Sanofi-Aventis' Interest In Genzyme May Include Diagnostics Arm
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Drug maker Sanofi-Aventis is signaling potential interest in Genzyme's molecular diagnostics business, suggesting that the unit could be retained if Sanofi succeeds in its quest to acquire Genzyme
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Medical Device and In Vitro Diagnostics/Research Deal Statistics Quarterly, Q3 2010
Medical device financings during the third quarter of 2010 brought in $997 million, an increase of 82% from the second quarter's $548 million. While Q3 M&A activity was down slightly from last quarter - only 15 mergers were completed, compared with 18 in Q2 - more money was involved: an impressive $6.7 billion. The venture rounds for PacBio and Complete Genomics boosted late-stage VC money to $171 million in the third quarter, two-thirds of the entire amount for the in vitro diagnostics/research industry. Despite only five acquisitions closing during the third quarter, the M&A dollar volume for the IVD/research industry was just north of $2 billion.
Medical Device and In Vitro Diagnostics/Research Deal Statistics Quarterly, Q3 2010
Medical device financings during the third quarter of 2010 brought in $997 million, an increase of 82% from the second quarter's $548 million. While Q3 M&A activity was down slightly from last quarter - only 15 mergers were completed, compared with 18 in Q2 - more money was involved: an impressive $6.7 billion. The venture rounds for PacBio and Complete Genomics boosted late-stage VC money to $171 million in the third quarter, two-thirds of the entire amount for the in vitro diagnostics/research industry. Despite only five acquisitions closing during the third quarter, the M&A dollar volume for the IVD/research industry was just north of $2 billion.
Genzyme rejects Sanofi's hostile bid
Drug maker Sanofi-Aventis launches hostile bid for diversified diagnostic/biotech firm Genzyme Oct. 4 with a tender offer of $69-per-share, or roughly $18.5 billion, only to be rejected again by Genzyme on Oct. 7. Sanofi's offer price, which Genzyme says does not represent fair value, has not increased since it was first made to Genzyme management on July 29. But with no white knight bidder emerging to force Sanofi's hand and Genzyme's management refusing to negotiate, Sanofi said it had little incentive to up the ante and no recourse other than to take the offer directly to Genzyme shareholders. In a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission Oct. 7, in which Genzyme's board advises shareholders to reject Sanofi's offer, Genzyme said that Sanofi CEO Christopher Viehbacher had suggested a price range of $69- to $80-per share in Sept. 20 discussions with Genzyme CEO Henri Termeer. The hostile offer from Sanofi is largely viewed as a means to bring Genzyme to the negotiating table in what is likely to be a prolonged takeover. Genzyme's stock has been trading at around $71-per-share since Sanofi's offer was made public Aug. 29, suggesting shareholders expect a richer price (1"The Gray Sheet" Sept. 6, 2010). However, Sanofi's current offer represents a 38% premium over Genzyme's share price of $49.86 on July 1 and a 31% premium over the one-month historical average share price through July 22, one day before acquisition rumors began circulating. "Sanofi's new overture probably means more active negotiations are inevitable," Bernstein Research analyst Geoff Porges said in a recent report. Genzyme recently agreed to sell its genetic testing business to LabCorp for $925 million (2"The Gray Sheet" Sept. 20, 2010)