Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
On August 3, 2022, ChemoCentryx, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ChemoCentryx”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) among ChemoCentryx, Amgen Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Amgen”), and Carnation Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Amgen (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to and subject to the terms and conditions of which Merger Sub will be merged with and into ChemoCentryx, with ChemoCentryx surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Amgen (the “Merger”).
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of ChemoCentryx (the “ChemoCentryx Common Stock” and such shares, collectively, the “Shares”) outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any such Shares (i) held by ChemoCentryx as treasury stock or owned by Amgen or Merger Sub, (ii) held by any subsidiary of ChemoCentryx or Amgen (other than Merger Sub) or (iii) as to which appraisal rights have been properly exercised, and not withdrawn, in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law) will be converted into the right to receive $52.00 per Share in cash, without interest (the “Merger Consideration”).
Immediately prior to the Effective Time, (i) each ChemoCentryx stock option that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall vest in full and be cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to the product of the excess, if any, of the Merger Consideration over the exercise price of such ChemoCentryx stock option and the number of Shares underlying such option; (ii) each ChemoCentryx restricted share unit that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and that was (A) granted prior to August 3, 2022 and/or (B) held by a non-employee member of the board of directors of ChemoCentryx (the “Board”), shall vest in full and be cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to the product of the Merger Consideration and the number of Shares underlying such ChemoCentryx restricted share unit; and (iii) each ChemoCentryx restricted share award that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and that was (A) granted prior to August 3, 2022 and/or (B) held by a non-employee member of the Board, shall vest in full and be cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to the Merger Consideration.
The Board has unanimously (i) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, are fair to, and in the best interests of, ChemoCentryx and its stockholders, (ii) approved, adopted and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, in each case, upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the Merger Agreement and in accordance with the requirements of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and (iii) resolved, upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the Merger Agreement, to recommend that ChemoCentryx’s stockholders vote their Shares in favor of adopting the Merger Agreement and approving the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger.
Conditions to the Merger
The consummation of the Merger is subject to certain customary closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, including (i) adoption of the Merger Agreement and approval of the Merger by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote thereon (the “ChemoCentryx Stockholder Approval”), (ii) the absence of any temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order by any court of competent jurisdiction preventing the consummation of the Merger, or any applicable law or order by any governmental authority that prohibits or makes illegal the consummation of the Merger and (iii) the expiration or early termination of the waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the consummation of the Merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. Each party’s obligation to complete the Merger is also subject to certain additional conditions, including (i) subject to certain exceptions, the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the other party (subject to certain materiality qualifications), (ii) in the case of Amgen’s obligation to complete the Merger, the absence of a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement) with respect to ChemoCentryx that has occurred since August 3, 2022 and is continuing as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and (iii) compliance and performance in all material respects by the other party of its covenants and agreements set forth in the Merger Agreement.
Representations and Warranties; Covenants
The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties with respect to each party. The Merger Agreement also contains customary covenants, including, among others, covenants requiring ChemoCentryx to use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct in all material respects its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice during the period between execution of the Merger Agreement and the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of the Merger Agreement.