Genzyme Completes Tender Offer for Outstanding Shares of AnorMED
November 07 2006 - 4:57PM
PR Newswire (US)
Acquisition to Strengthen Transplant and Oncology Businesses
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and VANCOUVER, B.C., Nov. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- Genzyme Corporation (NASDAQ:GENZ) and AnorMED Inc. (Nasdaq:
ANOR; TSX: AOM) announced today the completion of Genzyme's tender
offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of AnorMED for
$13.50 per share, or approximately $584 million. All of the
conditions to Genzyme's tender offer were satisfied, and Genzyme
has accepted for payment and paid for approximately 41.5 million
shares, or 96 percent of shares outstanding, tendered in the offer.
Following acquisition of these shares, Genzyme completed a
compulsory acquisition of all remaining AnorMED shares not tendered
into the offer. Genzyme will also apply to have AnorMED shares
delisted from Nasdaq and the Toronto Stock Exchange so that the
shares will cease trading and AnorMED will no longer be a reporting
issuer in the U.S. and Canada. "We are very pleased to complete the
acquisition of AnorMED, which broadens Genzyme's presence in
transplantation and oncology through the introduction of a
promising new product candidate for stem cell transplantation,"
said Henri A. Termeer, chairman and chief executive officer,
Genzyme. "We are now working to bring about an efficient
integration of the two companies that enables us to rapidly
complete the development of Mozobil and introduce it to patients
worldwide." Enrollment is complete in a pivotal Phase 3 trial for
Mozobil in multiple myeloma and a second pivotal Phase 3 trial in
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Mozobil has been shown in multiple earlier
studies to rapidly increase the number of stem cells in circulation
in the blood, an important step in preparing a patient for a stem
cell transplant. Increasing the number of stem cells collected can
improve patient outcomes in two ways: by helping patients who were
previously not eligible to meet the target ranges needed for a
transplant; and by raising the level of stem cells collected in
those already eligible, thereby improving the viability of the
transplant. Genzyme plans to commercialize Mozobil through its
existing global transplant business to hematologists and bone
marrow transplant centers in more than 50 countries throughout the
world. The transaction is expected to be dilutive to Genzyme's GAAP
earnings through 2008 and accretive in 2009. In association with
the acquisition, Genzyme anticipates it will incur certain one time
charges, which will be detailed after completion of the purchase
accounting. About Genzyme One of the world's leading biotechnology
companies, Genzyme is dedicated to making a major positive impact
on the lives of people with serious diseases. This year marks the
25th anniversary of Genzyme's founding. Since 1981, the company has
grown from a small start-up to a diversified enterprise with more
than 8,500 employees in locations spanning the globe and 2005
revenues of $2.7 billion. Genzyme has been selected by FORTUNE as
one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for" in the United States.
With many established products and services helping patients in
more than 80 countries, Genzyme is a leader in the effort to
develop and apply the most advanced technologies in the life
sciences. The company's products and services are focused on rare
inherited disorders, kidney disease, orthopedics, cancer,
transplant and immune diseases, and diagnostic testing. Genzyme's
commitment to innovation continues today with a substantial
development program focused on these fields, as well as heart
disease and other areas of unmet medical need. Genzyme(R) is a
registered trademark of Genzyme Corporation or its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved. This press release contains forward-looking
statements, including the statements regarding: the delisting of
the AnorMED shares from Nasdaq and the Toronto Stock Exchange,
Genzyme's ability to rapidly complete the development of Mozobil
and commercialize the product on a worldwide basis, the anticipated
therapeutic benefit of Mozobil and Genzyme's commercialization
plans for the product. These statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those projected in these forward-looking statements. These
risks and uncertainties include, among others, Genzyme's inability
to meet the acquisition and development timelines anticipated;
Genzyme's inability to successfully integrate AnorMED's operations
and programs with its own business due to misestimates of the time
and resources required to do so, or for other reasons; the
uncertainties associated with the results or timing of the Mozobil
clinical studies, including unanticipated delays or unfavorable
safety or efficacy data; the failure of Mozobil to receive
regulatory approvals for the label or on the schedule expected; the
failure of Mozobil to receive favorable pricing or reimbursement;
the possible inaccuracies of Genzyme's analysis with respect to
markets and number of potential patients for Mozobil; and the risks
and uncertainties described in reports filed by Genzyme with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, including without limitation the
information under the heading "Factors Affecting Future Operating
Results" in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations section of the Genzyme
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending September 30,
2006. Genzyme cautions investors not to place substantial reliance
on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.
These statements speak only as of the date of this press release,
and Genzyme undertakes no obligation to update or revise the
statements. Genzyme's press releases and other company information
are available at http://www.genzyme.com/ and by calling Genzyme's
investor information line at 1-800-905-4369 within the United
States or 1-703-797-1866 outside the United States. CONTACTS: For
AnorMED For Genzyme Kenneth Galbraith (investors) Carol Miceli
(investors) (604) 889-5320 (617) 768-6602 Karen Cook Boas (media)
Dan Quinn (media) (604) 742-4252 (617) 768-6849 DATASOURCE: Genzyme
CONTACT: Kenneth Galbraith (investors), +1-604-889-5320, or Karen
Cook Boas (media), +1-604-742-4252, both for AnorMED; or Carol
Miceli (investors), +1-617-768-6602, or Dan Quinn (media),
+1-617-768-6849, both for Genzyme Web site: http://www.genzyme.com/
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