April 30, 2012 — Hologic Inc. and Gen-Probe Inc. today announced their boards of directors have unanimously approved a definitive agreement under which Hologic will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Gen-Probe for $82.75 per share in cash, or a total enterprise value of approximately $3.7 billion. The all-cash transaction is expected to be funded through available cash and additional financing of term loans and high-yield securities. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of calendar 2012.
The transaction delivers a strong growth profile with attractive economics and is expected to be $0.20 accretive to Hologic's adjusted earnings per share in the first fiscal year after close and significantly more accretive thereafter. Hologic also expects the transaction to accelerate top- and bottom-line growth rates. The combined company expects to realize approximately $75 million in cost synergies within three years following the close of the transaction. In addition, the combined company expects to have strong free cashflows, which will be used primarily to reduce debt with the expectation to return to pre-transaction leverage levels within three years.
Gen-Probe is a leader in molecular diagnostics products and services, making it a complementary addition to Hologic's growing diagnostics portfolio. The combined company will have pro forma LTM revenues of approximately $2.4 billion, adjusted EBITDA of $822 million (excluding synergies) and offer a wide spectrum of health products globally. The transaction allows Hologic to combine Gen-Probe's automation platforms of Tigris and Panther and extensive menu of sexually transmitted disease (STD) tests, with its strong global market presence and distribution – all targeting women's health. In addition, Gen-Probe's Procleix line of HIV, HCV, HBV and West Nile Virus (WNV) blood screening products and strong partnership with Novartis provide an attractive market, with a global reach and significant growth opportunities for the combined company. The combined company expects to create additional value through significant cross-selling opportunities, utilizing the combined global sales force and complementary research and development (R&D) and operational capabilities.
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of calendar 2012 and is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including approval of Gen-Probe's shareholders and expiration of the applicable waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and necessary foreign clearances.
For more information: www.hologic.com or www.gen-probe.com.