Bayer (BAYRY) recently received antitrust clearance from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with respect to the acquisition of Conceptus Inc. (CPTS). The FTC did not raise any objection with respect to the deal within the relevant waiting period under the US antitrust law. The waiting period ended earlier this week.
However, the transaction is still subject to a minimum tender of at least the majority of outstanding shares of Conceptus.
Last month Bayer’s HealthCare unit entered into an agreement to buy Conceptus for $31.00 per share or approximately $1.1 billion in cash in a bid to strengthen its contraceptive portfolio. Bayer commenced a cash tender offer earlier in the month which will expire on Jun 4, 2013.
Bayer’s impending acquisition of Conceptus will add the Essure permanent (non-surgical) birth control system to its product portfolio. We note that Conceptus’ Essure procedure was approved in 2002 in the US and is well accepted in the market. Conceptus reported net sales of $141 million for the year 2012.
Bayer’s contraceptive portfolio currently includes drugs like Yasmin/Yaz and Mirena among others. Successful completion of the acquisition would ensure the presence of short-term, long-term and permanent contraceptive choices for women in Bayer’s line-up.
The HealthCare segment recorded revenues of €4.4 billion in the first quarter of 2013, up 2.3% year over year. Bayer expects revenues from the HealthCare segment to come in at around €19 billion in 2013.
We remind investors that the contraceptive market has players like Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA).
Bayer has been quite active on the acquisition front lately. Bayer inked a deal to acquire all shares of Germany-based Steigerwald Arzneimittelwerk GmbH earlier this month. Steigerwald Arzneimittelwerk is a private pharmaceutical company which specializes in pharmacy-only herbal medicines. The deal is expected to close early July this year on the fulfilment of certain conditions.
Bayer presently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Meanwhile, other stocks such as Jazz Pharmaceuticals Public Ltd (JAZZ) currently look more attractive carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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