Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

Merz Acquires BFRM for $5.45/sh in Cash

[Merz, a private biotech company based in Germany, is paying a 60% premium to BFRM’s closing price on 12/31/09.

BFRM is a one-product company, but that one product—Radiesse—is a good one. I would go so far as to say that, although Radiesse has only a low-teens market share in the US, it is technically the best dermal filler on the market today by a wide margin. (Radiesse’s only drawback is that it can’t be used for lips, but this is a relatively small portion of the market.)

BFRM is not yet profitable, but it has made excellent strides toward profitability despite the soft market for cosmetic procedures during the past 18 months (#msg-40773884). I figured BFRM might eventually be a buyout target for JNJ because JNJ recently dropped its dermal filler, Evolence (#msg-43629549); however, Merz may be an even ever fit for BFRM insofar as Merz will now have the benefit of marketing both a botulinum toxin (Zeomin, which is a better product than Botox, IMO) and a dermal filler. (JNJ’s own botulinum toxin, PurTox, is similar to Zeomin but is still a couple of years away from reaching the market.)]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Merz-to-Acquire-BioForm-pz-2986608557.html/print?x=0

›Monday January 4, 2010, 6:30 am

FRANKFURT, Germany and SAN MATEO, Calif., Jan. 4, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merz Pharma Group ("Merz"), a privately-held company based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and BioForm Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: BFRM) today announced that the Board of Directors of BioForm Medical and the Merz Shareholders Council have unanimously approved a definitive agreement under which Merz will acquire all of the outstanding shares of BioForm Medical for US$5.45 per share in cash pursuant to a cash tender offer followed by a second-step merger. The transaction has a total equity value of approximately US$253 million based on BioForm Medical's outstanding shares of common stock.

The US$5.45 per share cash purchase price represents a premium of 55% over BioForm Medical's 30-day average closing stock price, and a premium of 60% over the closing price of BioForm Medical's common stock on December 31, 2009, the last trading day prior to today's announcement.

This transaction advances Merz's strategy of becoming a leading player in aesthetic medicine, a fast growing, multi-billion dollar global market. BioForm Medical is a leader in the dermal filler market in the United States and Europe with its flagship product, RADIESSE dermal filler. Following completion of the transaction, BioForm Medical will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merz and will be renamed Merz Aesthetics. With BioForm Medical, the new Merz Aesthetics will be distinguished in the marketplace by its ability to offer dermal fillers based on three distinct technologies: RADIESSE dermal filler, Belotero and Novabel. With this broader dermal filler product offering and other innovative aesthetics products under development, including Polidocanol, a sclerotherapy agent, and Bocouture/XEOMIN, a neurotoxin free of complexing protein, the combined company will be positioned to enable healthcare professionals to achieve excellent patient results and satisfaction.

"We are pleased with this transaction, which has been strongly supported by Merz shareholders. Together with BioForm Medical, we will have even greater potential for future growth in our worldwide, fast growing aesthetics and dermatological business," said Dr. Jochen Huckmann, Chairman of the Merz Shareholders Council. "We are delighted to welcome BioForm Medical to our company and expect them to be an important part of Merz's continued growth and success."

"This transaction strengthens our operating foundation and builds on Merz's history of providing innovative and effective products to the aesthetic medical community and the patients we serve," said Dr. Martin Zugel, Chairman of the Merz Management Board. "With BioForm Medical, we expand our product offering in the high-growth aesthetic market and increase our direct commercial presence in the United States and Europe. Through the addition of BioForm Medical's experienced commercial organization, we will be able to offer healthcare providers a broader range of high quality aesthetic treatment options, further enhancing Merz's customer relationships and our competitive position."

"After thorough and extensive analysis, the BioForm Medical Board of Directors unanimously approved this transaction with Merz, recognizing that it provides significant immediate value to our stockholders and is also in the best interests of our customers and employees," said Steve Basta, Chief Executive Officer of BioForm Medical. "We are pleased to join Merz. I believe this combination offers a platform for future growth as well as expanded opportunities for our employees and our company as a whole. I am confident that with Merz's expertise, resources, product portfolio and pipeline, we will be better positioned to develop and market the solutions our customers need. We look forward to working closely with the Merz team to ensure a smooth transition and complete the transaction as expeditiously as possible."

BioForm Medical will maintain its headquarters in San Mateo, California, and its manufacturing, distribution and other operations in Franksville, Wisconsin. BioForm Medical's Asia operations as well as its Netherlands operation, including its European sales team, will also become part of Merz Aesthetics. Merz Pharmaceuticals' U.S. Pharmaceutical operations with its Clinical Dermatology and Neurology Business units will remain in Greensboro, North Carolina, with the U.S. aesthetics commercial organization led from San Mateo.

Mr. Basta and BioForm Medical's management team and employees are expected to remain with the Company following completion of the transaction. Mr. Basta will serve as CEO of Merz Aesthetics U.S.

Transaction Summary

In January 2010, a wholly-owned acquisition subsidiary of Merz will commence a tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of BioForm Medical common stock for US$5.45 per share, net to the seller in cash, without interest and less any required tax withholding. The Board of Directors of BioForm Medical has resolved to recommend to BioForm Medical's stockholders that they tender their shares pursuant to the tender offer.

Following completion of the tender offer, Merz's acquisition subsidiary will merge with BioForm Medical, with BioForm Medical surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merz. Following the tender offer, Merz will commence a second-step merger in which any remaining BioForm Medical stockholders will receive the same price per share paid in the tender offer.

The transaction, which is expected to close in the first quarter of calendar year 2010, is conditioned on the tender of a majority of the outstanding shares of BioForm Medical common stock as well as regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The transaction is not subject to financing.

Members of BioForm Medical's Board of Directors and management team (and related entities), who collectively own approximately 26% of BioForm Medical's outstanding shares of common stock, including Essex Woodlands Health Ventures, the Company's largest stockholder which owns approximately 15% of BioForm Medical's outstanding shares, have entered into agreements with Merz pursuant to which they have agreed to tender their shares in the Merz tender offer.

Advisors

Piper Jaffray & Co. is serving as financial advisor to Merz, and Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP is serving as legal counsel. J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. is serving as financial advisor to BioForm Medical, and Ropes & Gray LLP is serving as legal counsel.

About BioForm Medical, Inc.

BioForm Medical, Inc. is a medical aesthetics company headquartered in San Mateo, California, developing products that enhance aesthetic procedures performed in dermatology and plastic surgery practices. BioForm Medical's lead product is RADIESSE dermal filler, a long-lasting filler for use in facial aesthetics. BioForm Medical is developing several future aesthetics products, including a radiofrequency treatment to reduce nerve function in the forehead, a sclerotherapy treatment for spider veins, and a surgical adhesive for brow lifts. For more information about BioForm Medical, please visit www.bioform.com.

About the Merz Pharma Group

Merz's focus is on drugs for treating neurological and psychiatric conditions and holds a leading position in the field of Alzheimer's research. With memantine, Merz has developed the first active ingredient in the world for treating moderate to severe cases of Alzheimer's. Worldwide, memantine is the second best-selling drug for treating Alzheimer's. Another core competency of Merz lies in clinical and aesthetic dermatology. In addition to pharmaceuticals, Merz also serves the non-pharmacy related healthcare sector. In the Consumer Products segment, Merz Consumer Care is the leading provider of OTC medication, dietary supplements and skincare products in the German-speaking countries with its well-known tetesept and Merz Spezial brands. The Merz Pharma Group is an affiliate of Merz Group, a German based family held group of companies that also owns Senator, a leading promotional products manufacturer. The Merz Pharma Group employs 1,745 people worldwide (prior year: 1,619). The Company generated revenue of EUR 589.8 million (US$828.7 million) in the fiscal year 2008/09 (prior year: EUR 546.5 million / US$863.5 million.‹