-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, PElTU5JBTLjrC9kxk/qizRfqwh5LXnrLXDrjsF7V2NfeFuxYbtvoYKX5lLONOe+9 3dUpQhmtRF0MTcMCUuQqGg== 0000921895-09-000354.txt : 20090206 0000921895-09-000354.hdr.sgml : 20090206 20090206172502 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000921895-09-000354 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC TO-T/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 FILED AS OF DATE: 20090206 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20090206 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AVIGEN INC \DE CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000932903 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: IN VITRO & IN VIVO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES [2835] IRS NUMBER: 133647119 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1121 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC TO-T/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-48313 FILM NUMBER: 09578292 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1301 HARBOR BAY PARKWAY STREET 2: . CITY: ALAMEDA STATE: CA ZIP: 94502 BUSINESS PHONE: 5107487150 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1301 HARBOR BAY PARKWAY CITY: ALAMEDA STATE: CA ZIP: 94502 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND L P CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000918923 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: INVESTMENT ADVICE [6282] IRS NUMBER: 363924731 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC TO-T/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 900 N. MICHIGAN AVENUE, SUITE 1100 CITY: CHICAGO STATE: IL ZIP: 60611 BUSINESS PHONE: 3125066500 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 900 N. MICHIGAN AVENUE, SUITE 1100 CITY: CHICAGO STATE: IL ZIP: 60611 SC TO-T/A 1 tota207422003_02062009.htm tota207422003_02062009.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
SCHEDULE TO
(RULE 14d-100)
Tender Offer Statement Under Section 14(d)(1) or 13(e)(1) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 2)
 
________________________

AVIGEN, INC.
(Name of Subject Company)
________________________

BVF ACQUISITION LLC
BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND, L.P.
BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND II, L.P.
BVF INVESTMENTS, L.L.C.
INVESTMENT 10, L.L.C.
BVF PARTNERS L.P.
BVF INC.
MARK N. LAMPERT
(Names of Filing Persons—Offeror)
____________________________________

COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.001 PER SHARE
(Title of Class of Securities)
_________________________

053690103
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
________________________

 
 MARK N. LAMPERT
 
 
Biotechnology Value Fund, L.P.
 
 
900 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1100
 
 
Chicago, Illinois 60611
 
 
(312) 506-6500
 
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices
and Communications on Behalf of Filing Persons)
 
Copies to:
ADAM W. FINERMAN, ESQ.
Olshan Grundman Frome Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP
Park Avenue Tower
65 East 55th Street
New York, New York 10022
(212) 451-2300
 
 
 

 

 
Transaction Valuation*
 
Amount of Filing Fee**
 
$20,949,515
 
$823.32
 
     

*
 
Estimated for purposes of calculating the amount of filing fee only. Transaction value derived by multiplying 20,949,515 (the maximum number of shares of common stock of subject company estimated to be acquired by Offeror) by $1.00 (the purchase price per share offered by Offeror).

**
 
The amount of the filing fee, calculated in accordance with Rule 0-11 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, equals $39.30 per $1,000,000 of the value of the transaction.
 
x
 
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

Amount Previously Paid:
 
$823.32
 
Filing Party:
 
BVF Acquisition LLC
Form or Registration No.:
 
Schedule TO-T
 
Date Filed:
 
January 23, 2009

 
  ¨  Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of a tender offer.
 
Check the appropriate boxes below to designate any transactions to which the statement relates:
x    third-party tender offer subject to Rule 14d-1.
¨    issuer tender offer subject to Rule 13e-4.
¨    going-private transaction subject to Rule 13e-3.
¨    amendment to Schedule 13D under Rule 13d-2.
 
Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results of the tender offer.    ¨

If applicable, check the appropriate box(es) below to designate the appropriate rule provision(s) relied upon:

 
¨
Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)
 
¨
Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)
 
 
 

 
 
This Amendment No. 2 (this “Amendment”) amends and supplements the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (the “Schedule TO”), originally filed by BVF Acquisition LLC (the “Purchaser”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2009, as amended on February 2, 2009, relating to the offer by the Purchaser to purchase all of the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Shares”), of Avigen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), at $1.00 per Share, net to the seller in cash, without interest, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated January 23, 2009, as amended (the “Offer to Purchase”), and in the related Letter of Transmittal, copies of which were filed as Exhibits (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) to the Schedule TO. All references to Sections in this Amendment are to Sections of the Offer to Purchase. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Offer to Purchase or the Schedule TO, as applicable.

All information set forth in the Offer to Purchase filed as Exhibit (a)(1)(i) to the Schedule TO is incorporated by reference in answer to Items 1 through 11 in the Schedule TO, except those items as to which information is specifically provided herein.

Item 12.    Exhibits.

 
Item 12 of the Schedule TO is hereby amended and supplemented to include the following:
 
     “(a)(5)(iii) Text of Press Release issued by the Purchaser, dated February 6, 2009.”
 
 
 

 
 
SIGNATURE
 
After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
 
Dated:  February 6, 2009
 

 
BVF ACQUISITION LLC
 
By: Biotechnology Value Fund, L.P., a member
   
By: BVF Partners L.P., its general partner
     
By: BVP Inc., its general partner

 
By:
/s/ Mark N. Lampert
   
Name:
Mark N. Lampert
   
Title:
President


BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND, L.P.
By:
BVF Partners L.P., its general partner
 
By:
BVF Inc., its general partner
     
   
By:
/s/ Mark N. Lampert
     
Mark N. Lampert
     
President


BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND II, L.P.
By:
BVF Partners L.P., its general partner
 
By:
BVF Inc., its general partner
     
   
By:
/s/ Mark N. Lampert
     
Mark N. Lampert
     
President


BVF INVESTMENTS, L.L.C.
By:
BVF Partners L.P., its manager
 
By:
BVF Inc., its general partner
     
   
By:
/s/ Mark N. Lampert
     
Mark N. Lampert
     
President


INVESTMENT 10, L.L.C.
By:
BVF Partners L.P., its investment manager
     
 
By:
BVF Inc., its general partner
     
   
By:
/s/ Mark N. Lampert
     
Mark N. Lampert
     
President
 
 
 

 

BVF PARTNERS L.P.
By:
BVF Inc., its general partner
     
 
By:
/s/ Mark N. Lampert
   
Mark N. Lampert
   
President


BVF INC.
 
By:
/s/ Mark N. Lampert
 
Mark N. Lampert
 
President


/s/ Mark N. Lampert
MARK N. LAMPERT

 
 

 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX

   
(a)(1)(i)
  
Offer to Purchase, dated January 23, 2009.*
   
(a)(1)(ii)
  
Form of Letter of Transmittal.*
   
(a)(1)(iii)
  
Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.*
   
(a)(1)(iv)
  
Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees.*
   
(a)(1)(v)
  
Form of Letter to Clients for use by Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees.*
     
(a)(1)(vi)
 
Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9.*
   
(a)(1)(vii)
  
Form of summary advertisement, dated January 23, 2009.*
   
(a)(5)(i)
  
Text of press release issued by Purchaser, dated January 23, 2009.*
   
(a)(5)(ii)
  
Text of Press Release issued on January 15, 2009, incorporated by reference from Schedule TO filed by BVF Acquisition LLC on January 15, 2009.**
     
(a)(5)(iii)
 
Text of Press Release issued by the Purchaser, dated February 6, 2009.
   
(b)
  
Not applicable.
   
(d)
  
Not applicable.
   
(g)
  
Not applicable.
   
(h)
  
Not applicable.
_____________________
*           Previously filed on January 23, 2009.
**           Previously filed on January 15, 2009.
EX-99.(A)(5)(III) 2 exa5iiitota207422003_020609.htm exa5iiitota207422003_020609.htm
Exhibit (a)(5)(iii)
 
NEWS RELEASE
 
For Immediate Release
 
Contact:
Mark H. Harnett
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
(212) 929-5877
 
BVF WARNS STOCKHOLDERS:  AVIGEN CONTINUES TO REMAIN SILENT ON DOWNSIDE PROTECTION
 
AVIGEN’S LATEST MOVES REINFORCE TROUBLING PATTERN OF DISMISSING ALTERNATIVES WHICH PROTECT STOCKHOLDER VALUE
 
BVF URGES AVIGEN BOARD TO CALL SPECIAL MEETING SO STOCKHOLDERS CAN VOTE FOR DIRECTORS COMMITTED TO MAXIMIZING VALUE AND MINIMIZING RISK AND WASTE
 
NEW YORK, February 6, 2009 – BVF Acquisition LLC (the “Purchaser”), an affiliate of Biotechnology Value Fund L.P. (“BVF”), announced today that it is gravely concerned that today’s announcement by the Board of Directors of Avigen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGN) that it is considering “strategic alternatives” is silent on downside protection for all stockholders.
 
Speaking on behalf of BVF, Mark Lampert, BVF’s General Partner, stated, “As the largest stockholder in Avigen, holding 8,819,600, or approximately 29.63% of Avigen’s outstanding shares, we are worried that this Board is embarking on a path that will use the companies cash and valuable assets in a misguided transaction which offers no downside protection to stockholders -- a key feature of the proposed merger with MediciNova .  The landscape is littered with numerous parallels in which cash shells like Avigen have entered into transactions promoted as value-creating, but which ultimately left investors holding nearly worthless stock.  Our nominees are committed to closing the downside-protected merger with MediciNova.  We are disappointed that the current Board seems to be more interested in entrenching itself by means of implementing golden parachutes and a poison pill, actions that we believe are detrimental to the creation of value at Avigen.  We reiterate our call to the Avigen Board to institute downside protection for all stockholders.”
 

 
Separately, BVF is notifying the SEC of significant and blatant inaccuracies in Avigen’s 14D-9 filing.  BVF will hold Avigen responsible for any harm caused to BVF by these inaccuracies.
 
 “We believe Avigen’s board and management has a long history of failure and waste and do not believe this Board should be making any decisions about Avigen’s future.  Any decision by this Board for the direction of Avigen should be subject to a vote of stockholders,” Mr. Lampert said.  “We note that Avigen’s directors and officers own an aggregate of 48,233 shares of Avigen stock, as opposed to BVF’s over 8.8 million shares.  BVF shares the interests of all stockholders in the direction of the Company, and has never requested any benefit in which all stockholders would not fully participate.  Our tender offer provides other stockholders with a liquidity option. We welcome any stockholders who do not wish to tender to continue as holders alongside BVF.”
 
BVF continues to urge the Avigen Board to stop stalling and to promptly call a special meeting of stockholders to enable the true owners of the company, the stockholders, to determine the fate of their investment.  BVF submitted a request on January 9, 2009 for Avigen to call special meeting.  Today, nearly one month later, the Company has taken no action in this regard.  At the special meeting, stockholders will be asked to replace the existing Board with directors who would be dedicated to maximizing value and minimizing risk and waste on behalf of all Avigen stockholders.  BVF believes that stockholders who are concerned about the continuing destruction of value at Avigen – whether or not they intend to tender their shares - should urge the Board to call a meeting as soon as possible.
 
On January 23, 2009, BVF commenced a tender offer at $1.00 per share, which represented a premium of 35% over the closing stock price of $0.74 on January 8, 2009, the day before BVF announced its desire to replace Avigen’s incumbent Board of Directors.  Subsequent to the commencement of BVF’s tender, Avigen’s stock price has increased to above the tender price.  The offer, which is not subject to any financing condition, was and is intended to give certain stockholders, who desire near-term liquidity, an alternative to the proposed merger with MediciNova.  Each stockholder should make their own decision on whether or not to tender.
 
The tender offer is conditioned upon, among other things, the BVF nominees being elected or appointed to the Avigen Board of Directors so that they would constitute a majority of the Board.  If placed on the Board, the BVF nominees would, subject to their fiduciary duties, pursue merger negotiations with MediciNova, Inc. or other actions that would be designed to enhance value and minimize risk for all Avigen stockholders.
 

 
MacKenzie Partners, Inc. is the Information Agent for the tender offer and any questions or requests for the Offer to Purchase and related materials with respect to the tender offer or the special meeting may be directed to MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
 
THIS PRESS RELEASE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER TO BUY OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY SHARES. THE SOLICITATION AND THE OFFER TO BUY AVIGEN' COMMON STOCK IS ONLY BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN OFFER TO PURCHASE AND RELATED MATERIALS THAT THE PURCHASER HAS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD READ THESE MATERIALS CAREFULLY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER. STOCKHOLDERS ARE ABLE TO OBTAIN THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND RELATED MATERIALS WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER FREE AT THE SEC'S WEBSITE AT WWW.SEC.GOV OR FROM THE PURCHASER BY CONTACTING MACKENZIE PARTNERS, INC. TOLL-FREE AT (800) 322-2885 OR COLLECT AT (212) 929-5500 OR VIA EMAIL AT TENDEROFFER@MACKENZIEPARTNERS.COM.
 
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING PARTICIPANTS
 
Biotechnology Value Fund, L.P. (“BVF”), together with the other participants named herein, has made a preliminary filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) of a proxy statement and accompanying GOLD proxy card to be used to solicit proxies for the removal of the members of the Board of Directors of Avigen, Inc. (“Avigen”), without cause, and for the election of BVF’s slate of director nominees to replace the removed directors at a special meeting of stockholders, to be called by Avigen at the request of BVF and Biotechnology Value Fund II, L.P. (“BVF2”).
 
BVF STRONGLY ADVISES ALL STOCKHOLDERS OF AVIGEN TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER PROXY MATERIALS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.  SUCH PROXY MATERIALS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE SEC’S WEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV.  IN ADDITION, THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION WILL PROVIDE COPIES OF THE PROXY STATEMENT WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST. REQUESTS FOR COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE PARTICIPANTS’ PROXY SOLICITOR.
 
The participants in the proxy solicitation are BVF, BVF2, BVF Investments, L.L.C. (“BVLLC”), BVF Acquisition LLC (“BVF Acq”), Investment 10, L.L.C. (“ILL10”), BVF Partners L.P. (“Partners”), BVF Inc. (“BVF Inc.”), Mark N. Lampert, Oleg Nodelman, Matthew D. Perry and Robert M. Coppedge.
 

 
As of the date of this filing, BVF beneficially owned 1,975,340 shares of Common Stock of Avigen, BVF2 beneficially owned 1,364,911 shares of Common Stock of Avigen, BVLLC beneficially owned 4,969,764 shares of Common Stock of Avigen and ILL10 beneficially owned 509,585 shares of Common Stock of Avigen.
 
BVF Acq does not directly own any shares of Common Stock.  As a member of a “group” for the purposes of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, BVF Acq may be deemed to beneficially own the 8,819,600 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned in the aggregate by the other Reporting Persons.  BVF Acq disclaims beneficial ownership of such Shares.
 
As the general partner of BVF and BVF2, the manager of BVLLC and the investment adviser of ILL10, Partners may be deemed to beneficially own the 8,819,600 shares of Common Stock of Avigen beneficially owned in the aggregate by BVF, BVF2, BVLLC and ILL10.  As the investment adviser and general partner of Partners, BVF Inc. may be deemed to beneficially own the 8,819,600 shares of Common Stock of Avigen beneficially owned by Partners.  Mr. Lampert, as a director and officer of BVF Inc. may be deemed to beneficially own the 8,819,600 shares of Common Stock of Avigen beneficially owned by BFV Inc.
 
None of Messrs. Nodelman, Perry or Coppedge directly owns any shares of Common Stock of Avigen.  As a members of a “group” for the purposes of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, each of Messrs. Nodelman, Perry and Coppedge may be deemed to beneficially own the 8,819,600 shares of Common Stock of Avigen beneficially owned in the aggregate by the other participants named herein.  Each of Messrs. Nodelman, Perry and Coppedge disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock.
 
 
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