AstraZeneca to Acquire Bristol-Myers Squibb Share of Global Diabetes Alliance Assets

AstraZeneca has announced an agreement under which AstraZeneca will acquire the entirety of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (BMS) interests in the companies’ diabetes alliance for an initial consideration of $2.7 billion on completion and up to $1.4 billion in regulatory, launch and sales-related payments.

AstraZeneca has also agreed to pay various sales-related royalty payments up until 2025. In addition, AstraZeneca may make payments up to $225 million when certain assets are subsequently transferred.

Upon completion of the transaction, AstraZeneca will own intellectual property and global rights for the development, manufacture and commercialisation of the diabetes business, which includes Onglyza (saxagliptin), Kombiglyze XR (saxagliptin and metformin HCl extended release), Komboglyze (saxagliptin and metformin HCl), dapagliflozin (marketed as Forxiga outside the US), Byetta (exenatide), Bydureon (exenatide extended-release for injectable suspension), metreleptin and Symlin (pramlintide acetate).

The transaction will consolidate worldwide ownership of the diabetes business within AstraZeneca leveraging its primary and specialty care capabilities and its geographical reach, especially in emerging markets. The agreement reinforces AstraZeneca’s long-term commitment to patients with diabetes, a core strategic area and an important platform for returning AstraZeneca to growth.

Based on the anticipated timing of the close, the transaction will have no impact on AstraZeneca’s guidance for Core EPS for 2013. The company expects the transaction when implemented to be neutral to Core EPS in 2014. AstraZeneca reaffirms its commitment to its progressive dividend policy. AstraZeneca intends to finance the transaction from existing cash resources and short-term credit facilities.

AstraZeneca and BMS anticipate that subject to local consultation and legislation, approximately 4100 BMS employees dedicated to the diabetes business, including those at Amylin, will eventually transition to AstraZeneca. With time, AstraZeneca will also become responsible for the manufacturing and supply chain of the full portfolio of diabetes products. BMS will continue to deliver specified clinical trials in line with the ongoing clinical trial plan. A number of R&D and manufacturing employees dedicated to diabetes will remain with BMS to progress the diabetes portfolio and support the transition for these areas.

Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca said: “Diabetes is rapidly becoming a global challenge of epidemic proportions that is expected to affect more than 550 million people by 2030. Much of this impact will be felt in emerging markets where AstraZeneca has a strong presence. In recent years we’ve worked with our alliance partners at BMS to develop an innovative portfolio of non-insulin anti-diabetic medicines that help address the needs of these patients.

“Together with BMS we concluded that consolidating ownership of the diabetes portfolio would benefit both companies and allow us to better serve the needs of diabetic patients. This announcement reinforces AstraZeneca’s long-term commitment to diabetes, a core strategic area for us and an important platform for returning AstraZeneca to growth. I would like to extend a warm welcome to the BMS people who are due to join us. My colleagues and I look forward to working with them.”

For the purposes of the UK Listing Authority’s Listing Rule LR 10.4.1 R (Notification of class 2 transactions), the fair value of gross assets acquired with the transaction is estimated to be $8.3 billion and, in view of the late stage development and launch phase of several of the products, an estimated reported pre-tax loss of $400 million was attributable to these assets in 2012.

The transaction is subject to customary terms and conditions, including the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, and is expected to become effective in January 2014.