Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) said today that it controls nearly 78% of voting rights in its $30 billion acquisition of Swiss biotech firm Actelion (VTX:ATLN). Janssen, J&J’s Swiss subsidiary, declared the tender offer successful.
The company added that based on regulatory approval proceedings, the offer is expected to settle in the 2nd quarter of this year.
J&J will have 10 more trading days, between April 6 and April 21, for the subsequent acceptance of the tender offer, according to the company.
As part of the transaction, Actelion plans to spin out its drug discovery branch and early-stage clinical development assets into a Swiss biopharmaceutical company called Idorsia Ltd, led by Actelion CEO Jean-Paul Clozel. Shares in Idorsia are expected to list on the SIX Swiss Exchange on the day of the tender offer’s settlement.
J&J will initially hold 16% of Idorsia shares, the U.S. healthcare giant said. It plans to de-list Actelion.
The 2 companies were in talks for months before reaching the all-cash deal in January. Sanofi (NYSE:SNY) was also involved in discussions for Actelion, but was sidelined after J&J entered into exclusive negotiations with Actelion last year.
Clozel has repeatedly maintained his company’s independence – in 2011, he rallied shareholders against a hedge fund’s attempt to sell the firm and 4 years later, he fought off interest from drugmaker Shire.
ATLN shares were trading at $282.90 apiece today, up 1.2%.
