Genzyme, Bone Care International Announce Shareholder Approval of Merger
June 30 2005 - 12:27PM
PR Newswire (US)
Genzyme, Bone Care International Announce Shareholder Approval of
Merger Acquisition to Strengthen Genzyme's Growing Renal Business
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and MIDDLETON, Wis., June 30
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genzyme Corporation (NASDAQ:GENZ) and
Bone Care International, Inc. (NASDAQ:BCII) announced today that
holders of Bone Care common stock have approved Genzyme's
acquisition of Bone Care. Genzyme anticipates the acquisition of
Bone Care will become effective at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, July 1.
Bone Care shares will cease trading at the close of market today,
and will be delisted from Nasdaq. The acquisition of Bone Care
strengthens and diversifies Genzyme's growing renal business, and
speeds the company's commercial entry into earlier stages of
chronic kidney disease (CKD). "The successful completion of this
important acquisition will immediately strengthen our ability to
serve the needs of patients along the full spectrum of chronic
kidney disease," said John P. Butler, president, Genzyme Renal.
"The addition of Bone Care's products and personnel will enhance
our presence with nephrologists and all who are involved in the
care of patients with renal disease." Genzyme will acquire Bone
Care in an all cash transaction valued at $33.00 per fully diluted
share, or approximately $600 million, net of Bone Care's cash of
$119 million. Genzyme has access to a total of approximately $1.5
billion in cash, cash equivalents, and a line of credit. The
transaction is expected to be neutral to earnings in 2005, and
accretive beyond. Genzyme will provide specific advice upon
completion of purchase accounting. Integration Underway Upon
completion of the acquisition, Genzyme will integrate the Bone Care
operations into its Renal business. A newly combined sales
operation consisting of Bone Care and Genzyme representatives will
begin selling two complementary products to nephrologists in the
United States: Hectorol(R) (doxercalciferol) and Renagel(R)
(sevelamer hydrochloride). Hectorol is a line of vitamin D2
pro-hormone products used to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism in
patients on dialysis and those with earlier stage CKD. Renagel is
the only non-absorbed phosphate binder that controls phosphorus
without the concerns of calcium or metal accumulation. As part of
the transition, Genzyme will offer employment to a majority of Bone
Care's employees. Genzyme will maintain a presence in Middleton,
Wisconsin for the foreseeable future. Those Bone Care employees not
retained by Genzyme will be offered severance and outplacement
assistance to help them transition to new employment. Complementary
Therapies The use of both Hectorol and Renagel is supported by a
large and growing body of clinical evidence, and by the National
Kidney Foundation's (NKF) K/DOQI guidelines for Bone Metabolism and
Disease in Chronic Kidney Disease. Hectorol is a unique pro-hormone
vitamin D2 analog formulation indicated for the treatment of
secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with CKD stages 3, 4, and
5. Hectorol treats secondary hyperparathyroidism, a condition that
impacts a significant number of patients with earlier stages of
CKD. This condition, if left untreated, can result in bone disease,
muscle weakness, reduced immunity, cardiovascular disease and
increased mortality. Genzyme estimates that more than 500,000
patients in the United States with CKD stage 3 and stage 4 have
elevated PTH levels above K/DOQI targets. Renagel, the only
calcium-free, metal-free phosphate binder, controls serum
phosphorus levels in patients with CKD on hemodialysis. The K/DOQI
guidelines recommend sevelamer as a first-line treatment option to
control phosphorus. Hyperphosphatemia is associated with bone
disease, cardiovascular disease and increased mortality. Renagel
has an established safety profile, is not systemically absorbed and
provides phosphorus control without the concerns of calcium or
metal accumulation. Renagel is used by more than 350,000 people
worldwide. Beyond Renagel's current indication for patients on
hemodialysis (stage 5 CKD), Genzyme is developing sevelamer for use
in hyperphosphatemic patients in earlier stages of chronic kidney
disease. About Renagel(R) (sevelamer hydrochloride) Renagel is
indicated for the control of serum phosphorus in patients with
chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis. Renagel is
contraindicated in patients with hypophosphatemia or bowel
obstruction. In a 52-week study, the most common side effects
included vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and dyspepsia. Drug-drug
interactions may occur with some medications and should be taken
into consideration when instructing patients how to take Renagel.
For more information about Renagel, including complete prescribing
information, please visit http://www.renagel.com/. About
Hectorol(R) (doxercalciferol) Hectorol(R) is indicated for the
treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with Stage 3
or Stage 4 chronic kidney disease and patients with stage 5 chronic
kidney disease on dialysis. Hectorol(R) should not be given to
patients with a tendency towards hypercalcemia or evidence of
vitamin D toxicity. Overdosage of any form of vitamin D, including
Hectorol(R), is dangerous. Acute hypercalcemia may exacerbate
tendencies for cardiac arrhythmias and seizures and may potentiate
the action of digitalis drugs. Chronic hypercalcemia can lead to
generalized vascular calcification and other soft-tissue
calcification. The principal adverse effects of treatment of
Hectorol(R) are hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypercalciuria,
and oversuppression of iPTH. Oversuppression of iPTH may lead to
adynamic bone syndrome. About Genzyme One of the world's leading
biotechnology companies, Genzyme is dedicated to making a major
positive impact on the lives of people with serious diseases.
Founded in 1981, Genzyme has grown from a small start-up to a
diversified enterprise with annual revenues exceeding $2 billion
and more than 7,000 employees in locations spanning the globe. With
many established products and services helping patients in more
than 80 countries, Genzyme is a leader in the effort to develop and
apply the most advanced technologies in the life sciences. The
company's products and services are focused on rare inherited
disorders, kidney disease, orthopaedics, cancer, transplant and
immune diseases, and diagnostic testing. Genzyme's commitment to
innovation continues today with a substantial development program
focused on these fields, as well as heart disease and other areas
of unmet medical need. Safe Harbor Statement This press release
contains forward-looking statements, including statements about:
the closing of Genzyme's acquisition of Bone Care and the timing
thereof; Genzyme's entry into the CKD market; the expected impact
of the anticipated transaction on Genzyme's earnings and
operations; the potential benefits of the anticipated transaction;
Genzyme's plans to maintain a presence in Wisconsin; the
integration of Bone Care's operations and the Hectorol(R) sales and
marketing organization; and plans to develop a next generation
sevelamer. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected in these forward-looking statements. These risks and
uncertainties include, among others, the possibility that the
transaction is not completed; the possibility that certain closing
conditions are not met; the accuracy of the companies' information
concerning the CKD market and the size of the CKD patient
population; the ability to successfully integrate Bone Care's
operations and programs with Genzyme's and the time and resources
required to do so; the ability to attract and retain qualified
employees; the actual timing and results of clinical trials for
next-generation sevelamer; the actual timing and content of
submissions to and decisions made by regulatory authorities
concerning the approval of next-generation sevelamer; and the risks
and uncertainties described in reports filed by Genzyme and Bone
Care with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including without
limitation the information under the heading "Factors Affecting
Future Operating Results" in Genzyme's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, and under the heading
"Contingencies" in Bone Care's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended March 31, 2005. We caution investors not to place
substantial reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in
this press release. These statements speak only as of the date of
this press release, and we undertake no obligation to update or
revise the statements. Genzyme(R) and Renagel(R) are registered
trademarks of Genzyme Corporation. Hectorol(R) is a registered
trademark of Bone Care International, Inc. Genzyme's press releases
and other company information are available at
http://www.genzyme.com/ and by calling Genzyme's investor
information line at 1-800-905-4369 within the United States or
1-703-797-1866 outside the United States. Media Contact, Genzyme
Investor Contact, Genzyme Dan Quinn Sally Curley (617) 768-6849
(617) 768-6140 Media Contact, Bone Care International Brian Hayden
(608) 662-7800 DATASOURCE: Genzyme Corporation CONTACT: Dan Quinn,
Media Contact, +1-617-768-6849, or Sally Curley, Investor Contact,
+1-617-768-6140, both of Genzyme; or Brian Hayden, Media Contact of
Bone Care International, +1-608-662-7800 Web site:
http://www.genzyme.com/ http://www.renagel.com/ Company News
On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/113803.html
Copyright
BCII Enterprises (PK) (USOTC:BCII)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2024 to Dec 2024
BCII Enterprises (PK) (USOTC:BCII)
Historical Stock Chart
From Dec 2023 to Dec 2024