NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. and LEIDEN,
Netherlands, Feb. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson &
Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) and Crucell N.V. (NYSE Euronext, Nasdaq: CRXL;
Swiss Exchange: CRX) today announce that Johnson & Johnson has
completed the tender offer for Crucell N.V. (Crucell) and has
declared the offer unconditional. As a result, Crucell will
now operate as the center for vaccines within the Johnson &
Johnson pharmaceuticals group.
Reference is made to the joint press release of Johnson &
Johnson and Crucell dated 8 December
2010 announcing the recommended cash offer by Johnson &
Johnson, through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary JJC
Acquisition Company B.V. (the Offeror), for all of the issued and
outstanding ordinary shares (Ordinary Shares) in the capital of
Crucell, including all Ordinary Shares represented by American
depositary shares (ADSs), each ADS representing one Ordinary Share
(Ordinary Shares and ADSs are referred to herein as the Shares and
the holders of such Shares are referred to as the Shareholders) at
an offer price of euro 24.75 per
share (the Offer).
Johnson & Johnson will commence, through the Offeror, a
subsequent offering period to allow Shareholders who have not yet
accepted the Offer to tender their Shares, as further described
below. Johnson & Johnson encourages Shareholders who have
not yet accepted the Offer to do so immediately.
Highlights
- Johnson & Johnson declares the Offer
unconditional
- Share Acceptance Level is 95.24% of the issued and
outstanding share capital of Crucell
- Settlement of the Offer will take place on
25 February 2011
- Remaining Shares can be tendered in a Subsequent Offering
Period ending 8 March 2011
Offer unconditional
All conditions in connection with the Offer, as described in the
offer document dated 8 December 2010
(the Offer Document), have been satisfied. As a result, the
Offer is declared unconditional (gestanddoening).
Acceptances
As of the expiration of the initial offering period, the Shares
tendered in the Offer, together with Shares already held by the
Johnson & Johnson Group and the Shares to be acquired through
the purchase and exercise of options, amount to 84,520,377 Shares
(of which 12,774,957 are represented by ADSs), representing
approximately 95.21% of the issued share capital of Crucell (which
includes treasury shares held by Crucell) and 95.24% of the issued
and outstanding share capital of Crucell, in each case on a fully
diluted basis. 81,380 of ADSs tendered remain subject to the
guaranteed delivery procedures described in the Offer. All Shares
that were validly tendered (or defectively tendered provided that
such defect has been waived by the Offeror) and not properly
withdrawn, on the terms and subject to the conditions and
restrictions of the Offer, during the initial offering period have
been accepted for payment.
Settlement
In accordance with the terms of the Offer, Shareholders who
accepted the Offer and validly tendered (or defectively tendered
provided that such defect has been waived by the Offeror) their
Shares on the terms and subject to the conditions and restrictions
of the Offer prior to the expiration of the Offer will be paid on
25 February 2011, unforeseen
circumstances excepted (e.g., in the event of force majeure
impeding Settlement). Shareholders who accepted the Offer and
validly tendered (or defectively tendered provided that such defect
has been waived by the Offeror) Ordinary Shares on the terms and
subject to the conditions and restrictions of the Offer will be
paid euro 24.75 in cash, without
interest and less any applicable withholding taxes (the Offer
Price), in consideration of each Ordinary Share. Shareholders who
accepted the Offer and validly tendered (or defectively tendered
provided that such defect has been waived by the Offeror) ADSs on
the terms and subject to the conditions and restrictions of the
Offer will be paid an amount equal to the U.S. dollar equivalent of
the Offer Price, calculated by using the spot market exchange rate
for the U.S. dollar against the Euro on the date on which funds are
received by the U.S. Settlement Agent to pay for ADSs upon
completion of the Offer, in consideration of each ADS.
Subsequent Offering Period (na-aanmeldingstermijn)
Shareholders who have not yet accepted the Offer will have the
opportunity to tender their Shares in a subsequent offering period
(na-aanmeldingstermijn) commencing at 9:00 hours Dutch Time
(3:00 pm New York time), on 23
February 2011, and expiring at 17:45 Dutch Time (11:45 New
York Time), on 8 March 2011, for the
same consideration and subject to the same terms, conditions and
restrictions as described in the Offer Document.
During the subsequent offering period, the Offeror will accept
Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer and will pay for such Shares
promptly and, in any event within three business days following the
date on which such Shares are tendered. No proxies will be
solicited from Shareholders that tender Shares in the subsequent
offering period. Shareholders will not be able to withdraw
any Shares tendered during the subsequent offering period.
Implications of the Offer being declared
Unconditional
Shareholders who did not tender their Shares in the Offer should
carefully review sections 7.14 to 7.21 of the Offer Document, which
describe certain implications to which they will be subject when
the Offer is declared unconditional (gestanddoening) and
settled.
In addition, the Offeror intends, to the extent permitted under
applicable law and stock exchange regulations, to delist the
Ordinary Shares on Euronext Amsterdam and the Swiss Exchange and
the ADSs on NASDAQ as soon as reasonably practicable under
applicable rules and regulations.
These risks are in addition to the exposure of such Shareholders
to the risks inherent in the business of Crucell, as such business
and the structure of Crucell may change from time to time after the
settlement date.
Statutory Buy-Out Proceedings and Cancellation Post Offer
EGM
As the Offeror (together with its affiliates) will hold at least
95% of the Shares (excluding Shares held by Crucell or its
affiliates) upon the Settlement Date, the Offeror intends to
acquire the remaining Shares not tendered by means of buy-out
proceedings (uitkoopprocedure) in accordance with article
2:92a and/or 359c of the Dutch Civil Code, to be initiated as soon
as reasonably practicable under applicable rules and regulations.
Further details will follow as circumstances require.
Accordingly, the post-closing restructuring will no longer be
pursued and the Post Offer EGM will be cancelled by Crucell.
Additional Information
This joint press release is issued pursuant to the provisions of
Section 16 paragraph 1 and Section 17 paragraph 1 of the Dutch
Decree on Public Takeover Bids (Besluit openbare biedingen
Wft).
On 8 December 2010, the Offeror
commenced the Offer to acquire all of the Ordinary Shares in the
capital of Crucell, including all Ordinary Shares represented by
ADSs, on the terms and subject to the conditions and restrictions
contained in the Offer Document. Shareholders who accepted
the Offer and tendered Ordinary Shares will be paid, on the terms
and subject to the conditions and restrictions contained in the
Offer Document, the Offer Price in consideration of each Ordinary
Share. Shareholders who accepted the Offer and tendered ADSs
will be paid, on the terms and subject to the conditions and
restrictions contained in the Offer Document, an amount equal to
the U.S. dollar equivalent of the Offer Price, calculated by using
the spot market exchange rate for the U.S. dollar against the Euro
on the date on which funds are received by Computershare Trust
Company, N.A. to pay for ADSs upon completion of the Offer, in
consideration of each ADS. The Offer was declared
unconditional by Johnson & Johnson on February 22, 2011. The subsequent offering
period will commence at 9:00 hours Dutch Time (3:00 pm New York time), on 23 February 2011, and expire at 17:45 Dutch Time
(11:45 New York Time), on 8 March
2011, for the same consideration and subject to the same
terms, conditions and restrictions as described in the Offer
Document. This press release is neither an offer to purchase
nor a solicitation of an offer to sell shares of Crucell, nor shall
there be any sale or purchase of securities in any jurisdiction in
which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to
registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such
jurisdiction. The Offer is being made pursuant to the tender
offer statement on Schedule TO (including the Offer Document, a
related ADS letter of transmittal and tender and proxy form, and
other relevant materials) filed by the Offeror with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on 8 December 2010.
SHAREHOLDERS OF CRUCELL ARE URGED TO READ THESE AND OTHER
DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE
THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE OFFER. Copies of
Johnson & Johnson's filings with the SEC may be obtained at the
SEC's web site (www.sec.gov) or by directing a request to Johnson
& Johnson at Johnson & Johnson, One
Johnson & Johnson Plaza,
New Brunswick, NJ 08933,
U.S.A. (Attention: Corporate
Secretary's Office). The Offer Document is available free of
charge on the website of Crucell at www.crucell.com. Hard
copies of the Offer Document will also be available at the offices
of Crucell at Archimedesweg 4-6, 2333 CN Leiden, the Netherlands; at the offices of the Dutch
Settlement Agent, ING Bank N.V., Bijlmerdreef 888 1102 MG
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
(Attention: Sjoukje
Hollander/Remko Los),
telephone: + 31 20 563 6546 / + 31 20 563 6619, email:
iss.pas@ing.nl); and at the offices of the U.S. Settlement Agent,
Computershare Trust Company, N.A., 250 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021.
About Crucell
Crucell N.V. (NYSE Euronext, NASDAQ: CRXL; Swiss Exchange: CRX)
is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on research
development, production and marketing of vaccines, proteins and
antibodies that prevent and/or treat infectious diseases. In 2010
alone, Crucell distributed more than 105 million vaccine doses in
more than 100 countries around the world. Crucell is one of the
major suppliers of vaccines to UNICEF and the developing world.
Crucell was the first manufacturer to launch a fully-liquid
pentavalent vaccine. Called Quinvaxem®, this innovative combination
vaccine protects against five important childhood diseases. Over
180 million doses have been sold since its launch in 2006 in more
than 50 GAVI countries. With this innovation, Crucell has become a
major partner in protecting children in developing countries. Other
products in Crucell's core portfolio include a vaccine against
hepatitis B and a virosome-adjuvanted vaccine against influenza.
Crucell also markets travel vaccines, such as an oral anti-typhoid
vaccine, an oral cholera vaccine and the only aluminum-free
hepatitis A vaccine on the market. Crucell has a broad development
pipeline, with several product candidates based on its unique
PER.C6® production technology. Crucell licenses its PER.C6®
technology and other technologies to the biopharmaceutical
industry. Important partners and licensees include Johnson &
Johnson, DSM Biologics, sanofi-aventis, Novartis, Pfizer/Wyeth,
GSK, CSL and Merck & Co. Crucell is headquartered in Leiden,
the Netherlands, with offices in
China, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, the USA and Vietnam. Crucell employs over 1300 people. For
more information, please visit www.crucell.com.
About Johnson & Johnson
Caring for the world, one person at a time…inspires and unites
the people of Johnson & Johnson. We embrace research and
science – bringing innovative ideas, products and services to
advance the health and well-being of people. Our approximately
114,000 employees at more than 250 Johnson & Johnson companies
work with partners in health care to touch the lives of over a
billion people every day throughout the world.
Forward-looking statements
(This press release contains "forward-looking statements". All
statements other than statements of historical fact are statements
that could be deemed forward-looking statements. These statements
are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying
assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties
materialize, actual results could vary materially from Johnson
& Johnson's and Crucell's expectations and projections. Risks
and uncertainties include general industry conditions and
competition; general domestic and international economic
conditions, such as interest rate and currency exchange rate
fluctuations; technological advances and patents attained by
competitors; challenges inherent in new product development,
including obtaining regulatory approvals; domestic and foreign
health care reforms and governmental laws and regulations affecting
domestic and foreign operations; and trends toward health care cost
containment. In addition, if and when the transaction is
consummated, there will be risks and uncertainties related to
Johnson & Johnson's ability to successfully integrate the
products and employees of Johnson & Johnson and Crucell as well
as the ability to ensure continued performance or market growth of
Crucell's products. A further list and description of these risks,
uncertainties and other factors and the general risks associated
with the respective businesses of Johnson & Johnson and Crucell
can be found in Exhibit 99 of Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 3
January 2010, and Crucell's Annual Report/ Form 20-F for the
fiscal year ended 31 December 2009,
as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on
7 April 2010, as well as other
subsequent filings. Crucell prepares its financial statements under
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Copies of these
filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com,
www.crucell.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson or
Crucell. Neither Johnson & Johnson nor Crucell undertakes to
update any forward-looking statements as a result of new
information or future events or developments.)
For further information please
contact:
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Crucell N.V. - Media &
Investors
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Oya Yavuz
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Vice President Corporate
Communications & Investor Relations
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Tel. +31 (0)71 519
7064
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ir@crucell.com
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www.crucell.com
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Johnson & Johnson –
Media
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Karen Manson
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Bill Price
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Mob. + 32 479 89 47
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Tel. +1 (732) 524
6623
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Mob. +1 (732) 668
3735
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Johnson & Johnson –
Investors
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Louise Mehrotra
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Stan Panasewicz
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Tel. +1 (732) 524
6491
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Tel. +1 (732) 524
2524
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SOURCE Johnson & Johnson