Albany Molecular Research, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMRI), a global contract research, development and manufacturing organization working with the life sciences industry to improve patient outcomes and quality of life for more than 25 years, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by affiliates of The Carlyle Group and GTCR LLC for $21.75 per share in cash.
This represents a 42% premium to the 60-day weighted average closing stock price leading up to April 5, 2017 (the last trading day prior to public rumors in the press regarding a potential sale process).
The agreement was unanimously approved by AMRI's Board of Directors which has recommended that the shareholders vote in favor of the transaction.
William S. Marth, President and CEO of AMRI, said, "This transaction is a strong endorsement of our strategy. Given their deep healthcare industry expertise and financial resources, Carlyle and GTCR are highly attractive partners for us and offer a compelling opportunity to accelerate our growth and enhance delivery of world-class solutions to our customers."
"We strongly believe in AMRI's strategic direction and have been very impressed with management's ability to transform the business into a trusted partner for the biopharma industry," said Dean Mihas, Managing Director and head of the Healthcare group for GTCR. "We believe AMRI is uniquely positioned to capitalize on an increased trend for outsourcing of pharmaceutical products and services and look forward to partnering with the AMRI team to achieve its strategic objectives and drive value for all of AMRI's stakeholders."
Commenting on the transaction, Stephen H. Wise, Managing Director and Global Head of Healthcare for Carlyle, said, "AMRI has a strong track record of delivering world-class solutions to the global biopharmaceutical industry, and we are excited to help the Company create long-term value through targeted growth and superior customer service. We see great potential and talent within the organization, and are eager to partner with AMRI to strengthen and build upon its existing set of products and services."
Closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including, among others, the affirmative vote in favor of the transaction by holders of a majority of AMRI's outstanding common stock and the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and similar laws outside the U.S. It is anticipated that the special meeting of AMRI's stockholders to vote on the transaction will be held in the third quarter of 2017, and, if the transaction is approved, the merger would be expected to close shortly thereafter.
The transaction will be financed through a combination of debt and equity financing. Carlyle and GTCR have received debt financing commitments to finance the transaction. There is no financing condition to the obligations of the equity sponsors to consummate the transaction. Equity capital for Carlyle's investment will come from Carlyle Partners VI, L.P., a $13 billion buyout fund, and equity capital for GTCR's investment will come from GTCR Fund XI, a buyout fund with $3.85 billion of limited partner capital commitments.
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor to AMRI and provided a fairness opinion to a special committee of the Board of Directors of AMRI. Goodwin Procter LLP is acting as legal advisor to AMRI in connection with the transaction. Latham & Watkins LLP is acting as legal advisor and Barclays and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are acting as financial advisors to Carlyle in connection with the transaction. Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as legal advisor and RBC Capital Markets LLC is acting as financial advisor to GTCR in connection with the transaction.
About AMRI
Albany Molecular Research Inc. (AMRI) is a global contract research and manufacturing organization that has been working with the Life Sciences industry to improve patient outcomes and the quality of life for more than two decades. With locations in North America, Europe and Asia, our key business segments include Discovery and Development Services (DDS), Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), Drug Product (DP), and Fine Chemicals (FC). For more information about AMRI, please visit our website at www.amriglobal.com or follow us on Twitter (@amriglobal).
About The Carlyle Group
The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ:CG) is a global alternative asset manager with $162 billion of assets under management across 287 investment vehicles as of March 31, 2017. Carlyle's purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, many of whom are public pensions. Carlyle invests across four segments – Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Market Strategies and Investment Solutions – in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America. Carlyle has expertise in various industries, including: aerospace, defense & government services, consumer & retail, energy, financial services, healthcare, industrial, real estate, technology & business services, telecommunications & media and transportation. The Carlyle Group employs more than 1,550 people in 31 offices across six continents.
About GTCR
Founded in 1980, GTCR is a leading private equity firm focused on investing in growth companies in the Financial Services & Technology, Healthcare, Technology, Media & Telecommunications and Growth Business Services industries. The Chicago-based firm pioneered The Leaders Strategy™ - finding and partnering with management leaders in core domains to identify, acquire and build market-leading companies through transformational acquisitions and organic growth. Since its inception, GTCR has invested more than $12 billion in over 200 companies. For more information, please visit www.gtcr.com.
