AstraZeneca completes acquisition of Omthera

RNS Number : 6983J

AstraZeneca PLC

19 July 2013

 



ASTRAZENECA COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF OMTHERA PHARMACEUTICALS

AstraZeneca today announced that on 18 July 2013 it completed its acquisition of Omthera Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company based in Princeton, New Jersey, focused on the development and commercialisation of new therapies for abnormal levels of lipids in the blood, referred to as dyslipidemia. As announced by Omthera on 16 July, the acquisition was approved by its shareholders.

As previously announced, the acquisition strengthens AstraZeneca's late-stage cardiovascular disease pipeline with the addition of Epanova^TM, a novel omega-3 free fatty acid composition for which Omthera submitted a New Drug Application to the US Food and Drug Administration on 9 July 2013, seeking approval for the treatment of patients with very high triglycerides (≥500 mg/dL).

Upon completion of the acquisition, AstraZeneca acquired all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Omthera for $12.70 per share, or approximately $323 million. In addition to the cash payment, each Omthera shareholder will receive one Contingent Value Right (CVR) of up to approximately $4.70 for each share of common stock that they own, equating to approximately $120 million in total, if specified milestones related to Epanova are achieved, or if a milestone related to global net sales is achieved. 

About Omthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Founded in 2008, Omthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging specialty pharmaceutical company that listed on NASDAQ in April 2013 (NASDAQ: OMTH). Led by a team of experts with exceptional experience in developing new therapies for lipid disorders, Omthera is dedicated to developing innovative therapies for the millions of patients who have elevated triglyceride levels and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Omthera currently has 14 employees based in Princeton, New Jersey. For more information please visit: www.omthera.com

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation, oncology and infectious disease. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.astrazeneca.com 

CONTACTS

Media Enquiries

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Esra Erkal-Paler                         [phone] (UK/Global)
Vanessa Rhodes                        [phone] (UK/Global)

Michele Meixell                            [phone] (US)

Investor Enquiries

Colleen Proctor                           [phone]       mob:  [phone]
Ed Seage                                    [phone]       mob:  [phone]

19 July 2013

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