DUBLIN and NEW YORK, May 5,
2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Actavis plc (NYSE: ACT) and Forest
Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX) today announced that the
registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") by Actavis plc on March 25, 2014 and amended on May 2, 2014 (the "Form S-4"), which includes a
joint proxy statement of Actavis and Forest, was declared effective
on May 2, 2014. The Form S-4 is
available on the SEC's EDGAR system, and may be accessed at
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1578845/000119312514178606/d686059ds4a.htm.
The companies also announced that they have each scheduled
shareholder meetings for Tuesday, June 17,
2014 in connection with Actavis' pending acquisition of
Forest.
Actavis' special meeting of shareholders will be held on
June 17, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. local time, at 1 Grand Canal Square,
Docklands, Dublin 2,
Ireland. Forest's special meeting of shareholders will be
held on June 17, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. local time, at J.P. Morgan, 270 Park
Avenue, New York, New York.
Both meetings are being held to seek shareholders' approval in
connection with the merger and related matters. Each
company's shareholders of record as of the close of business on
May 2, 2014 are entitled to vote at
their respective meetings.
Actavis and Forest expect to begin mailing a joint proxy
statement/prospectus to their respective shareholders in the coming
days. This joint proxy statement/prospectus will provide
information for shareholders of both companies, as well as
instructions for shareholders on voting.
About Actavis
Actavis plc (NYSE: ACT) is a global, integrated specialty
pharmaceutical company focused on developing, manufacturing and
distributing generic, brand and biosimilar products. Actavis
has global headquarters in Dublin,
Ireland and U.S. administrative headquarters in Parsippany, New Jersey, USA.
Actavis develops and manufactures generic, brand, branded
generic, legacy brands and Over-the-Counter (OTC) pharmaceutical
products and has commercial operations in approximately 60
countries. The Company's North American branded
pharmaceuticals business is focused principally in the Women's
Health, Urology, Gastroenterology and Dermatology therapeutic
categories with a strong pipeline of products in various stages of
development. Actavis also has a portfolio of five biosimilar
products in development in Women's Health and Oncology.
Actavis Global Operations has more than 30 manufacturing and
distribution facilities around the world, and includes Anda, Inc.,
a U.S. pharmaceutical product distributor.
For press release and other company information, visit Actavis'
Web site at http://www.actavis.com.
About Forest
Forest Laboratories (NYSE:FRX) is a leading, fully integrated,
specialty pharmaceutical company largely focused on the United States market. Forest markets a
portfolio of branded drug products and develops new medicines to
treat patients suffering from diseases principally in five
therapeutic areas: central nervous system, cardiovascular,
gastrointestinal, respiratory, and anti-infective. Forest's
strategy of acquiring product rights for development and
commercialization through licensing, collaborative partnerships and
targeted mergers and acquisitions allows Forest to take advantage
of attractive late-stage development and commercial opportunities,
thereby managing the risks inherent in drug development. In
January 2014, Forest acquired Aptalis
Pharmaceuticals for $2.9 billion in
cash in order to gain access to its GI and Cystic Fibrosis
products, including treatments for Ulcerative Proctitis, Duodenal
Ulcers, H. Pylori, Anal Fissures, and Pancreatic Insufficiency. In
February 2014, Forest and Actavis plc
announced an agreement where Forest would be acquired for about
$25 billion in cash and stock. The
acquisition of Forest by Actavis is contingent upon regulatory and
shareholder approvals.
Forest is headquartered in New York,
NY. To learn more, visit www.frx.com.
Important Information for Investors and Shareholders
This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of
any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale 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. In connection with the
proposed merger between Actavis and Forest, Actavis has filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a registration
statement on Form S-4 containing a joint proxy statement of Actavis
and Forest that also constitutes a prospectus of Actavis. The
registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on
May 2, 2014. In the coming
days, each of Actavis and Forest will mail to its stockholders or
shareholders the proxy statement/prospectus. In addition,
each of Actavis and Forest will file with the SEC other documents
with respect to the proposed transaction. INVESTORS AND
SECURITY HOLDERS OF ACTAVIS AND FOREST ARE URGED TO READ THE
DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS
THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY
WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain
free copies of the registration statement and the definitive joint
proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other documents
filed with the SEC by Actavis and Forest through the website
maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the
documents filed with the SEC by Actavis will be available free of
charge on Actavis' internet website at www.actavis.com or by
contacting Actavis' Investor Relations Department at (862)
261-7488. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Forest will
be available free of charge on Forest's internet website at
www.frx.com or by contacting Forest's Investor Relations Department
at (212) 224-6713.
Participants in the Merger Solicitation
Actavis, Forest, their respective directors and certain of their
executive officers and employees may be considered participants in
the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed
transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the
rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the
Actavis and Forest shareholders in connection with the proposed
merger will be set forth in the joint proxy statement/prospectus
when it is filed with the SEC. Information about the directors and
executive officers of Forest is set forth in its proxy statement
for its 2013 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with
the SEC on July 8, 2013 and certain
of its Current Reports on Form 8-K. Information about the directors
and executive officers of Actavis is set forth in its proxy
statement for its 2013 annual meeting of stockholders, which was
filed with the SEC on March 29, 2013
and certain of its Current Reports on Form 8-K. Additional
information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitations
and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by
security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the joint
proxy statement/prospectus filed with the above-referenced
registration statement on Form S-4 and other relevant materials to
be filed with the SEC when they become available.
Actavis Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
Statements contained in this communication that refer to
Actavis' estimated or anticipated future results, including
estimated synergies, or other non-historical facts are
forward-looking statements that reflect Actavis' current
perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of
this communication. Forward looking statements generally will be
accompanied by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan,"
"could," "should," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "outlook,"
"guidance," "intend," "may," "might," "will," "possible,"
"potential," "predict," "project," or other similar words, phrases
or expressions. Such forward-looking statements include, but are
not limited to, statements about the benefits of the Forest
acquisition, including future financial and operating results,
Actavis' or Forest's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions
and the expected timing of completion of the transaction. It is
important to note that Actavis' goals and expectations are not
predictions of actual performance. Actual results may differ
materially from Actavis' current expectations depending upon a
number of factors affecting Actavis' business, Forest's business
and risks associated with acquisition transactions. These factors
include, among others, the inherent uncertainty associated with
financial projections; restructuring in connection with, and
successful closing of, the Forest acquisition; subsequent
integration of the Forest acquisition and the ability to recognize
the anticipated synergies and benefits of the Forest acquisition;
the ability to obtain required regulatory approvals for the
transaction (including the approval of antitrust authorities
necessary to complete the acquisition), the timing of obtaining
such approvals and the risk that such approvals may result in the
imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined
company or the expected benefits of the transaction; the ability to
obtain the requisite Forest and Actavis shareholder approvals; the
risk that a condition to closing of the Forest acquisition may not
be satisfied on a timely basis or at all; the failure of the
proposed transaction to close for any other reason; risks relating
to the value of the Actavis shares to be issued in the transaction;
the anticipated size of the markets and continued demand for
Actavis' and Forest's products; the impact of competitive products
and pricing; access to available financing (including financing for
the acquisition or refinancing of Actavis or Forest debt) on a
timely basis and on reasonable terms; the risks of fluctuations in
foreign currency exchange rates; the risks and uncertainties
normally incident to the pharmaceutical industry, including product
liability claims and the availability of product liability
insurance on reasonable terms; the difficulty of predicting the
timing or outcome of pending or future litigation or government
investigations; periodic dependence on a small number of products
for a material source of net revenue or income; variability of
trade buying patterns; changes in generally accepted accounting
principles; risks that the carrying values of assets may be
negatively impacted by future events and circumstances; the timing
and success of product launches; the difficulty of predicting the
timing or outcome of product development efforts and regulatory
agency approvals or actions, if any; market acceptance of and
continued demand for Actavis' and Forest's products; costs and
efforts to defend or enforce intellectual property rights;
difficulties or delays in manufacturing; the availability and
pricing of third party sourced products and materials; successful
compliance with governmental regulations applicable to Actavis' and
Forest's facilities, products and/or businesses; changes in the
laws and regulations affecting, among other things, pricing and
reimbursement of pharmaceutical products; changes in tax laws or
interpretations that could increase Actavis' consolidated tax
liabilities; the loss of key senior management or scientific staff;
and such other risks and uncertainties detailed in Actavis'
periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including but not limited to Actavis plc's Annual
Report on form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and from time to time in
Actavis' other investor communications. Except as expressly
required by law, Actavis disclaims any intent or obligation to
update or revise these forward-looking statements.
Forest Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, statements about the benefits of the acquisition of
Forest by Actavis, including future financial and operating
results, Forest's or Actavis' plans, objectives, expectations and
intentions and the expected timing of completion of the
transaction. It is important to note that Forest's goals and
expectations are not predictions of actual performance. Actual
results may differ materially from Forest's current expectations
depending upon a number of factors affecting Forest's business,
Actavis' business and risks associated with acquisition
transactions. These factors include, among others, the inherent
uncertainty associated with financial projections; restructuring in
connection with, and successful closing of, the acquisition;
subsequent integration of the companies and the ability to
recognize the anticipated synergies and benefits of the
acquisition; the ability to obtain required regulatory approvals
for the transaction (including the approval of antitrust
authorities necessary to complete the acquisition), the timing of
obtaining such approvals and the risk that such approvals may
result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect
the combined company or the expected benefits of the transaction;
the ability to obtain the requisite Forest and Actavis shareholder
approvals; the risk that a condition to closing of the acquisition
may not be satisfied on a timely basis or at all; the failure of
the proposed transaction to close for any other reason; risks
relating to the value of the Actavis shares to be issued in the
transaction; access to available financing (including financing for
the acquisition or refinancing of Forest or Actavis debt) on a
timely basis and on reasonable terms; the difficulty of predicting
FDA approvals, the acceptance and demand for new pharmaceutical
products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the
timely development and launch of new products, and the risk factors
listed from time to time in Forest Laboratories' Annual Report on
Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any subsequent SEC
filings. Forest assumes no obligation to update
forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect new
information or future events or developments.
CONTACTS:
Actavis:
Investors:
Lisa
DeFrancesco
(862) 261-7152
Media:
Charlie Mayr
(862) 261-8030
David Belian
(862) 261-8141
Forest:
Investors:
Frank J. Murdolo
(212) 224-6714
Media:
Amanda
Kaufman
(646) 231-7316
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SOURCE Actavis plc