Sale to Generate a Minimum Cash-on-Cash Return of 3X
Potential to Generate 8x Cash-on-Cash Return Based on Future Regulatory and Commercial Milestones
WAYNE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (NYSE:SFE), a holding company that builds value in growth-stage life sciences and technology companies, today announced that it expects to receive a minimum of $36 million in initial sale proceeds from the successful completion of Eli Lilly and Company’s (NYSE:LLY) acquisition of partner company Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Inc., which took place earlier today, a portion of which amounts will be held in escrow for approximately one year. Safeguard has deployed $12 million of capital in Avid since May 2007 for a 13% primary ownership stake. Therefore, the $36 million in expected minimum initial sale proceeds to be received will constitute a 3x cash-on-cash return.
Under terms of the Lilly agreement, Lilly acquired all outstanding shares of Avid for an upfront payment of $300 million, subject to adjustment based on existing cash on hand at closing, and subject to a portion of such amounts being held in escrow. Safeguard could see its cash-on-cash return approach 8x, based upon an additional $500 million in contingent consideration payable upon the achievement of future regulatory and commercial milestones.
Eli Lilly’s acquisition of Avid Radiopharmaceuticals represents Safeguard’s second successful exit transaction from a partner company during the fourth quarter 2010, the other being the GE Healthcare public tender offer for Clarient, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLRT). The Clarient exit will generate approximately $147 million in net proceeds for Safeguard once the full transaction has been completed.
“Avid’s accelerated progress through various clinical milestones since May 2007 demonstrates the importance of partnering with life sciences companies that have strong management, innovative products and/or services and capital efficient paths towards commercialization,” said Gary J. Kurtzman, MD, Managing Director in the Life Sciences Group at Safeguard, and member of Avid’s Board of Directors. “As a result of its fortitude and vision, Lilly recognized that Avid has become the leader in the development of molecular imaging agents that have the potential for early disease detection of pathology associated with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.”
“Every innovative technology needs a strong advocate, and that’s what we found with Safeguard Scientifics and our other partners,” said Daniel M. Skovronsky, MD, PhD, CEO and President of Avid. “The support we received from Safeguard – financial, operational and strategic guidance – exemplifies their understanding of the inherent value in diagnostic imaging technology, and underlines their vision to take a leadership position in this space.”
“The improved strength of our balance sheet provides us with financial flexibility to redeploy capital into new, high-growth, high-value opportunities as well as our current partner companies and ultimately expand the Safeguard platform,” said Peter J. Boni, President and CEO of Safeguard Scientifics. “We are excited about our positive momentum and will continue to work to drive value for our shareholders.”
About Safeguard Scientifics
Founded in 1953 and based in Wayne, PA, Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (NYSE:SFE) provides growth capital for entrepreneurial and innovative life sciences and technology companies. Safeguard targets life sciences companies in Molecular and Point-of-Care Diagnostics, Medical Devices, Regenerative Medicine and Specialty Pharmaceuticals, and technology companies in Internet / New Media, Financial Services IT and Healthcare IT with capital requirements of up to $25 million. Safeguard participates in expansion financings, corporate spin-outs, management buyouts, recapitalizations, industry consolidations and early-stage financings. For more information, please visit our website at www.safeguard.com, our blog at blog.safeguard.com or you can follow us on Twitter @Safeguard.
Forward-looking Statements
Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, include, among others, managing rapidly changing technologies, limited access to capital, competition, the ability to attract and retain qualified employees, the ability to execute our strategy, the uncertainty of the future performance of our companies, acquisitions and dispositions of companies, the inability to manage growth, compliance with government regulations and legal liabilities, additional financing requirements, the effect of economic conditions in the business sectors in which our companies operate, and other uncertainties described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to predict or control. In addition, as a result of these and other factors, our past financial performance should not be relied on as an indication of future performance. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements or other information contained in this news release.
CONTACT:
Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.
John E. Shave
Vice President, Business Development and Corporate Communications
610-975-4952
KEYWORDS: United States North America Pennsylvania
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Pharmaceutical Other Science Science
MEDIA:
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