference into, nor do they form part of, this report.
Any forward-looking statements in this report are based upon information available to AbbVie, Allergan and/or their respective board of directors, as the case may be, as of the date of this report and, while believed to be true when made, may ultimately prove to be incorrect. Subject to any obligations under applicable law, none of AbbVie, Allergan or any member of their respective board of directors undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, or to conform any forward-looking statement to actual results, future events, or to changes in expectations. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to AbbVie, Allergan or their respective board of directors or any person acting on behalf of any of them are expressly qualified in their entirety by this paragraph.
Statement Required by the Irish Takeover Rules
The Allergan directors accept responsibility for the information contained in this report. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Allergan directors (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure such is the case), the information contained in this report for which they accept responsibility is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Allergan plc | ||
By: |
/s/ A. Robert D. Bailey | |
Name: |
A. Robert D. Bailey | |
Title: |
EVP and Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary |
Dated: January 27, 2020
Exhibit 99.1
PRESS RELEASE
AbbVie and Allergan Announce Agreements to Divest Brazikumab and Zenpep
Agreements Contingent on FTC and European Commission Approval and Completion of AbbVies Pending Acquisition of Allergan
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. and DUBLIN, Jan. 27, 2020 AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, and Allergan (NYSE: AGN), a leading global pharmaceutical company, today announced that Allergan has entered into definitive agreements to divest brazikumab (IL-23 inhibitor) and Zenpep (pancrelipase). These agreements are in conjunction with the ongoing regulatory approval process for AbbVies acquisition of Allergan.
AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) will acquire brazikumab, an investigational IL-23 inhibitor in Phase 2b/3 development for Crohns Disease and in Phase 2 development for ulcerative colitis, including global development and commercial rights.
Nestle (Swiss: NESN) will acquire and take full operational ownership of Zenpep upon closing the transaction with customary transition support from Allergan. Zenpep is a treatment, which is available in the United States, for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis and other conditions. Nestle also will be acquiring Viokace, another pancreatic enzyme preparation, as part of the same transaction.
These definitive agreements represent significant progress toward the completion of our acquisition of Allergan, said Richard A. Gonzalez, chairman and chief executive officer, AbbVie. The new combined organization will be well positioned to deliver on our mission to patients with a broad portfolio of innovative therapies.
Today, we move another step closer to completing AbbVies acquisition of Allergan. Allergans commercial and R&D teams have invested so much of themselves into the development of brazikumab and the commercialization of Zenpep, and these divestiture agreements will enable that work to continue following the close of our planned acquisition, said Brent Saunders, chairman and chief executive officer of Allergan.
AbbVie Inc. | +1 (847) 938-9190 | |
1 North Waukegan Road | abbvie.com | |
North Chicago, IL 60064 |
The closings of the acquisitions of brazikumab and Zenpep are contingent upon receipt of U.S. Federal Trade Commission and European Commission approval, closing of AbbVies pending acquisition of Allergan and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.
On January 10, 2020, AbbVie and Allergan received conditional approval of the transaction by the European Commission, subject to the approved divestiture of brazikumab and other conditions.
AbbVie and Allergan continue to expect a first-quarter 2020 close of their pending transaction, subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.
About AbbVie
AbbVie is a global, research-driven biopharmaceutical company committed to developing innovative advanced therapies for some of the worlds most complex and critical conditions. The companys mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to markedly improve treatments across four primary therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, virology and neuroscience. In more than 75 countries, AbbVie employees are working every day to advance health solutions for people around the world. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter or view careers on our Facebook or LinkedIn page.
About Allergan plc
Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a global pharmaceutical leader focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing branded pharmaceutical, device, biologic, surgical and regenerative medicine products for patients around the world. Allergan markets a portfolio of leading brands and best-in-class products primarily focused on four key therapeutic areas including medical aesthetics, eye care, central nervous system and gastroenterology. As part of its approach to delivering innovation for better patient care, Allergan has built one of the broadest pharmaceutical and device research and development pipelines in the industry.
With colleagues and commercial operations located in approximately 100 countries, Allergan is committed to working with physicians, healthcare providers, and patients to deliver innovative and meaningful treatments that help people around the world live longer, healthier lives every day.
For more information, visit Allergans website at www.Allergan.com.
AbbVie Inc. | +1 (847) 938-9190 | |
1 North Waukegan Road | abbvie.com | |
North Chicago, IL 60064 |
About Zenpep
ZENPEP® (pancrelipase) is a prescription medication for people who cannot digest food normally because their pancreas does not make enough enzymes. ZENPEP may help your body use fats, proteins, and sugars from food. ZENPEP contains a mixture of digestive enzymes (lipases, proteases, and amylases) from pig pancreas. In clinical studies, individuals with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency associated with cystic fibrosis absorbed more fat from foods than those treated with a placebo.
About Brazikumab
Brazikumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to the IL23 receptor and is in development for Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis with a companion biomarker. Brazikumab selectively blocks the IL23 immune signal, preventing intestinal inflammation. The Phase IIb/III INTREPID program is underway to assess brazikumab compared to placebo or adalimumab in Crohns Disease. The Phase II EXPEDITION trial is underway to assess brazikumab compared to placebo or vedolizumab in Ulcerative Colitis.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements, including with respect to the pending acquisition involving AbbVie and Allergan, Allergans divestitures of brazikumab and Zenpep and AbbVies, Allergans and/or the combined groups estimated or anticipated future business, performance and results of operations and financial condition, including estimates, forecasts, targets and plans for AbbVie and, following the acquisition, if completed, the combined group. The words believe, expect, anticipate, project and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the possibility that the divestitures and/or the pending acquisition will not be pursued, failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or required financing or to satisfy any of the other conditions to the pending acquisition, adverse effects on the market price of AbbVies shares of common stock or Allergans ordinary shares and on AbbVies or Allergans operating results because of a failure to complete the pending acquisition, failure to realize the expected benefits of the pending acquisition, failure to promptly and effectively integrate Allergans businesses, negative effects relating to the announcement of the pending acquisition or any further announcements relating to the pending acquisition or the consummation of the pending acquisition on the market price of AbbVies shares of common stock or Allergans ordinary shares, significant transaction costs and/or
AbbVie Inc. | +1 (847) 938-9190 | |
1 North Waukegan Road | abbvie.com | |
North Chicago, IL 60064 |
unknown or inestimable liabilities, potential litigation associated with the pending acquisition, general economic and business conditions that affect the combined companies following the consummation of the pending acquisition, changes in global, political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory forces, future exchange and interest rates, changes in tax laws, regulations, rates and policies, future business acquisitions or disposals and competitive developments. These forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and assessments made in light of AbbVies or, as the case may be, Allergans experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, business strategies, operating environment, future developments and other factors it believes appropriate. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. The factors described in the context of such forward-looking statements in this announcement could cause AbbVies plans with respect to Allergan or AbbVies or Allergans actual results, performance or achievements, industry results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although it is believed that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct and persons reading this announcement are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this announcement. Additional information about economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie or Allergan is set forth in AbbVies and Allergans periodic public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, AbbVies and Allergans Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2019, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019 and, from time to time, AbbVies and Allergans other investor communications, in each case, the contents of which are not incorporated by reference into, nor do they form part of, this announcement.
Any forward-looking statements in this announcement are based upon information available to AbbVie, Allergan and/or their respective board of directors, as the case may be, as of the date of this announcement and, while believed to be true when made, may ultimately prove to be incorrect. Subject to any obligations under applicable law, none of AbbVie, Allergan or any member of their respective board of directors undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, or to conform any forward-looking
AbbVie Inc. | +1 (847) 938-9190 | |
1 North Waukegan Road | abbvie.com | |
North Chicago, IL 60064 |
statement to actual results, future events, or to changes in expectations. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to AbbVie, Allergan or their respective board of directors or any person acting on behalf of any of them are expressly qualified in their entirety by this paragraph.
Statement Required by Irish Takeover Rules
The Directors of AbbVie Inc. accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement. To the best of their knowledge and belief (having taken all reasonable care to ensure such is the case), the information contained in this announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.
The Allergan directors accept responsibility for the information contained in this report. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Allergan directors (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure such is the case), the information contained in this report for which they accept responsibility is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.
Any holder of 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of Allergan plc or AbbVie Inc. may have disclosure obligations under Rule 8.3 of the Irish Takeover Panel Act, 1997, Takeover Rules 2013.
###
Media: Adelle Infante (847) 938-8745 |
Investors: Liz Shea (847) 935-2211 |
AbbVie Inc. | +1 (847) 938-9190 | |
1 North Waukegan Road | abbvie.com | |
North Chicago, IL 60064 |
S[MNUB8Z*T?[NQBN=K@D9ZV'Z=BU6@X+?.KBLAB4R'^ITO3#9
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M.VQ0=(*A.AWBLS"I^*%_PN1TR]QD"ILX,4FBK=7X[2C+D@P!^'JT!]M*Q6*9H6J*V\\'I*K0>R*'9VV6_=QGDR4('##5S10L3"X5^;,
M!V3G5,\.N7>.5^/IYI9CY?#M9,9=/@F4HD0>%A46E?U91YIK=EF6M
K*P/6QZMC]W1PTZ(E&7I%3(U;5?1-4;
M?UZ@!AR/ZO;5Y;:QF6.?<^=#L"!G=T#>OU#A*'7]1+[)9-X5U/"(#TT>=6J4
M3B1JJQB_AI[KQ4JZB>?Y9U3WY]I$B(89-5;1L4/,G=)U+.4VYVL%4^8H[/J:
MJQ#3[+ZMP3.'FRQB)O?20G?#R;ZN%-\HI(O78./]=T.WM];_O^I4&OB:=:H(
MXJ+F+7&J(*) Y2Z9>;%-W