On April 13, 2022 Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HALO) ("Halozyme") and Antares Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATRS) ("Antares") reported that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Halozyme will acquire Antares for $5.60 per share in cash (Press release, Halozyme, APR 13, 2022, View Source [SID1234612146]). The transaction, which values Antares at approximately $960 million, was unanimously approved by both the Halozyme and Antares Boards of Directors.
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The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Halozyme’s 2022 revenue and non-GAAP earnings and to accelerate top- and bottom-line growth through 2027, with multiple growth drivers beyond 2027. The combination of Halozyme and Antares will create a leading drug delivery and specialty product company. The Antares business consists of a best-in-class, differentiated, royalty revenue generating auto injector platform business that offers broad licensing opportunity, and a commercial business, with three proprietary commercial products.
"The addition of Antares, particularly with its best-in-class auto injector platform and specialty commercial business, augments Halozyme’s strategy, further strengthens our position as a leading drug delivery company and extends our strategy to include specialty products," said Dr. Helen Torley, president and chief executive officer of Halozyme. "The acquisition of Antares fits well with our previously discussed strategic priorities and provides substantial financial growth potential and disruptive solutions to significantly improve patient experiences and outcomes for emerging and established therapies. Halozyme is well-positioned to leverage Antares’ value proposition, driven by a strong balance sheet, established industry relationships and business development experience. We look forward to welcoming Antares’ talented team as we embark on our next chapter of accelerating financial growth, maximizing patient benefit, and enhancing value."
Robert F. Apple, president and chief executive officer of Antares, commented, "We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Halozyme, as this transaction showcases the value of Antares’ highly complementary business, provides our shareholders with attractive and certain value, and brings together industry-leading expertise and drug delivery platforms to accelerate growth and create new opportunities. As we remain committed to continuing to serve our partners, I would like to thank our
employees for their hard work and dedication to this mission. We look forward to working with the Halozyme team to complete the transaction and deliver best-in-class therapies and drug delivery solutions."
Compelling Financial and Strategic Benefits
Immediate Revenue and Non-GAAP Earnings Accretion and Long-Term Financial Upside: The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Halozyme’s 2022 revenue and non-GAAP earnings, supported by Antares’ proprietary product revenues, royalty revenues and profitability. The addition of Antares is also expected to accelerate top- and bottom-line growth and enhance cash flow generation through 2027, increasing Halozyme’s flexibility to pursue further growth drivers in the forms of new product and therapy launches, and partnerships.
Business Development to Augment Long-Term Growth, Consistent with Strategic Priorities: The addition of Antares’ commercial products and existing auto injector capabilities accelerate Halozyme’s strategy to drive long-term, durable revenue growth and value creation through focused external growth. Halozyme expects to build on Antares’ core platform technology and capabilities to drive incremental, durable revenue opportunities with additional intellectual property protections for Antares technology in place beyond 2030.
Substantial Market Expansion Opportunity in High Revenue Segments: Antares’ successful development and partnership of its technology platforms offers a widely licensable product suite that can be broadly applied across a spectrum of market segments representing multiple tens of billions of dollars1 in estimated peak sales. This includes the potential for conversion to both high-viscosity and high-volume auto injector devices, supported by Halozyme’s extensive infrastructure and commercially validated ENHANZE platform technology.
High Growth, Durable Commercial Franchise with Proven Track Record: Antares’ suite of FDA-approved, high quality commercial products and partner products utilizing the Antares auto injector technology have already demonstrated commercial success and are positioned for long-term growth. Launch of Tlando will leverage existing testosterone commercial infrastructure and capabilities in a growing therapeutic category, building on momentum created by Xyosted’s success.
Two Highly Complementary Platforms, Each with Meaningful Pipelines: Antares’ broadly applicable, differentiated auto injector platform is suitable for use with a broad range of medications. The versatility of this platform enables a highly licensable business with significant revenue upside. The combined entity will be able to leverage its deep industry expertise and existing commercial infrastructure in the U.S. to expand delivery capabilities and pursue growth opportunities within multiple small- and large-molecule products.
Transaction Terms, Financing and Time to Closing
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Halozyme will commence a cash tender offer to acquire all
of the outstanding shares of Antares for $5.60 per share in cash. The transaction is not subject to a financing condition. Halozyme intends to finance the transaction using existing cash on hand and new sources of debt. Following completion of the transaction, Halozyme expects to maintain a strong balance sheet with less than 3.5x net debt-to-EBITDA ratio at the time of transaction close. Net debt-to-EBITDA ratio is expected to decline significantly in the quarters post transaction close. The closing of the tender offer will be subject to certain conditions, including the tender of shares representing at least a majority of the total number of Antares’ outstanding shares of common stock, the expiration or termination of the HSR waiting period, and other customary conditions. Following the successful completion of the tender offer, Halozyme will acquire all remaining shares not tendered in the tender offer through a second-step merger at the same price. This transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2022.
BofA Securities and Wells Fargo Securities LLC are acting as financial advisors to Halozyme and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is acting as legal advisor. Jefferies LLC is acting as financial advisor to Antares and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is acting as legal advisor.
Business Update
Halozyme reaffirms its 2022 guidance and its commitment to the three year $750 million share repurchase program.
Conference Call
Halozyme will host a conference call and a simultaneous webcast to discuss the transaction today, Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. ET/5:00 a.m. PT. Dr. Torley will lead the call, which will be webcast live through the "Investors" section of Halozyme’s corporate website and a webcast replay will be available following the close of the call. To register for this conference call, please use this link: View Source After registering, you will receive an email confirmation that includes dial in details and unique conference call codes for entry. Registration is open through the live call.