Jubilant To Acquire Draxis Health
Jubilant Organosys Ltd. ("Jubilant") and DRAXIS Health Inc. ("DRAXIS") recently announced that they have entered into an arrangement agreement whereby a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jubilant Organosys Ltd. ("Jubilant") will acquire all the outstanding common shares of DRAXIS at a price of US$6.00 per share in cash by way of a plan of arrangement. The total value of this transaction is approximately US$255M.
The purchase price represents a 22.4% premium over yesterday's closing price of DRAXIS's shares on NASDAQ and a 41.2% premium over the closing price of DRAXIS's common shares on NASDAQ on March 13, 2008, the last trading day on NASDAQ prior to the request by securities regulators to explain increased trading in DRAXIS's common stock on March 14, 2008.
The transaction was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of DRAXIS on April 4th, 2008 following receipt of the recommendation of its Special Committee. DRAXIS's Board has resolved to recommend to its shareholders that they vote in favor of the transaction on the basis that it creates immediate value for DRAXIS shareholders. As well, the Board expects the transaction to provide operational and technical resources to accelerate the growth of DRAXIS's business and its customer base.
Commenting on the acquisition, Mr. Shyam S. Bhartia, Chairman & Managing Director and Mr. Hari S. Bhartia, Co-Chairman & Managing Director of Jubilant Organosys Ltd. said, "DRAXIS represents a unique opportunity in the North American market, offering Jubilant entry into the attractive, regulated, high growth and high margin radiopharmaceutical business. It also enables Jubilant to consolidate its position in the sterile and non-sterile contract manufacturing business. With this acquisition Jubilant will become one of the leading providers of contract manufacturing of small volume parenterals to large pharmaceuticals and biotech companies in North America. DRAXIS has an excellent regulatory track record, with its management and employees having a wealth of experience and expertise in radiopharmaceuticals and contract manufacturing. Jubilant is committed to grow DRAXIS by supporting management and employees through new product launches, entry into new markets and expansion of customer base."
About the Transaction
The transaction will be carried out by way of a statutory plan of arrangement pursuant to the Canada Business Corporations Act and must be approved by the Quebec Superior Court and the affirmative vote of DRAXIS's shareholders at a special meeting of shareholders.
The proposed transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2008, shortly after receipt of shareholder and court approvals.
The completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.
The arrangement agreement contains customary non-solicitation provisions, but permits DRAXIS, in certain circumstances, to terminate the arrangement and accept an unsolicited superior proposal, subject to fulfilling certain conditions. DRAXIS has agreed to pay Jubilant a break fee of $10.5 million in such circumstances and certain other limited circumstances if the transaction is not completed.
Jubilant plans to fund the acquisition through a combination of cash-on-hand and debt. The transaction is not contingent on any financing condition.
Details regarding these and other terms of the transaction are set out in the arrangement agreement, which will be filed by DRAXIS on the Canadian SEDAR website at www.sedar.com and at the SEC's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.
Further information regarding the transaction will be contained in a proxy circular that DRAXIS will prepare and mail to holders of common shares in connection with the special meeting of shareholders to be held to approve the transaction. It is expected that these materials will be mailed in April 2008 for a meeting to be held in May 2008. Once mailed, the proxy circular will be available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov. All shareholders are urged to read the proxy circular once it is available.
Banc of America Securities Canada Co. has acted as financial advisor to DRAXIS and McCarthy Tetrault LLP is legal counsel to DRAXIS. Fasken Martineau is legal counsel to the Special Committee of the Board. Lazard has acted as financial advisor to Jubilant and Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP is acting as legal counsel to Jubilant.
About Jubilant
Jubilant Organosys Ltd. is an integrated pharmaceutical industry player, one of the largest custom research and manufacturing services (CRAMS) and drug discovery and development services companies out of India. The company has a presence across the pharmaceutical value chain for products and services such as exclusive synthesis, contract manufacturing, proprietary products, active pharmaceutical ingredients, generic dosage forms, drug discovery services, drug development services, chemistry services, clinical research services.
Jubilant Organosys has geographically diversified manufacturing facilities at eight locations: Gajraula (UP), Nanjangud (Karnataka), Roorkee (Uttarakhand), Nira (Maharashtra), Udaipur (Rajasthan), Samlaya (Gujrat), Salisbury, state of Maryland (USA), Spokane, state of Washington (USA). Together, these help Jubilant cater to more than 130 global customers across more than 50 countries around the world.
For additional information please visit www.jubl.com
About DRAXIS
DRAXIS Health, through its wholly owned operating subsidiary, DRAXIS Specialty Pharmaceuticals Inc., provides products in three categories: sterile products, non-sterile products and radiopharmaceuticals. Sterile products include liquid and freeze-dried (lyophilized) injectables plus sterile ointments and creams. Non-sterile products are produced as solid oral and semi-solid dosage forms. Radiopharmaceuticals are used for both therapeutic and diagnostic molecular imaging applications. Pharmaceutical contract manufacturing services are provided through the DRAXIS Pharma division and radiopharmaceuticals are developed, produced, and sold through the DRAXIMAGE division. DRAXIS employs approximately 500 staff in its Montreal facility.
For additional information please visit www.draxis.com.
SOURCE: Jubilant Organosys Ltd. and DRAXIS Health Inc.