Roche Completes Genentech Takeover, Holds 93.2%
March 26 2009 - 2:05AM
Dow Jones News
Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG (ROG.VX) said Thursday it holds
93.2% of Genentech Inc. (DNA) shares following the completion of
its tender offer, with 3%more guaranteed for delivery.
The Basel-based company said it will merge as "soon as
practical", after which the remaining shareholders will be squeezed
out and Genentech shares will cease trading.
Roche first launched a bid on the 44% of Genentech shares it
didn't already own in July, 2008, offering $89/share which the U.S.
biotech firm snubbed as too low. Roche lifted its takeover offer to
$95/share earlier this month, which Genentech recommended its
stockholders to accept.
Roche shares closed at CHF148.80 Wednesday.
Company Web Site: http://www.roche.com
-By Hans Schoemaker, Dow Jones Newswires; +41-43-4438045;
hans.schoemaker@dowjones.com