Akorn’s CEO bows out after failing last-ditch bid to save Fresenius merger
Akorn as soon as once more tried and failed to salvage its $4.3 billion merger with Fresenius. Delaware’s high court docket dominated that Fresenius had nixed the deal legally after knowledge issues cropped up, and within the wake of the choice, Akorn’s CEO made his exit.
Only days after attorneys for Akorn and Fresenius argued in Delaware Supreme Court, the justices backed a decrease court docket’s resolution in Fresenius’ favor. With the ruling, Akorn CEO Raj Rai said he would step down.
The resolution follows months of authorized back-and-forth over the $4.3 billion deal inked final yr. Fresenius agreed to pay $34 per share for the corporate, however after an investigation turned up knowledge integrity issues at Akorn, Fresenius backed out. Akorn’s shares have fallen greater than 85% since February.
Akorn sued to save the deal, and after a decrease court docket dominated for Fresenius in October, appealed to Delaware’s high court docket. Last week, Akorn attorneys contended that Fresenius knew the dangers of the buyout and needs to be compelled to proceed. Fresenius’ lawyer pushed again, saying investigators discovered extra issues at each flip at Akorn.
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With the court docket’s resolution, Akorn will forge forward as an unbiased firm; the drugmaker mentioned Rai is retiring and can stick with the corporate till it might discover a successor.
Akorn Chairman Alan Weinstein mentioned the corporate acknowledges “that this has been an extended period of uncertainty for Akorn’s customers, employees and investors, and the board is committed to ensuring the company’s stability and long-term growth.”
RELATED: Judge frees Fresenius from buyout, citing ‘extensive and recurring’ data problems at Akorn
Amid the authorized battle, Akorn’s share worth has tumbled to about $4.25, from about $33 final yr.
When Fresenius struck the buyout, it touted the acquisition as a “strategically complementary combination” that might diversify its portfolio and increase its sterile manufacturing capability. The purchase would add three U.S. manufacturing websites to Fresenius’ community, plus one other in India, and about 2,00zero staff.
