Alexion Completes Acquisition of Portola

On July 2, 2020 Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALXN) reported the successful completion of its acquisition of Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTLA) (Press release, Alexion, JUL 2, 2020, View Source [SID1234574865]). The acquisition adds Factor Xa inhibitor reversal agent Andexxa [coagulation factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo], marketed as Ondexxya in Europe, to Alexion’s commercial portfolio. Andexxa is the first and only approved Factor Xa inhibitor reversal agent and has demonstrated transformative clinical value by rapidly reversing the anticoagulant effects of Factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban and apixaban in severe and uncontrolled bleeding.

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"This acquisition provides the opportunity to grow our commercial portfolio, which builds on the significant progress we’ve made diversifying our pipeline over the last few years," said Ludwig Hantson, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Alexion. "We are excited to add a transformative, first-in-class medicine like Andexxa, which rapidly reverses life-threatening bleeds that result from Factor Xa inhibitors, to our growing critical care portfolio. This important medicine is also a clear strategic fit with our existing expertise in hematology and neurology, and we are confident we can apply our demonstrated global commercial excellence to enhance access and broaden the number of patients helped by Andexxa."

Transaction Details

Alexion completed the acquisition through a tender offer and subsequent merger of Portola with Odyssey Merger Sub Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Alexion ("Buyer"). Portola is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Alexion. The tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Portola at a price of $18.00 per share expired as scheduled, one minute following 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on July 1, 2020. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the depositary and paying agent for the tender offer, has advised Alexion that 62,654,962 shares of Portola common stock were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in the tender offer, representing approximately 79.7% of the shares outstanding. In addition, the depositary has advised Alexion that, as of the offer expiration time, Notices of Guaranteed Delivery had been delivered with respect to 2,701,052 additional shares, representing approximately 3.4% of the shares outstanding. All of the conditions to the tender offer having been satisfied, Buyer has accepted for payment and will promptly pay for all shares tendered. The transaction will be funded with cash on hand.

On July 2, 2020, Alexion completed its acquisition of Portola through the merger of Buyer with and into Portola without a vote of Portola’s shareholders pursuant to Section 251(h) of the Delaware General Corporation Law. As a result of the merger, Portola became a wholly owned subsidiary of Alexion. In connection with the merger, all shares of Portola common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (other than shares owned by Alexion, Buyer, Portola, any other subsidiary of Alexion or any subsidiary of Portola, or shares that are held in Portola’s treasury, or shares held by any Portola stockholder who has properly demanded and perfected appraisal rights under Delaware law) have been converted into the right to receive $18.00 per share in cash, without interest (less any required withholding taxes), the same amount paid for all shares validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in the tender offer. As a result of the merger, as of July 2, 2020, Portola common stock will cease to be traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.