Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: AGTC), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies for the treatment of rare and debilitating diseases with an initial focus on inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which a newly established portfolio company of Syncona Limited (LON: SYNC), a leading healthcare company focused on founding, building and funding global leaders in life science, will acquire AGTC, through a tender offer, for approximately $23.5 million ($0.34 per share) in cash at the closing of the transaction plus potential future aggregate cash payments of up to $50.0 million (up to $0.73 per share) pursuant to contingent value rights (CVRs). The board of directors of AGTC unanimously recommends that the shareholders of AGTC tender their shares in the tender offer once it is commenced.
“This transaction represents an attractive upfront cash offer to shareholders at a premium of approximately 42% to the current share price, with the potential to receive future upside based on the clinical success of XLRP and other pipeline assets through CVRs,” said Dr. Scott Koenig, Chairman of AGTC’s board of directors. “Our board and leadership team evaluated all alternative options to progress AGTC-501. Given the state of equity and other funding markets, we see significant challenges in funding ongoing operations beyond 2022. We believe that this transaction clearly will deliver the best value to our shareholders. AGTC’s board of directors has unanimously approved the offer and strongly encourages shareholders to tender their shares.”
“Our team has completed groundbreaking work for patients living with devastating retinal diseases,” said Sue Washer, President and Chief Executive Officer of AGTC. “This transaction allows continued progress in advancing an important therapy for XLRP patients while also maximizing immediate and potential long-term value to our shareholders. On closing, AGTC will be Syncona’s third company focused on retinal gene therapy, and we look forward to transitioning AGTC-501 to Syncona’s experienced stewardship with the goal of advancing this differentiated product candidate to patients with XLRP.”
“We share AGTC’s passion in developing life changing treatments for patients with diseases with no currently approved therapies,” said Chris Hollowood, Chief Investment Officer of Syncona Investment Management Limited. “Syncona has significant expertise in AAV gene therapy, and in particular, a strong track record of building retinal gene therapy businesses. We believe AGTC’s XLRP program has the potential to be a best-in-class product that could transform the lives of patients suffering with this devastating blinding condition.”
Under the terms of the definitive agreement, an indirect subsidiary of Syncona Limited will initiate a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of AGTC common stock. The upfront cash consideration in the transaction will consist of $0.34 per share of AGTC common stock (including common stock underlying restricted stock units and in-the-money stock options). AGTC equity holders will also receive in the transaction, for each share of AGTC common stock, one non-tradeable CVR. The holders of the CVRs will be entitled to receive payments of up to an additional $50.0 million in the aggregate upon the achievement of certain milestones related to transactions involving AGTC’s assets and regulatory and commercial milestones related to AGTC’s products. The $0.34 per share represents a premium of approximately 42% and the potential for up to $1.07 per share (inclusive of the potential CVR value) represents a premium of up to approximately 344% over AGTC’s closing stock price on October 21, 2022.
Under the terms of the definitive agreement, any shares not tendered in the tender offer will be acquired in a second-step merger at the same cash price as paid in the tender offer. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including that the number of shares validly tendered and not validly withdrawn represents a majority of all shares of AGTC common stock then outstanding (treating as outstanding the shares underlying outstanding restricted stock units) plus the aggregate number of shares issuable to holders of stock options and warrants in respect of which AGTC has received notices of exercise prior to the expiration of the tender offer. Upon the closing of the transaction, the shares of AGTC’s common stock will no longer be listed on any public market. Subject to certain limited exceptions, the CVRs will be non-transferable. There can be no assurance that any contingent payments will be paid. Syncona plans to finance the upfront cash consideration in the transaction with cash on hand.
The transaction was unanimously approved by AGTC’s board of directors and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2022. All of the members of AGTC’s board of directors and the executive officers of AGTC entered into a tender and support agreement with respect to all of the shares of AGTC common stock and/or stock options held by such persons (representing in the aggregate less than 1% of AGTC’s equity), pursuant to which each such person agreed, among other things, to vote against other proposals to acquire AGTC and, subject to certain exceptions, to tender such person’s AGTC shares pursuant to the tender offer.
MTS Health Partners, L.P. is acting as financial advisor to AGTC in connection with the transaction. Foley Hoag LLP is acting as legal advisor to AGTC in connection with the transaction. BTIG LLC is acting as financial advisor to Syncona and Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo, P.C. is acting as legal advisor to Syncona in connection with the transaction.
