Roche signs definitive agreement to acquire Anadys Pharmaceuticals

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) and Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANDS) today announced that the two companies have entered into a definitive merger agreement for Roche to fully acquire Anadys at a price of USD 3.70 per share in an all-cash transaction. This corresponds to a total cash consideration of approximately USD 230 million.

Based in San-Diego, California, USA, Anadys develops oral, small molecule therapeutics for the potential treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Setrobuvir (ANA598), Anadys’most advanced drug candidate, is a direct-acting antiviral compound that is currently being evaluated by Anadys in a phase II study in combination with Roche’s pegylated interferon (Pegasys) and ribavirin (Copegus).

Jean-Jacques Garaud, Global Head of Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, said: “This acquisition augments our already strong HCV portfolio. Our aim is to offer physicians and hepatitis patients a powerful combination of therapies that bring us closer to a cure, even without the use of interferon. Anadys’ compounds provide additional modes of action that could lead to interferon-free treatment regimens without viral resistance.”

Steve Worland, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anadys, said: “Since Anadys was founded, our focus has been on driving forward research that would make a real difference to the lives of patients, especially those with hepatitis. With Roche’s considerable capabilities and experience in HCV, this acquisition provides the best chance of success for the new potential treatments our team has been dedicated to developing.”

In addition to its lead programme with ANA598, Anadys is developing ANA773, an oral, small-molecule inducer of innate immunity in Phase I trials that may prove useful for treating HCV as well as other chronic infections and cancer.

Terms of the agreement

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Roche will promptly commence a tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Anadys’ common stock at a price of USD 3.70 per share in cash. This price represents a 256% premium to the closing price on 14 October 2011. The closing of the tender offer will be subject to the tender of a number of shares that, together with the shares owned by Roche, represent a majority of the total number of outstanding shares (assuming the exercise of all vested and unvested options and warrants having an exercise price per share less than the tender offer price) and other customary conditions. In addition, the transaction is subject to the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. The closing of the tender offer is expected to take place still in 2011.

Following completion of the tender offer, Roche will acquire all remaining shares through a second step merger. Directors and officers beneficially owning approximately 7.9% of the shares have agreed to tender their shares and otherwise support the transaction.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc is acting as financial advisor to Roche and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is acting as legal counsel. Lazard Ltd is acting as financial advisor to Anadys.

About setrobuvir (ANA598)

Setrobuvir is an investigational, orally administered, direct-acting antiviral (DAA) currently being evaluated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Specifically, it is a non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitor, and is currently in Phase IIb trials in combination with the current standard of care, Pegasys and Copegus. In clinical trials to date, setrobuvir has shown potent antiviral activity with a good safety profile. Roche plans to explore its use in combination with other direct acting antivirals already within its portfolio, with and without interferon.