Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Merck's Idenix Cash Tender Offer Clears US Antitrust Review: Hart Scott Waiting Period Popped July 18, 2014


Still very-likely a Q3 2014 closing -- on time, and on target, for this all cash offer for all the shares of Idenix.

From the as amended SEC tender-offer filing (formerly called a Williams Act filing, by old schoolers!), then -- a bit:

. . . .At 11:59 p.m., Eastern time, on July 18, 2014, the waiting period applicable to the Offer and the Merger under the HSR Act expired. Accordingly, the condition of the Offer relating to the expiration or termination of the HSR Act waiting period has been satisfied. . . .


Just like that, the potential (and negotiating strategy) for a Gilead patent royalty payment on Sovaldi® -- its multi-billion dollar titan Hep C drug (the most successful drug launch in history, even adjusted for inflation) is now. . . (as of the closing of the Idenix deal) pretty well consolidated into the very capable hands of Merck's lawyer-chairman. Smart move.

No comments: