Bristol Myers Squibb to Acquire Mirati in a $4.8B Deal

On Oct 9, 2023

Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which BMS will acquire Mirati for $4.8 billion.

Mirati is a commercial stage targeted oncology company whose mission is to discover, design and deliver breakthrough therapies for patients with cancer. The company’s assets are a strong fit with Bristol Myers Squibb’s portfolio and pipeline and represent an attractive opportunity to grow Bristol Myers Squibb’s oncology franchise.

Through this acquisition, Bristol Myers Squibb will add KRAZATI, an important lung cancer medicine, to its commercial portfolio. The company also gains access to several promising clinical assets that complement its oncology pipeline and are strong candidates for single agent development and combination strategies.

According to Giovanni Caforio, CEO and board chair of BMS, “With a strong strategic fit, great science and clear value creation opportunities for our shareholders, the Mirati transaction is aligned with our business development goals. Importantly, by leveraging our skills and capabilities, including our global commercial infrastructure, we will ensure patients globally can benefit from Mirati’s portfolio of innovative medicines.”

“With multiple targeted oncology assets including KRAZATI, Mirati is another important step forward in our efforts to grow our diversified oncology portfolio and further strengthen BMS’s pipeline for the latter half of the decade and beyond,” said Chris Boerner, Ph.D., executive vice president and chief operating officer and chief executive officer-elect, BMS. “The news builds upon our long legacy of delivering breakthrough therapies that transform the lives of people with cancer. We are impressed with the science that the talented people of Mirati have driven in service of patients, and we look forward to welcoming them to Bristol Myers Squibb.”

“Since our founding 10 years ago, Mirati has made significant strides in transforming the lives of patients living with cancer through the development of innovative therapies. Through our discovery and development of next-generation targeted cancer therapeutics, we have built a robust pipeline of potentially best-in-class treatments that offer renewed hope for patients,” said Charles Baum, M.D., Ph.D., founder, president and CEO, Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. “This transaction is a testament to the potential of our platform and to our team’s hard work and dedication to changing lives. BMS’s global scale, resources and commitment to innovation will enable Mirati’s therapeutics to benefit more patients, faster, and deliver on our vision of unlocking the science behind the promise of a life beyond cancer. We believe that this transaction is the best way to benefit patients and maximize value for shareholders.”

Under the terms of the merger agreement, BMS, through a subsidiary, will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Mirati common stock at a price of $58.00 per share in cash representing a 52% premium to the 30-day VWAP as of the unaffected October 4, 2023 close, for a total equity value of $4.8 billion corresponding to an enterprise value of approximately $3.7 billion, which accounts for approximately $1.1 billion of Mirati cash.

Each Mirati stockholder will also receive one non-tradeable CVR per Mirati share, which will entitle its holder to receive a one-time potential payment of $12.00 in cash, for a total value of approximately $1.0 billion, upon acceptance by U.S. FDA of a new drug application for MRTX1719 for the treatment of either locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC in patients who have received no more than two prior lines of systemic therapy within seven years after the closing of the merger, subject to the terms and conditions contained in a contingent value rights agreement detailing the terms of the CVR.

The transaction is anticipated to close by the first half of 2024, subject to fulfillment of customary closing conditions, including approval of Mirati’s stockholders and receipt of required regulatory approvals.

Bristol Myers Squibb expects to finance the acquisition with a combination of cash and debt.

Evercore Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are serving as financial advisors to Bristol Myers Squibb, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel. Centerview Partners LLC is serving as financial advisor to Mirati, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is serving as legal counsel.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

Related Articles: