GSK announces acquisition of 79% of Human Genome Sciences shares

GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE: GSK) today announced the results of its initial tender offer for all outstanding shares of Human Genome Sciences (NASDAQ: HGSI) for US$14.25 per share in cash, valuing HGS at approximately US$3.6 billion on an equity basis, or approximately US$3 billion net of cash and debt.

The initial tender offer expired at midnight, New York City time, on 27 July 2012. The depositary for the tender offer has advised GSK that as of such time, approximately 158,607,627 shares had been validly tendered and not withdrawn, representing, together with shares beneficially owned by GSK, a total of approximately 79% of HGS’ outstanding shares. An additional 9,155,762 shares were tendered subject to guaranteed delivery procedures, which represent approximately 4% of HGS’ outstanding shares. All shares validly tendered and not withdrawn were accepted for payment.

GSK will provide a subsequent offering period for 4 business days commencing immediately for all remaining shares of HGS common stock to permit HGS stockholders who have not yet tendered their shares the opportunity to do so. This subsequent offering period will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on 2 August 2012. The same US$14.25 per share in cash offered during the initial offering period will be paid to holders of HGS common stock who tender their shares during the subsequent offering period. During the subsequent offering period, tendering stockholders will not have withdrawal rights.

Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, HGS granted to a wholly-owned subsidiary of GSK a top-up option to purchase from HGS the number of newly-issued shares of HGS common stock necessary for GSK to own at least 90% of the outstanding shares. GSK would be entitled to exercise and plans to exercise the top-up option if, following expiration of the subsequent offering period, GSK owns more than approximately 83% but less than 90% of the issued and outstanding shares.

Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, GSK is obligated to effectuate a merger of its wholly-owned subsidiary with and into HGS. At the effectiveness of the merger, each remaining share of HGS common stock not tendered (other than shares as to which holders properly exercise appraisal rights) is to be converted into the right to receive US$14.25 in cash, without interest and less any required withholding taxes. As a result of the merger, HGS common stock will cease to be traded on NASDAQ. If GSK owns at least 90% of the outstanding shares of HGS common stock following the subsequent offering period and, if necessary, the exercise of the top-up option, GSK expects to consummate a short-form merger with HGS.

Lazard and Morgan Stanley are acting as financial advisors to GSK, and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz are providing legal advice to GSK.