In 2013, the stock prices of U.S. acquiring companies rose 4%, on average, from the day before a deal was announced until the day after announcement, according to Dealogic. In 2014, they rose 3%, and so far this year, nearly 4%. Between 2008 and 2011, the average acquiring company’s stock dropped.
These stats refer to all industries in the aggregate and to deals of some unstated minimum size.
Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG boosted its presence in pain management on Monday by agreeing to buy U.S.-Australian biotech firm Spinifex Pharmaceuticals, the companies said in separate statements on Monday.
Spinifex said Novartis was paying $200 million upfront and Spinifex shareholders could get further payments based on clinical development and regulatory milestones. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of this year, pending regulatory approval.
The deal gives Novartis access to Spinifex's experimental neuropathic pain drug EMA401, which showed positive mid-stage Phase II clinical trial results in the treating post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a painful condition some people get after shingles.
…Because EMA401 acts outside the blood-brain barrier it can avoid common side effects such as dizziness or confusion seen with painkillers affecting the central nervous system.
Novartis plans to continue the development of EMA401 and intends to start Phase IIb clinical trials in patients with PHN or another condition called painful diabetic neuropathy, which is caused by diabetes.
…Established in 2005 and based in Stamford, Connecticut and Melbourne, Australia, Spinifex is backed by venture capital groups including Novo A/S, Canaan Partners, GBS Venture Partners, Brandon Capital Partners, Uniseed and the University of Queensland.
* Adjusted for cash/debt on acquired company’s balance sheet.
‡ Relative to “unaffected” share price in cases where a buyout offer or auction was made public; excludes contingent values unless otherwise specified.
® Reverse merger with private or non-US company.
n Premium relative to 2/24/15 (before leak of buyout bidding war).
p Premium relative to 8/18/14 (before speculation re AGN takeover).
q Premium relative to 4/10/14 (before Pershing Sq accumulation).
s Premium excludes contingent fees and is calculated from 12/13/13 close, the day before ENDP offer.
t For 42% of company not already owned.
u Includes $1.7B assumption of debt; premium relative to 3/27/12 close, when Bloomberg reported BMY bid. AZN pays BMY $3.4B to put AMLN’s portfolio into 50/50 JV.
v Excluding CVR of $4-14/sh; premium relative to 7/22/10 close.
w For 44% of DNA not already owned.
x Price includes entire deal in three stages; 17% premium is the blended avg price of NVS’ purchases ($164) relative to ACL’s market price 4/4/08 immediately prior to announcement of first stage of deal.
y Includes $0.45/sh of contingent payments.
z Liquidated by Deerfield following failed merger with Archemix.