Pfizer (PFE) and Allergan (AGN) Receive Request for Additional Information from FTC Over Merger

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Pfizer and Allergan Receive Request for Additional Information from Federal Trade Commission Regarding Proposed Combination

  • The request was fully anticipated as part of the regulatory process
  • Pfizer and Allergan continue to expect the transaction to close in the second half of 2016

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) and Allergan plc (NYSE:AGN) today announced that the companies have received a request for additional information from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) with respect to their previously announced pending combination. The request for information from the FTC, often referred to as a “second request,” was fully anticipated as part of the regulatory process under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (“HSR Act”).

“Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results”

The companies continue to work cooperatively and expeditiously with the FTC in connection with its review. Completion of the transaction remains subject to the expiration of the waiting period under the HSR Act and certain other conditions, including governmental and regulatory approvals in certain other jurisdictions, including the EU, the receipt of necessary approvals from both Pfizer and Allergan shareholders, and the completion of Allergan’s pending divestiture of its generics business to Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. Pfizer and Allergan continue to expect the transaction to close in the second half of 2016.

About Pfizer Inc.

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products. Our global portfolio includes medicines and vaccines as well as many of the world’s best-known consumer health care products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world’s premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. For more information, please visit us at www.pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer_News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer.

About Allergan

Allergan plc (NYSE:AGN), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a unique, global pharmaceutical company and a leader in a new industry model – Growth Pharma. Allergan is focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing innovative branded pharmaceuticals, high-quality generic and over-the-counter medicines and biologic products for patients around the world. Allergan markets a portfolio of best-in-class products that provide valuable treatments for the central nervous system, eye care, medical aesthetics, gastroenterology, women’s health, urology, cardiovascular and anti-infective therapeutic categories, and operates the world’s third-largest global generics business, providing patients around the globe with increased access to affordable, high-quality medicines. Allergan is an industry leader in research and development, with one of the broadest development pipelines in the pharmaceutical industry and a leading position in the submission of generic product applications globally.

With commercial operations in approximately 100 countries, Allergan is committed to working with physicians, healthcare providers and patients to deliver innovative and meaningful treatments that help people around the world live longer, healthier lives.

For more information, visit Allergan’s website at www.allergan.com.

 

……………..IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION HAS BEEN AND WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC

In connection with the proposed transaction between Pfizer Inc. (“Pfizer”) and Allergan plc (“Allergan”), Allergan has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 that includes a Joint Proxy Statement of Pfizer and Allergan that also constitutes a Prospectus of Allergan (the “Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus”). The registration statement has not yet become effective and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus included therein is in preliminary form. Pfizer and Allergan plan to mail to their respective shareholders the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus in connection with the transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF PFIZER AND ALLERGAN ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PFIZER, ALLERGAN, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by Pfizer and Allergan (when available) through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Pfizer by contacting Pfizer Investor Relations at Bryan.Dunn@pfizer.com or by calling (212) 733-8917, and may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Allergan by contacting Allergan Investor Relations at [email protected] or by calling (862) 261-7488.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION

Pfizer, Allergan and certain of their respective directors, 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 respective shareholders of Pfizer and Allergan in connection with the proposed transactions, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Information regarding Pfizer’s directors and executive officers is contained in Pfizer’s proxy statement for its 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 15, 2016, and certain of Pfizer’s Current Reports on Form 8-K. Information regarding Allergan’s directors and executive officers is contained in Allergan’s proxy statement for its 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 25, 2016, and certain of Allergan’s Current Reports on Form 8-K.

 

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Applicability of the Irish Takeover Rules

As the transaction constitutes a “reverse takeover transaction” for the purposes of the Irish Takeover Panel Act, 1997, Takeover Rules, 2013, (the “Irish Takeover Rules”), Allergan is no longer in an offer period and therefore Rule 8 of the Irish Takeover Rules does not apply to the transaction from the date of the announcement of the transaction and therefore there is no longer a requirement to make dealing disclosures pursuant to Rule 8.

Statement Required by the Irish Takeover Rules

The directors of Pfizer accept responsibility for the information contained in this communication other than that relating to Allergan and the Allergan group of companies and the directors of Allergan and members of their immediate families, related trusts and persons connected with them. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the directors of Pfizer (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in this communication for which they accept responsibility is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.

The directors of Allergan accept responsibility for the information contained in this communication relating to Allergan and the directors of Allergan and members of their immediate families, related trusts and persons connected with them. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the directors of Allergan (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure such is the case), the information contained in this communication for which they accept responsibility is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.

Goldman Sachs International, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the United Kingdom, and its affiliate, Goldman, Sachs & Co, are acting as joint financial adviser to Pfizer and no one else in connection with the proposed transaction. In connection with the proposed transaction, Goldman Sachs International and Goldman, Sachs & Co, their affiliates and their respective partners, directors, officers, employees and agents will not regard any other person as their client, nor will they be responsible to anyone other than Pfizer for providing the protections afforded to their clients or for giving advice in connection with the proposed transaction or any other matter referred to in this announcement.

Guggenheim Securities, LLC is a broker dealer registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and is acting as financial advisor to Pfizer and no one else in connection with the proposed transaction. In connection with the proposed transaction, Guggenheim Securities, LLC, its affiliates and related entities and its and their respective partners, directors, officers, employees and agents will not regard any other person as their client, nor will they be responsible to anyone other than Pfizer for providing the protections afforded to their clients or for giving advice in connection with the proposed transaction or any other matter referred to in this announcement.

J.P. Morgan Limited (which conducts its UK investment banking business as J.P. Morgan Cazenove) (“J.P. Morgan”), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting as financial adviser exclusively for Allergan and no one else in connection with the matters set out in this announcement and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the matters in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Allergan for providing the protections afforded to clients of J.P. Morgan or its affiliates, nor for providing advice in relation to any matter referred to herein.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC acting through its affiliate, Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc, is financial advisor to Allergan and no one else in connection with the matters referred to in this announcement. In connection with such matters, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc, each of their affiliates and each of their and their affiliates’ respective directors, officers, employees and agents will not regard any other person as their client, nor will they be responsible to any other person other than Allergan for providing the protections afforded to their clients or for providing advice in connection with the contents of this announcement or any other matter referred to herein.

Unless otherwise defined, capitalised terms used in this Statement Required by the Irish Takeover Rules shall have the meaning given to them in the transaction-related press release issued by Pfizer and Allergan on November 23, 2015.

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

All content in these materials may be subject to completion of works council and / or trade union consultations and other local legal requirements.

Pfizer – Contacts

Pfizer:
Investors
Ryan Crowe, 212-733-8160
or
Bryan Dunn, 212-733-8917
or
Media
Joan Campion, 212-733-2798
or
Andrew Topen, 212-733-1338
or
Allergan:
Investors
Lisa DeFrancesco, (862) 261-7152
or
Media
Mark Marmur, (862) 261-7558

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