The Corporate M&A and Life Sciences team advised Centerview Partners, financial advisor to Principia Biopharma Inc. (NASDAQ: PRNB), in connection with Principia's definitive agreement under which Sanofi will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Principia for $100 per share in cash, representing an aggregate equity value of approximately $3.68 billion (on a fully diluted basis). Under the terms of the merger agreement, Sanofi will commence a cash tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Principia common stock.
The consummation of the tender offer is subject to customary closing conditions, including the tender of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Principia common stock, the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, and other customary conditions. Following the successful completion of the tender offer, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sanofi will merge with Principia and the outstanding Principia shares not tendered in the tender offer will be converted into the right to receive the same $100 per share in cash paid in the tender offer. The tender offer is expected to commence in August 2020. Sanofi plans to finance the transaction with cash on hand. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions, Sanofi expects to complete the acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2020. The Sanofi and Principia Boards of Directors unanimously approved the transaction.
Principia’s Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors add to Sanofi’s efforts to accelerate and build a portfolio of the next generation of transformative treatments for autoimmune diseases. In 2017, Sanofi formed a collaboration with Principia under which Principia granted Sanofi an exclusive, worldwide license to develop and commercialize BTK inhibitor ‘168 in multiple sclerosis and other central nervous system diseases.
Centerview is a leading independent investment banking and advisory firm. The firm provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, financial restructurings, valuation, and capital structure to companies, institutions and governments. Since the founding of Centerview in 2006, the firm has advised on nearly $3 trillion of transactions.
Principia is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to bringing transformative therapies to patients with significant unmet medical needs in immune-mediated diseases. Through Principia’s proprietary Tailored Covalency® platform, the company’s strategy is to build and advance a pipeline of best-in-class drug candidates with significant therapeutic benefits, limit unintended side effects, improve quality of life and over time modify the course of disease.
The Goodwin team was led by Stuart Cable, James Matarese and Blake Liggio.
For additional details on the merger, please read the press release.