Invitation to presentation of Essity’s Year-end Report for 2020

PR Newswire

STOCKHOLM, Dec. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Essity’s Year-end Report for 2020 will be published on January 27 at approximately 7:00 CET. In conjunction with publication, a telephone and web presentation will be held at 9:00 CET where President and CEO Magnus Groth will present and answer questions.

 Presentation:

Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Time:9:00 CET

Link to Web presentation:https://essity.videosync.fi/2021-01-27-q4

Telephone: +44 (0) 207 192 80 00, + 1 631 510 74 95 or +46 (0) 8 506 921 80. Please call in well in advance of the start of the presentation. Indicate “Essity” or conference ID 7569943.

For further information, please contact:

Per Lorentz, Vice President Corporate Communications, +46 8 788 52 51, [email protected]

Johan Karlsson, Vice President Investor Relations, +46 8 788 51 30, [email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/essity/r/invitation-to-presentation-of-essity-s-year-end-report-for-2020,c3256892

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/15798/3256892/1349980.pdf

Invitation to presentation of Essity’s Year-end Report for 2020

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/invitation-to-presentation-of-essitys-year-end-report-for-2020-301195809.html

SOURCE Essity

Hexagon strengthens capabilities to serve rapidly evolving architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) ecosystem with the acquisition of OxBlue

PR Newswire

NACKA STRAND, Sweden, Dec. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Hexagon AB, a global leader in sensor, software and autonomous solutions, today announced the acquisition of OxBlue, a leader in construction visualisation technology designed to capture the life of a job site, start to finish.

OxBlue’s high definition time-lapse photography and live video streaming services deliver real-time visual documentation of everything that happens on a job site, both exterior and interior. Combining the latest camera technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning algorithms, OxBlue’s desktop and mobile software platform connects stakeholders to their construction job sites from anywhere, anytime. Instant access to the most up-to-date construction project information enables real-time decision-making – from prompt assessments of quality, progress, and overall performance to risk detection and mitigation – allowing project executives and managers to confidently meet or exceed planned expectations.

OxBlue’s construction visualisation solution improves the management of everything from material shipments and site visits to contractor schedules, progress updates and construction site security. Keeping everyone informed about project status, critical milestones, and other key information, including weather conditions, ensures projects stay on schedule and under budget.

“OxBlue represents another step in our vision to provide market-leading, data-centric solutions that introduce smarter ways to build,” says Hexagon President and CEO Ola Rollén. “OxBlue’s scalable business model of remote installations coupled with its reputation for outstanding customer support, leading technology, and strong AEC sales channel make it a great fit for Hexagon. Integration with our 3D surveillance technology, BLK247, and our construction software solution, HxGN SMART Build, will provide invaluable data and insights on construction job site activities. Additionally, OxBlue’s access to machine learning data sets and best-in-class interface nicely complement Hexagon’s AI and machine learning capabilities, machine automation solutions and autonomous workflow approach to construction.”

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, OxBlue has served clients in 45 countries. OxBlue will operate as part of Hexagon’s Geosystems division. 2020 revenues are forecast to be around 37 MEUR.

For further information, please contact:
Maria Luthström, Head of Sustainability and Investor Relations, Hexagon AB, +46 8 601 26 27, [email protected]
Kristin Christensen, Chief Marketing Officer, Hexagon AB, +1 404 554 0972, [email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/hexagon/r/hexagon-strengthens-capabilities-to-serve-rapidly-evolving-architecture–engineering–and-constructi,c3257536

The following files are available for download:

 

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hexagon-strengthens-capabilities-to-serve-rapidly-evolving-architecture-engineering-and-construction-aec-ecosystem-with-the-acquisition-of-oxblue-301195808.html

SOURCE Hexagon

AB Science communicates the results from phase 2B/3 study evaluating masitinib in Alzheimer’s disease

AB SCIENCE COMMUNICATES RESULTS FROM PHASE 2B/3 STUDY EVALUATING MASITINIB IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Paris, December 18, 2020, 8.30am CET

AB Science SA (NYSE Euronext – FR0010557264 – AB) today communicates the results from phase 2B/3 study evaluating masitinib in Alzheimer’s disease, together with details on the mode of action of masitinib in Alzheimer’s disease.

The presentation is available on the company’s website and is available here.

Highlights of this presentation are:

The mode of action of masitinib in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is based on four targets, which may have a synergistic effect:

  • Modulation of microglia: Microglia are involved in neuroinflammartoy processes associated with AD and masitinib modulates microglia activity through inhibition of the CSFR-1 kinase.
  • Protection of synapses: Synapses are altered in AD and masitinib has been shown to promote recovery of synaptic markers in a mouse model of AD.
  • Inhibition of the tau protein: The tau protein aggregates in the physiopathology of AD. Masitinib inhibits the FYN kinase, a kinase that mediates tau phosphorylation. Masitinib has also been shown to prevent the accumulation of amyloid fibrils in the hippocampus in a mouse model of AD.
  • Control of mast cell activity: Mice depleted of mast cells (MCs) do not develop symptoms of AD. Masitinib blocks MC activity through inhibition of the c-Kit, LYN, and FYN kinases. In addition, beta-amyloid plaques activate MCs, and masitinib treatment of transgenic AD mice has been shown to protect against cognition impairment.

The following preclinical data are presented. Experiments in a transgenic mouse model of AD that were carried out by the ICM Brain Institute in Paris, demonstrated that masitinib could:

  • Completely restore cognitive impairment in the Morris Water Maze experiment.
  • Completely restore the ability to perform navigation strategy in the Morris Water Maze experiment.
  • Exerts a neuroprotective effect against synaptic loss through inhibition of MCs.

The masitinib clinical development program in Alzheimer’s disease is comprised of one proof of concept study (AB04024) [Piette, 2011]  and a phase 2B/3 study (AB09004).

Masitinib is positioned in patients with mild and moderate dementia, with MMSE Score (Mini Mental State Examination) ranging from 12 to 25, which is a different positioning from other compounds.

There are currently four drugs used in the treatment of mild and moderate AD (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine and memantine) that were approved about 20 years ago. Masitinib was evaluated in add-on to this standard of care.

Study AB09004 was an international, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2B/3 study evaluating different doses of masitinib as a treatment of patients with confirmed mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. This study compared the efficacy and safety of masitinib relative to placebo after 24 weeks of treatment when administered as an add-on therapy to cholinesterase inhibitor (donepezil, rivastigmine or galantamine) and/or Memantine.

Study AB09004 was comprised of two independent sub-studies testing two distinct dosing regimens; masitinib 4.5 mg/kg/day versus its own placebo control (n=358, randomization 1:1), and masitinib 6.0 mg/kg/day titrated dose versus its own placebo control (n=277, randomization 2:1).

The study was to be considered successful if a significant improvement was reached on either ADAS-Cog or ADCS-ADL at a 2.5% level of statistical significance.

Baseline characteristics were balanced. Study AB9004 results were the following:

  • The study met its primary analysis, demonstrating a statistically significant reduction in cognitive impairment based on ADAS-Cog (p=0.0003). Treatment-effect with respect to the control arm (i.e., between group difference of least squares mean (LS Mean) and associated standard error (SE) in ADAS-Cog was -2.15 (0.59).
  • ADAS-Cog sensitivity analysis based on the jump to reference imputation method remained positive (p=0.0016), demonstrating a robust treatment statistical effect.
  • The study demonstrated a statistically significant improvement on daily activity based on ADCS-ADL (p=0.0381). The difference of LS Mean (SE) in ADCS-ADL was 1.82 (0.87).
  • ADCS-ADL sensitivity analysis based on the jump to reference imputation method showed a numerical advantage close to statistical significance (p=0.051) in favor of masitinib.
  • The study demonstrated a 71% improvement on Clinician’s Interview-Based Impression of Change (CIBIC) for masitinib as compared with placebo; a result that was statistically significant (p=0.040).
  • The study showed a numerical advantage (not statistically significant) in favor of masitinib on the secondary enpoints of MMSE, CDR, and NPI.
  • No further significant treatment-effect was observed either on ADAS-Cog or ADCS-ADL for the high-dose masitinib sub-study (titration up to 6.0 mg/kg/day). This result possibly originated from an improvement under placebo, conceivably influenced by a low number of patients enrolled in the placebo titration arm (n<100). There was no higher efficacy with the masitinib 6.0 mg/kg/day titrated dose versus the misitinib 4.5 mg/kg/day dose. As a result, it could be concluded that the effective dose in Alzheimer’s disease for masitinib is 4.5 mg/kg/day.
  • As a post-hoc sensitivity analysis, in order to assess the impact of the divergent placebo effect, masitinib 4.5 mg/kg/day was compared with the pooled placebo arms and ADAS-Cog analysis remained significant (p=0.0004).
  • There were significantly (log-rank p-value 0.0403) fewer patients reaching severe dementia stage (MMSE<10) and a significant decrease (Hazard ratio 1.19, p= 0.0276) in time to severe dementia with masitinib 4.5 mg/kg/day compared with the pooled placebo arms.
  • The safety of masitinib was consistent with its known tolerability profile.

A new patent was filed based on results from study AB09004, which would permit AB Science to retain exclusive rights on the use of masitinib in Alzheimer’s disease until 2041.

Bruno Dubois (MD, PhD),
Professor of Neurology at the Neurological Institute of the Salpétrière University Hospital at Paris
in France and coordinating investigator of the study
said: “Study AB09004 was a well-designed phase 2b/3 as it compared masitinib on top of standard of care treatment versus the standard of care. These data are very encouraging and may provide new hope for patients with Alzheimer’s disease”.

Philip Scheltens (MD, PhD), Professor of Cognitive Neurology and Director of the Alzheimer Center at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam said: “Results from study AB09004 bring a novel mechanism of action, which is very interesting considering the need for effective treatment in AD. The positive results from this study provide a robust basis to initiate a phase 3 confirmatory study”.

Jeffrey L. Cummings (M.D), Director of the Chamber-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience at UNLV in Las Vegas s
aid: “The data from this study are promising and support the use of the dose 4.5 mg /kg/day of masitinib for the future confirmatory study. Based on the mechanism of action of masitinib targeting the innate immune system via mast cells and microglia, it should be possible to investigate the correlations between clinical endpoints and biomarkers of neuro-inflammation and neurodegeneration in the next study”.


KOL Biographies

The following key opinion leaders participated in the webcast:

Bruno Dubois

Bruno Dubois is currently Professor of Neurology at the Neurological Institute of the Salpétrière University Hospital at Paris, University Pierre et Marie Curie Paris VI. He is Director of the Behavioural Neurology Department and of the Dementia Research Center at the Hospital. He is also Director of the Research Unit Inserm U-610 of the ICM (Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière) of the Hospital. He is coordinator of the National Reference Center on Rare Dementias and of the National Reference Center for young-onset Alzheimer patients. He is President of the Scientific Committee of France-Alzheimer and of IFRAD (International Fund Raising for Alzheimer’s disease), consultant for the Human Frontier Program and Expert of the French Agency of Drugs. He is a member of the European Alzheimer Disease Consortium (EADC). He has published on anatomical and biochemical studies on the central cholinergic systems in rodents and humans; on cognitive neuropharmacology; and on neuropsychology in patients with dementia, with special reference to memory and executive functions. He recently organized an Expert Consensus on the new criteria for Alzheimer’s disease and a Task Force on the new criteria for Parkinson’s disease dementia. He is principal or co-investigator of a number of research programs focusing on AD, prodromal AD and dementia in Parkinson’s disease.

Philip Scheltens

Philip Scheltens, MD, PhD is Professor of Cognitive Neurology and Director of the Alzheimer Center at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, as well as Honorary Professor of Neurology at University College London. From 2011-2015, he was the scientific director of the Dutch Pearlstring Institute (PSI). In 2013, he was appointed vice-chair of the board of the Dutch “Deltaplan Dementie”. Since 2015, he has been a member of the board of the Royal Academy of Sciences and Art. His main clinical and research interests are dementia in the broadest sense, from basic research to care and translational research. He is active in the field of biomarkers and clinical trials and has been the (inter) national PI for many studies, including Phase I–III multicentre clinical trials. He is founder of, and has directed since 2000, the VUmc Alzheimer Center in The Netherlands, and during this period, he has produced over 50 PhD theses. He also founded the Alzheimer Research Center, a center dedicated to and specialised in Alzheimer clinical trials, where he is now a scientific adviser and member of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Scheltens is an active member of several societies, including the Dutch Society for Neurology, the AAN, the Alzheimer Imaging Consortium, the ISTAART Consortium, and the ECNP. He has been instrumental in organising several national and international conferences, including the Imaging Symposium attached to AAIC. He is member of the management board of the dementia panel of the EAN. He is co-editor-in-chief of Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy and acts as an ad hoc reviewer of scientific articles for all of the major journals. He has authored >730 peer reviewed papers and >50 book chapters. His current Hirsch factor is 117 (Google Scholar).

Jeffrey L. Cummings

Jeffrey L. Cummings, M.D., is Director of the Chamber-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience at UNLV in Las Vegas. Dr. Cummings is principal investigator/ director of the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of General Medical Sciences-funded Center for Neurodegeneration and Translational Neuroscience. Dr. Cummings is a world-renowned Alzheimer’s researcher and leader of clinical trials. He has been recognized for his research and leadership contributions in the field of Alzheimer’s disease through the Henderson Award of the American Geriatrics Society (2006), the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Award of the National Alzheimer’s Association (2008) and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Society for Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology (2017). In 2010, he was honored by the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry with their Distinguished Scientist Award. He was featured in Gentlemen’s Quarterly (June 2009) as a “Rockstar of Science.” Dr. Cummings’ interests embrace clinical trials, developing new therapies for brain diseases and the interface of neuroscience and society. Dr. Cummings was formerly professor of neurology and psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), director of the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research at UCLA and director of the Deane F. Johnson Center for Neurotherapeutics at UCLA. He is past president of the Behavioral Neurology Society and of the American Neuropsychiatric Association. Dr. Cummings has authored or edited 39 books and published over 700 peer-reviewed papers. Dr. Cummings completed his neurology residency and a fellowship in behavioral neurology at Boston University, Boston. His U.S. training was followed by a research fellowship in neuropathology and neuropsychiatry at the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, Queen Square, London.

Olivier Hermine, MD, PhD

Olivier Hermine, MD, PhD is Professor of Hematology at Paris V-René Descartes University, Chief of adults Hematology staff at Hospital Necker (Paris), member of the French Académie des Sciences and author of over 700 international publications. Olivier Hermine is also co-founder of AB Science and Head of its scientific committee.

About masitinib

Masitinib is a new orally administered tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets mast cells and macrophages, important cells for immunity, through inhibiting a limited number of kinases. Based on its unique mechanism of action, masitinib can be developed in a large number of conditions in oncology, in inflammatory diseases, and in certain diseases of the central nervous system. In oncology due to its immunotherapy effect, masitinib can have an effect on survival, alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Through its activity on mast cells and microglia and consequently the inhibition of the activation of the inflammatory process, masitinib can have an effect on the symptoms associated with some inflammatory and central nervous system diseases and the degeneration of these diseases.

About AB Science

Founded in 2001, AB Science is a pharmaceutical company specializing in the research, development and commercialization of protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs), a class of targeted proteins whose action are key in signaling pathways within cells. Our programs target only diseases with high unmet medical needs, often lethal with short term survival or rare or refractory to previous line of treatment.
AB Science has developed a proprietary portfolio of molecules and the Company’s lead compound, masitinib, has already been registered for veterinary medicine and is developed in human medicine in oncology, neurological diseases, and inflammatory diseases. The company is headquartered in Paris, France, and listed on Euronext Paris (ticker: AB).

Further information is available on AB Science’s website: www.ab-science.com.

Forward-looking Statements – AB Science

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts. These statements include projections and estimates as well as the assumptions on which they are based, statements based on projects, objectives, intentions and expectations regarding financial results, events, operations, future services, product development and their potential or future performance.

These forward-looking statements can often be identified by the words “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate” or “plan” as well as other similar terms. While AB Science believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of AB Science and which may imply that results and actual events significantly differ from those expressed, induced or anticipated in the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include the uncertainties related to product development of the Company which may not be successful or to the marketing authorizations granted by competent authorities or, more generally, any factors that may affect marketing capacity of the products developed by AB Science, as well as those developed or identified in the public documents filed by AB Science with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), including those listed in the Chapter 4 “Risk Factors” of AB Science reference document filed with the AMF on November 22, 2016, under the number R. 16-078. AB Science disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update the forward-looking information and statements, subject to the applicable regulations, in particular articles 223-1 et seq. of the AMF General Regulations.

For additional information, please contact:

AB Science

Financial Communication & Media Relations
[email protected]

Media Relations – USA

RooneyPartners

Jeffrey Freedman
[email protected]

+1 646 432 0191

Media Relations – France

NewCap

Arthur Rouillé
[email protected]

+33 (0)1 44 71 00 15

Attachment



Antengene Announces Approval of IND Application in China for a Phase 3 Clinical Trial of ATG-010 (Selinexor) in Combination with Bortezomib and Dexamethasone (SVd) for the Treatment of rrMM

PR Newswire

SHANGHAI and HONG KONG, Dec.18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Antengene Corporation Limited (“Antengene”, SEHK: 6996.HK), a leading innovative biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing global first-in-class and/or best-in class therapeutics in hematology and oncology, announced that the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for ATG-010 (selinexor), an oral Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export compound, in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (rrMM) in China.

The trial is a Phase 3 randomized, controlled, open-label, multicenter clinical trial, aiming to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ATG-010, bortezomib and dexamethasone (SVd) regimen against bortezomib and dexamethasone (Vd) regimen in Chinese adult patients with rrMM who have received one to three prior lines of therapy. A total of 150 patients will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive SVd or Vd treatment.

ATG-010 is a first-in-class and only-in-class oral selective inhibitor of nuclear export (SINE) and the first and only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in both relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In December 2020, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN®) added three different ATG-010 combination regimens to its Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN ® Guidelines) for previously treated multiple myeloma, including SVd, SDd and SPd. In China, Antengene is conducting a Phase 2 registrational clinical trial of ATG-010 for rrMM (MARCH).

“The NMPA approval of BENCH trial demonstrates our ability to efficiently execute, and marks a great start of Antegene’s first Phase 3 registrational trial to validate SVd regimen’s efficacy and safety (as evidenced in the global BOSTON trial) in Chinese population.” said Dr. Jay Mei, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Antengene. “Since becoming a public company, our clear focus has been on advancing the clinical development of ATG-010. We will initiate immediately our Phase 3 trial of ATG-010 for rrMM patients in China and believe the unique and novel MoA of ATG-010 will provide physicians new treatment options for more oncology indications.”

About
ATG-
010 (
selinexor,
XPOVIO
®
)

ATG-010 (selinexor, XPOVIO®) is a first-in-class and only-in-class oral selective inhibitor of nuclear export compound, developed by Antengene and Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: KPTI). In July 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ATG-010 in combination with low-dose dexamethasone for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (rrMM) and in June 2020 approved ATG-010 as a single-agent for the treatment of relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (rrDLBCL). ATG-010 is so far the first and only oral SINE compound approved by the FDA. ATG-010 is also being evaluated in several other mid-and later-phase clinical trials across multiple solid tumor indications, including liposarcoma and endometrial cancer. In November 2020, at the Connective Tissue Oncology Society 2020 Annual Meeting (CTOS 2020), Antengene’s partner, Karyopharm Therapeutics, presented positive results from the Phase 3 randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, cross-over SEAL study evaluating single agent, oral ATG-010 versus matching placebo in patients with liposarcoma. Karyopharm also recently announced that the ongoing Phase 3 SIENDO study of ATG-010 in patients with endometrial cancer passed planned interim futility analysis and that Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) recommended the study should proceed as planned without any modifications. Top-line SIENDO study results are expected in the second half of 2021.

Antengene is conducting two Phase 2 registrational clinical trials of ATG-010 in China for relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (MARCH) and for relapsed refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (SEARCH), and has initiated clinical trials for high prevalence cancer types in the Asia Pacific region including peripheral T-cell lymphoma and NK/T-cell lymphoma (TOUCH) and KRAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (TRUMP).

About
Antengene

Antengene Corporation Limited (“Antengene”, SEHK: 6996.HK) is a leading clinical-stage Asia-Pacific biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative oncology medicines. Antengene aims to provide the most advanced anti-cancer drugs to patients in China, the Asia Pacific Region and around the world. Since its establishment, Antengene has built a pipeline of 12 clinical and pre-clinical stage assets, obtained 11 investigational new drug approvals and has 9 ongoing cross-regional clinical trials in Asia Pacific. The vision of Antengene is to “Treat Patients Beyond Borders”. Antengene aims to address significant unmet medical needs by discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class/best-in-class therapeutics.

Forward-
looking
statements

The forward-looking statements made in this article relate only to the events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this article. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this article completely and with the understanding that our actual future results or performance may be materially different from what we expect. In this article, statements of, or references to, our intentions or those of any of our Directors or our Company are made as of the date of this article. Any of these intentions may alter in light of future development.

*XPOVIO® is a registered trademark of Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc.;
NCCN® is a registered trademark of National Comprehensive Cancer Network;
SVd: selinexor, bortezomib and dexamethasone;
SDd: selinexor, daratumumab and dexamethasone;
SPd: selinexor, pomalidomide and dexamethasone.

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/antengene-announces-approval-of-ind-application-in-china-for-a-phase-3-clinical-trial-of-atg-010-selinexor-in-combination-with-bortezomib-and-dexamethasone-svd-for-the-treatment-of-rrmm-301195807.html

SOURCE Antengene Corporation Limited

PPG to Acquire Tikkurila, a Leading Nordic Paint and Coatings Company

PPG to Acquire Tikkurila, a Leading Nordic Paint and Coatings Company

PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Tikkurila (NASDAQ OMX: TIK1V) in an all-cash transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, PPG will commence a tender offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding stock of Tikkurila. Pursuant to the offer, Tikkurila shareholders will receive €25.00 in cash for each share of Tikkurila stock they own, for a total transaction value of approximately €1.1 billion, including the assumption of debt and cash. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

“The combination of PPG and Tikkurila is extremely complementary, both geographically and from a decorative brand perspective,” said Michael McGarry, PPG chairman and chief executive officer. “We have long admired Tikkurila’s rich history of establishing very strong decorative brands and product offerings in several northern and eastern European countries where PPG has minimal decorative presence.

“We will be able to provide customers with even more paint and coatings options by bringing together Tikkurila’s high-quality and environmentally friendly decorative products and distribution capabilities in these countries with PPG’s well-respected industrial and protective coatings. In addition, the combination will provide new cross-selling opportunities, growth opportunities for employees, and product solutions for new segments and customers. We look forward to welcoming the Tikkurila team to PPG and working with them to drive future growth,” concluded McGarry.

Tikkurila was established in 1862, and is headquartered in Vantaa, Finland. The company is a leading producer and distributor of decorative paint and coatings with operations in 11 countries and more than 80% of its revenue coming from Finland, Sweden, Russia, Poland, and the Baltic states. Its premium brands include Tikkurila, ALCRO, and Beckers. In addition, Tikkurila’s industrial paint business participates in the wood and protective coatings end-use segments, among others. The company employs approximately 2,700 people globally and reported sales of approximately €564 million in 2019.

“During the past three years, we have made a clear turnaround and significant progress with our strategy. Joining forces with PPG can help us further accelerate our development with access to new technologies and resources. We look forward to working together with PPG for an even more colourful tomorrow,” said Elisa Markula, CEO of Tikkurila.

PJT Partners LP served as PPG’s financial advisor for the transaction, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and DLA Piper Finland Attorneys Ltd served as PPG’s legal advisors.

Invitation to live webcast on December 18, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. ET

PPG and Tikkurila will hold a live webcast and conference call today on December 18, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. (ET).

To join the webcast, click on the following link: https://tikkurila.videosync.fi/tikkurila-webinar-18-12-2020

Dial-in numbers:

Finland: +358 9 8171 0310

Sweden: +46 8566 42651

UK: +44 33330 00804

US: +1 631 9131422

PIN: 78285809#

Please register or dial in about 5-10 minutes prior to the start of the event. By registering for the event or dialing in to the conference call, participants agree that personal information such as name and company name will be collected. The conference call will be recorded.

Additional details about the tender offer are contained in the attached Nasdaq Helsinki stock exchange release.

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 135 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $15.1 billion in 2019. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

Tikkurila:is a leading Nordic paint company with expertise that spans decades. Tikkurila develops premium products and services that provide its customers with quality that will stand the test of time and weather. Tikkurila operates in eleven countries and its 2,700 dedicated professionals share the joy of building a vivid future through surfaces that make a difference. In 2019, revenue totaled €564 million. The company is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.

Forward-Looking Statements

The forward-looking statements contained herein include statements relating to the timing of and expected benefits of the Tikkurila acquisition. Actual events may differ materially from current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the satisfaction of the conditions of the acquisition and other risks related to completion of the acquisition and actions related thereto; the parties’ ability to complete the acquisition on the anticipated terms and schedule, including the ability to obtain regulatory approvals; the ability of PPG to achieve the expected benefits of the acquisition; and the other risks and uncertainties discussed in PPG’s periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and its current reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and the PPG Logo is a registered trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

# # #

PPG Industries, Inc. announces a voluntary recommended public cash tender offer for all the shares in Tikkurila Oyj

TIKKURILA OYJ

INSIDE INFORMATION

December 18, 2020 at 9:00 EET

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND OR SOUTH AFRICA OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE TENDER OFFER WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

PPG Industries, Inc. (“PPG” or the “Offeror”), a public company incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania, and Tikkurila Oyj (“Tikkurila” or the “Company”) have on December 18, 2020 entered into a combination agreement (the “Combination Agreement”) pursuant to which the Offeror will make a voluntary recommended public cash tender offer for all issued and outstanding shares in the Company (the “Shares”) that are not held by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (the “Tender Offer”). In the Tender Offer, the Company’s shareholders will be offered a cash consideration of EUR 25.00 for each Share validly tendered in the Tender Offer (the “Offer Price”), subject to possible adjustments as described under section “Offer Price”. The Tender Offer values the Company’s total equity at approximately EUR 1.1 billion. The members of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”), who participated in the decision-making have unanimously decided to recommend that the shareholders of the Company accept the Tender Offer.

Key highlights and summary of the Tender Offer

  • The Offer Price represents a premium of approximately 66.2 per cent compared to the closing price of the Shares on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd (“Nasdaq Helsinki”) on December 17, 2020, the last trading day prior to the announcement of the Tender Offer; approximately 70.3 per cent compared to the volume-weighted average trading price of the Shares on Nasdaq Helsinki during the three-month period prior to and up to the date of the announcement of the Tender Offer; and approximately 77.8 per cent compared to the volume-weighted average trading price of the Shares on Nasdaq Helsinki during the 12-month period prior to and up to the date of the announcement of the Tender Offer.
  • The Offeror sees significant value and potential in Tikkurila and accordingly expects to make substantial investments in Tikkurila’s technology, infrastructure and people, as well as provide Tikkurila access to PPG’s global diversified paints, coatings and speciality coatings offerings on which Tikkurila will be able to build and further deepen its customer relationships, develop lateral products and access additional geographies.
  • The completion of the Tender Offer is not expected to have any immediate material effects on the operations or the position of the management or employees of the Company.
  • Certain major shareholders of Tikkurila, i.e. Oras Invest Oy, Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company, Mandatum Life Insurance Company Limited and Kaleva Mutual Insurance Company, representing in aggregate approximately 29.34 per cent of the shares and votes in the Company, have, subject to certain customary conditions, irrevocably undertaken to accept the Tender Offer.
  • The Offeror has secured the required financing to finance the Tender Offer at completion in accordance with its terms, and compulsory redemption proceedings, if any, in accordance with the Finnish Companies Act (624/2006, as amended, the “Finnish Companies Act”).
  • The Offeror expects to publish a tender offer document (the “Tender Offer Document”) with detailed information on the Tender Offer on or about January 15, 2021. The offer period under the Tender Offer is expected to commence on or about January 18, 2021, and to expire on or about March 12, 2021, unless the Offeror extends the offer period in order to satisfy the conditions to completion of the Tender Offer, including, among others, receipt of the relevant regulatory approvals. The Tender Offer is currently expected to be completed during the first half of 2021.
  • The completion of the Tender Offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Offeror of certain customary conditions on or prior to the Offeror’s announcement of the final results of the Tender Offer including, among others, that approvals by the competition authorities and other regulatory authorities have been received and the Offeror having gained control of more than 90 per cent of the Shares and votes in the Company on a fully diluted basis.

Michael McGarry, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PPG:

“The combination of PPG and Tikkurila is extremely complementary, both geographically and from a decorative brand perspective. We have long admired Tikkurila’s rich history of establishing very strong decorative brands and product offerings in several northern and eastern European countries where PPG has minimal decorative presence.

We will be able to provide customers with even more paint and coatings options by bringing together Tikkurila’s high-quality and environmentally friendly decorative products and distribution capabilities in these countries with PPG’s well-respected industrial and protective coatings. In addition, the combination will provide new cross-selling opportunities, growth opportunities for employees, and product solutions for new segments and customers. We look forward to welcoming the Tikkurila team to PPG and working with them to drive future growth.”

Heikki Westerlund, member of the Board of Directors of Tikkurila and Chairman of the Committee representing the independent Members of the Board of Tikkurila:

“During the last couple of years Tikkurila has made extremely good progress in improving its profitability and efficiency. The Board of Directors have supported the company’s vision and strategy to continue to grow profitably. However, the speed of consolidation in the paint industry is accelerating. The Board of Directors did not initiate this process, but since we were contacted, we have analysed the offer based on the framework provided by the Helsinki Takeover Code. We have carefully considered the offeror’s ability to become a good and strong owner of Tikkurila. Tikkurila may benefit from PPG’s long-term expertise in R&D, raw material sourcing and strong presence in industrial products. We have further taken into account the position and future possibilities of personnel as part of a larger entity, as well as the offeror’s strategy in terms of following principles of sustainability. Consistent with this view and considering the fair price offered to the shareholders, the Board of Directors sees that the offer presents both a fair and reasonable alternative for Tikkurila and its shareholders.”

Elisa Markula, CEO of Tikkurila:

“Tikkurila has made a successful turnaround and improved its performance significantly during the last three years thanks to its clear strategic action plan and personnel committed to targets. Further, we have increased sales of our quality brands, improved our operational and commercial excellence and focused on efficiency of all operations. Tikkurila is a leader for decorative paints in Russia, Sweden, Finland and the Baltics. I see great potential in Tikkurila, and I consider the tender offer as an evidence of the good progress we have made.”

Annika Paasikivi, CEO of Oras Invest Oy:

“Over the years we have supported Tikkurila’s journey as a leading paints and coatings company in the Nordic countries and Eastern Europe. As PPG approached the Board of Directors of Tikkurila with a concrete proposal, we wanted to ensure the best solution for both Tikkurila and its shareholders. We have confidence in PPG’s plans to develop Tikkurila to become an even stronger company, and have after careful consideration, undertaken to accept the tender offer as per our 20.01 per cent shareholding. Now that one successful phase comes to an end and another is about to begin, we would like to express our deep gratitude to Tikkurila’s personnel, management and the Board of Directors for consistent and long-term work to develop the company. We would also like to thank other significant owners and investors for the good cooperation.”

Background and strategic rationale of the Tender Offer

The Offeror sees significant value and potential in the Company and accordingly expects to make substantial investments in the Company’s technology, infrastructure and people, as well as provide the Company access to the Offeror’s global diversified paints, coatings and speciality materials offering on which the Company will be able to build and further deepen its customer relationships, develop lateral products and access additional markets.

Upon the completion of the Tender Offer, the Offeror expects to position the Company and its various brands as the Offeror’s platform to the Nordic and Baltic regions, Russia and potentially beyond.

The Offeror intends to maintain the Company’s identity, culture and Finnish values, including its commitment to creating sustainable value for all stakeholders and its various investments in local communities and people. The Offeror expects to maintain the Company’s corporate offices in Finland and various production, distribution and sales centres in the Nordic region. Further, the Offeror intends to continue to invest in the Company’s employees and potentially provide larger roles for many of the Company’s key executives.

The Offeror sees the Company’s strong distribution capability as a platform to significantly grow many of the Offeror’s legacy products in its Protective and Marine, Refinish, and Light Industrial Coatings businesses and expand the Company’s and the Offeror’s combined presence in the region.

The Tender Offer would not have any immediate material effects on the Company’s operations, assets, the position of the Company’s employees or its business locations.

About PPG

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™

PPG develops and delivers paints, coatings and speciality materials that customers have trusted in for more than 135 years. Through dedication and industry-leading expertise, PPG solves customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. PPG has a long heritage of, and commitment to, innovation, sustainable product development and community engagement. PPG has approximately 47,000 employees in 70 countries. PPG serves customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. PPG’s shares are subject to trading on the New York Stock Exchange. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

About Tikkurila

Tikkurila offers a broad range of decorative paints for consumers and professionals for surface protection and decoration. The product offering includes, among others, interior paints, lacquers, and effect products, exterior products for wood, masonry, and metal surfaces, as well as services related to painting. In addition, Tikkurila produces paints and coatings for the metal and wood industries.

Tikkurila’s business highlights strong brands generated through high-quality and long-term product development and considerable marketing investments. Tikkurila’s brands include, among others, Tikkurila, Beckers, Alcro, Teks, and Vivacolor. In addition to the strong brands, important factors in Tikkurila’s operations include a functioning and extensive distribution network, diverse services and an efficient supply chain. Consumers and professionals are the end users of Tikkurila’s products and services.

Tikkurila has seven production facilities in six countries and around 2,700 employees. Tikkurila’s products are available in more than 40 countries. Tikkurila’s Shares have been listed on the official list of Nasdaq Helsinki since 2010.

The Tender Offer in brief

The Offeror and the Company have on December 18, 2020, entered into a Combination Agreement pursuant to which the Offeror will make the Tender Offer. A brief summary of the Combination Agreement has been provided below under the section “The Combination Agreement”.

The Offeror and the Company have undertaken to comply with the Helsinki Takeover Code issued by the Finnish Securities Market Association (the “Helsinki Takeover Code”).

As at the date of this announcement, Tikkurila has 44,108,252 issued shares, of which 44,105,881 are outstanding Shares and 2,371 of which are held in treasury. As at the date of this announcement, the Offeror does not hold any Shares in the Company.

The Offeror reserves the right to acquire Shares during the offer period (including any extension thereof and any subsequent offer period) in public trading on Nasdaq Helsinki or otherwise outside of the Tender Offer.

The Offer Price

The Offer Price is EUR 25.00 in cash for each Share validly tendered in the Tender Offer, subject to any adjustments as set out below.

The Offer Price represents a premium of:

  • approximately 66.2 per cent compared to the closing price of the Shares on Nasdaq Helsinki on December 17, 2020, the last trading day prior to the announcement of the Tender Offer;
  • approximately 70.3 per cent compared to the volume-weighted average trading price of the Shares on Nasdaq Helsinki during the three-month period prior to and up to the date of the announcement of the Tender Offer; and
  • approximately 77.8 per cent compared to the volume-weighted average trading price of the Shares on Nasdaq Helsinki during the 12-month period prior to and up to the date of the announcement of the Tender Offer.

The Offer Price has been determined based on 44,105,881 Shares. Should the Company change the number of Shares as a result of a new issue, reclassification, stock split (including a reverse split) or any other similar transaction with a dilutive effect, or should the Company distribute a dividend or otherwise distribute funds or any other assets to its shareholders, or if a record date with respect to any of the foregoing shall occur prior to the consummation of the Tender Offer, the Offer Price shall be adjusted accordingly on a euro-for-euro basis.

The offer period

The offer period under the Tender Offer is expected to commence on or about January 18, 2021, and to expire on or about March 12, 2021. The Offeror reserves the right to extend the offer period from time to time in accordance with, and subject to, the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer and applicable laws and regulations, in order to satisfy the conditions to completion of the Tender Offer, including, among others, the receipt of approvals from relevant competition authorities or other regulatory authorities as set out in the Combination Agreement (or, where applicable, expiry of relevant waiting periods) (the “Regulatory Approvals”). The Tender Offer is currently expected to be completed during the first half of 2021. For further information, see “Regulatory Approvals”.

The detailed terms and conditions of the Tender Offer as well as instructions on how to accept the Tender Offer will be included in the Tender Offer Document, which the Offeror expects to publish on or about January 15, 2021.

Recommendation by the Board of Directors of Tikkurila

The members of the Board of Directors of Tikkurila, who participated in the decision-making, have unanimously, subject to the terms and conditions of the Combination Agreement and its fiduciary duties under Finnish laws and regulations (including the Helsinki Takeover Code), decided to recommend that the shareholders of the Company accept the Tender Offer. The Board of Directors will issue its statement on the Tender Offer in accordance with the Finnish Securities Markets Act (746/2012, as amended, the “Finnish Securities Markets Act”) before the commencement of the offer period. To support its assessment of the Tender Offer, the Board of Directors of the Company has received a fairness opinion from the Company’s financial adviser Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ), Helsinki branch (“SEB”), according to which the Offer Price is fair from a financial point of view from the perspective of the shareholders of the Company. The complete fairness opinion will be attached to the statement of the Board of Directors.

The statement of the Board of Directors in accordance with the Finnish Securities Markets Act regarding the Tender Offer will be published prior to the commencement of the offer period and appended to the Tender Offer Document.

Support by certain major shareholders of Tikkurila

Certain major shareholders of Tikkurila, i.e. Oras Invest Oy, Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company, Mandatum Life Insurance Company Limited and Kaleva Mutual Insurance Company, together representing approximately 29.34 per cent of all the shares and votes in the Company, have irrevocably undertaken to accept the Tender Offer subject to certain customary conditions.

Conditions to completion of the Tender Offer

A condition to the completion of the Tender Offer is that the requirements set forth below for the completion of the Tender Offer (the “Conditions to Completion”) are fulfilled on or by the date of the Offeror’s announcement of the final result of the Tender Offer in accordance with Chapter 11, Section 18 of the Finnish Securities Markets Act, or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, their fulfilment is waived by the Offeror:

  • the Tender Offer has been validly accepted with respect to Shares representing, together with any Shares otherwise held by the Offeror prior to the announcement of the final result of the Tender Offer, on a fully diluted basis, more than ninety (90) per cent of the Shares and voting rights in the Company calculated in accordance with Chapter 18, Section 1 of the Finnish Companies Act governing the right and obligation to commence redemption proceedings (such condition, the “Minimum Condition”);
  • the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, permits and consents required under any applicable competition laws or other regulatory laws in any jurisdiction for the completion of the Tender Offer by the Offeror;
  • no legislation or other regulation having been issued or decision by a competent court or regulatory authority having been given that would wholly or in any material part prevent or postpone the completion of the Tender Offer;
  • no fact or circumstance having arisen after December 18, 2020 that constitutes a material adverse change;
  • the Offeror not, after December 18, 2020, having received information previously undisclosed to it that constitutes a material adverse change;
  • no information made public by the Company or disclosed by the Company to the Offeror being materially inaccurate, incomplete or misleading and the Company not having failed to make public or disclose any information that should have been made public or disclosed by it under applicable laws, provided that, in each case, the information made public, disclosed or the failure to disclose information constitutes a material adverse change;
  • the Combination Agreement having not been terminated in accordance with its terms and remaining in full force and effect and no event having occurred that, with the passage of time, would give the Offeror the right to terminate the Combination Agreement under specified sections of the Combination Agreement that give the Offeror the right to terminate the Combination Agreement in response to a breach of the Combination Agreement by the Company;
  • the Board of Directors of the Company having issued its unanimous recommendation that the shareholders of the Company accept the Tender Offer and the recommendation remaining in full force and effect and not having been modified, cancelled or changed (excluding any technical modification or change of the recommendation required under applicable laws or the Helsinki Takeover Code as a result of a competing offer so long as the recommendation to accept the Tender Offer is upheld); and
  • the undertakings by Oras Invest Oy, Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company, Mandatum Life Insurance Company Limited and Kaleva Mutual Insurance Company to accept the Tender Offer remaining in full force and effect in accordance with their terms and not having been modified, cancelled or changed.

The Conditions to Completion set out herein are exhaustive. The Offeror may only invoke any of the Conditions to Completion so as to cause the Tender Offer not to proceed, to lapse or to be withdrawn, if the circumstances which give rise to the right to invoke the relevant Condition to Completion have a significant meaning to the Offeror in view of the Tender Offer, as referred to in the Regulations and Guidelines 9/2013 (Takeover bids and mandatory bids) of the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority, and the Helsinki Takeover Code. The Offeror reserves the right to waive, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, any of the Conditions to Completion that have not been fulfilled, including, for the avoidance of doubt, reducing the Minimum Condition. If all Conditions to Completion have been fulfilled or waived by the Offeror no later than at the time of announcement of the final results of the Tender Offer, the Offeror will consummate the Tender Offer in accordance with its terms and conditions after the expiration of the Offer Period by purchasing Shares validly tendered in the Tender Offer and paying the Offer Price to the shareholders that have validly accepted the Tender Offer.

Regulatory Approvals

The Offeror will, as soon as reasonably practicable, make all material and customary submissions, notifications and filings (or draft notifications as appropriate) required to obtain the Regulatory Approvals.

Based on currently available information, the Offeror expects to obtain the Regulatory Approvals and to complete the Tender Offer during the first half of 2021. The Offeror will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the competition authorities approvals subject to the Conditions to Completion. However, the length of the merger control and foreign investment clearance process is not within the control of the Offeror, and there can be no assurances that clearance will be obtained within the estimated timeframe, or at all.

Financing

The Offeror has received debt commitments to finance the Tender Offer at completion and compulsory redemption proceedings, if any. The Offeror’s obligation to complete the Tender Offer is not conditional upon availability of financing (assuming that all the Conditions to Completion of the Tender Offer are otherwise satisfied or waived by the Offeror).

Future plans concerning the Shares

The Offeror intends to acquire all the Shares. If as a result of the completion of the Tender Offer, the Offeror’s ownership exceeds 90 per cent of all the Shares and votes in the Company, when calculated together with any Shares otherwise held by the Offeror prior to the date of the announcement of the final result of the Tender Offer, the Offeror intends to commence compulsory redemption proceedings in accordance with the Finnish Companies Act for all the Shares not purchased pursuant to the Tender Offer. Thereafter, the Offeror will apply for the Shares in the Company to be delisted from Nasdaq Helsinki as soon as permitted and reasonably practicable under the applicable laws and regulations and the rules of Nasdaq Helsinki.

The Combination Agreement

The Combination Agreement between the Company and the Offeror sets forth the principal terms under which the Offeror will make the Tender Offer.

Under the Combination Agreement, the Board of Directors may, at any time prior to the completion of the Tender Offer, withdraw, modify or amend its recommendation, only if the Board of Directors, on the basis of its fiduciary duties under Finnish laws and regulations (including the Helsinki Takeover Code) and due to a possible superior competing offer or proposal or materially changed circumstances, determines in good faith, after consultation with the Company’s external legal counsel and/or financial advisor, that the acceptance of the Tender Offer would no longer be in the best interest of the holders of the Shares and that the failure to effect a change of recommendation would be a breach of the Board of Director’s fiduciary duties. The Board of Directors may withdraw, modify or amend its recommendation for the Tender Offer in accordance with the above only if the Board of Directors has complied with certain agreed procedures allowing PPG to negotiate with the Board of Directors and to amend the terms and conditions of its Tender Offer pursuant to the Combination Agreement. In considering whether a competing offer or proposal constitutes a superior offer, the Board of Directors of the Company shall take into account all relevant factors, including the terms and conditions of the potential superior offer and whether the potential superior offer is reasonably capable of being consummated on its terms.

The Company has agreed to not, and to cause its subsidiaries and its and their respective officers, directors, employees and other representatives not to, directly or indirectly solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage or facilitate any competing offer prior to the completion of the Tender Offer, except to the extent that the Board of Directors determines in good faith, after having received advice from its external legal counsel and financial advisor, that such measures are necessary in order for the Board of Directors of the Company to comply with its fiduciary duties or the disclosure obligations under applicable Finnish laws, regulations or stock exchange rules.

The Combination Agreement further includes certain customary representations, warranties, covenants and undertakings by both parties, such as conduct of business by Tikkurila in the ordinary course of business before the completion of the Tender Offer and cooperation by the parties in completing the transactions contemplated by the Combination Agreement.

The Combination Agreement may be terminated by Tikkurila or PPG under certain circumstances, including, among others, upon a breach of any warranty or undertaking given by Tikkurila or PPG, subject to materiality thresholds and cure periods. In the event the Combination Agreement is terminated due to certain reasons specified in the Combination Agreement, Tikkurila has agreed to pay PPG a termination fee of an agreed amount.

Advisers

Tikkurila has appointed SEB as financial adviser and Hannes Snellman Attorneys Ltd as legal adviser in connection with the Tender Offer. The Offeror has appointed PJT Partners LP as financial adviser and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and DLA Piper Finland Attorneys Ltd. as legal advisers in connection with the Tender Offer.

Invitation to live webcast briefing on December 18, 2020 at 2.30 p.m. EET

Tikkurila and the Offeror will arrange a live webcast and conference call in English today on December 18, 2020 at 2.30 p.m. (EET). Because of the time differences, the webcast briefing will be arranged later in the afternoon Helsinki time.

The webcast can be viewed at:

https://tikkurila.videosync.fi/tikkurila-webinar-18-12-2020

Dial-in numbers:

Finland: +358 9 8171 0310

Sweden: +46 8566 42651

UK: +44 33330 00804

US: +1 631 9131422

PIN: 78285809#

To join the webcast, participants are kindly requested to register or dial in about 5-10 minutes prior to the start of the event.

By registering to the event or dialing in to the conference call, the participant agrees that personal information such as name and company name will be collected. The conference call will be recorded.

This review and related presentation material will be available http://www.tikkurilagroup.com/investors after the news conference.

Investor and media enquiries (after the news conference) via Outi Katainen, Tikkurila, +358 44 906 2450, [email protected]

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

THIS RELEASE MAY NOT BE RELEASED OR OTHERWISE DISTRIBUTED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND OR SOUTH AFRICA OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE TENDER OFFER WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

THIS RELEASE IS NOT A TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT AND AS SUCH DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR INVITATION TO MAKE A SALES OFFER. IN PARTICULAR, THIS RELEASE IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN, AND IS NOT AN EXTENSION OF THE TENDER OFFER, IN, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND OR SOUTH AFRICA. INVESTORS SHALL ACCEPT THE TENDER OFFER FOR THE SHARES ONLY ON THE BASIS OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN A TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT. THE TENDER OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE, AND THE SHARES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR PURCHASE FROM OR ON BEHALF OF PERSONS, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE EITHER AN OFFER OR ACCEPTANCE THEREOF IS PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR WHERE ANY TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT OR REGISTRATION OR OTHER REQUIREMENTS WOULD APPLY IN ADDITION TO THOSE UNDERTAKEN IN FINLAND.

THE TENDER OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW AND, WHEN PUBLISHED, THE TENDER OFFER DOCUMENT AND RELATED ACCEPTANCE FORMS WILL NOT AND MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED, FORWARDED OR TRANSMITTED INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAWS OR REGULATIONS. IN PARTICULAR, THE TENDER OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO, BY USE OF THE POSTAL SERVICE OF, OR BY ANY MEANS OR INSTRUMENTALITY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, E-MAIL, FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION, TELEX, TELEPHONE OR ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION BY WAY OF THE INTERNET OR OTHERWISE) OF INTERSTATE OR FOREIGN COMMERCE OF, OR THROUGH ANY FACILITIES OF A NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE OF, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND OR SOUTH AFRICA. THE TENDER OFFER CANNOT BE ACCEPTED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, BY ANY SUCH USE, MEANS OR INSTRUMENTALITY OR FROM WITHIN, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND OR SOUTH AFRICA AND ANY PURPORTED ACCEPTANCE OF THE TENDER OFFER RESULTING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM A VIOLATION OF THESE RESTRICTIONS WILL BE INVALID.

THIS STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE HAS BEEN PREPARED IN COMPLIANCE WITH FINNISH LAW, THE RULES OF NASDAQ HELSINKI AND THE HELSINKI TAKEOVER CODE AND THE INFORMATION DISCLOSED MAY NOT BE THE SAME AS THAT WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN DISCLOSED IF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAD BEEN PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF JURISDICTIONS OUTSIDE OF FINLAND.

Information for shareholders of Tikkurila in the United States

Shareholders of Tikkurila in the United States are advised that the Shares are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange and that Tikkurila is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) thereunder.

The Tender Offer will be made for the issued and outstanding shares of Tikkurila, which is domiciled in Finland, and is subject to Finnish disclosure and procedural requirements. The Tender Offer is made in the United States pursuant to Section 14(e) and Regulation 14E under the Exchange Act, subject to exemptions provided by Rule 14d-1(d) under the Exchange Act for a “Tier II” tender offer, and otherwise in accordance with the disclosure and procedural requirements of Finnish law, including with respect to the Tender Offer timetable, settlement procedures, withdrawal, waiver of conditions and timing of payments, which are different from those of the United States. In particular, the financial information included in this announcement has been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards in Finland, which may not be comparable to the financial statements or financial information of U.S. companies. The Tender Offer is made to the Company’s shareholders resident in the United States on the same terms and conditions as those made to all other shareholders of the Company to whom an offer is made.

To the extent permissible under applicable law or regulations, the Offeror and its affiliates or its brokers and its brokers’ affiliates (acting as agents for the Offeror or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time after the date of this stock exchange release and during the pendency of the Tender Offer, and other than pursuant to the Tender Offer, directly or indirectly, purchase or arrange to purchase the Shares or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for the Shares. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in Finland, such information will be disclosed by means of a press release or other means reasonably calculated to inform U.S. shareholders of such information. No purchases will be made outside the Tender Offer in the United States by or on behalf of the Offeror. In addition, the financial advisers to the Offeror may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of the Company, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities. To the extent required in Finland, any information about such purchases will be made public in Finland in the manner required by Finnish law.

Neither the SEC nor any U.S. state securities commission has approved or disapproved the Tender Offer, passed upon the merits or fairness of the Tender Offer, or passed any comment upon the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of the disclosure in this stock exchange release. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

The receipt of cash pursuant to the Tender Offer by a U.S. holder of Shares may be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and under applicable U.S. state and local, as well as foreign and other, tax laws. Each holder of Shares is urged to consult its independent professional adviser immediately regarding the tax consequences of accepting the Tender Offer.

It may be difficult for the Company’s shareholders to enforce their rights and any claims they may have arising under the U.S. federal securities laws, since the Company is located in a non-U.S. jurisdiction, and some or all of its officers and directors may be residents of non-U.S. jurisdictions. The Company’s shareholders may not be able to sue the Company or its officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. federal securities laws. It may be difficult to compel the Company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court’s judgment.

Forward-looking statements

This stock exchange release contains statements that, to the extent they are not historical facts, constitute “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, expectations, projections, objectives, targets, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, competitive strengths and weaknesses, plans or goals relating to financial position, future operations and development, business strategy and the trends in the industries and the political and legal environment and other information that is not historical information. In some instances, they can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms believes”, “intends”, “may”, “will” or “should” or, in each case, their negative or variations on comparable terminology. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions, both general and specific, and risks exist that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as at the date of this stock exchange release.

Disclaimers

PJT Partners LP is acting exclusively for the Offeror and no one else in connection with the Tender Offer or the matters referred to in this document, will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this document) as its client in relation to the Tender Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Offeror for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Tender Offer or any other transaction or arrangement referred to in this document.

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ), Helsinki branch, is acting exclusively as the financial adviser for the Company and no one else in connection with the Tender Offer or the matters referred to in this document, will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this document) than the Company as its client in relation to the Tender Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients nor for providing advice in relation to the Tender Offer or any other transaction or arrangement referred to in this document.

CATEGORY Corporate

Media Contact:

Mark Silvey

Corporate Communications

+1-412-434-3046

[email protected]

Investor Contact:

John Bruno

Investor Relations

+1-412-434-3466

[email protected]

investor.ppg.com

KEYWORDS: Pennsylvania Europe Finland United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Building Systems Manufacturing Interior Design Construction & Property Chemicals/Plastics

MEDIA:

Logo
Logo

Adverty releases in-game ad SDK on Unity Asset Store

PR Newswire

STOCKHOLM, Dec. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ —

Adverty AB (publ) announces the release of its Unity SDK on Unity Asset Store, providing developers with easy access to its patented ad technology for unobtrusive in-game advertising.

Adverty, the leading in-game platform for advertisers, agencies and content creators, has announced the release of its Unity SDK on the Unity Asset Store, a marketplace where game developers and publishers can find, source, and sell everything they need to be successful, including third party assets, tools, and services.

Adverty’s seamless advertising solution uses Unity to display unobtrusive in-game ads through an SDK (Software Development Kit), previously only accessible from the Adverty website www.adverty.com. In this latest installment, the Unity SDK from Adverty will also be easily accessible to developers on the Unity Asset Store through a direct collaboration with Unity Technologies.

“We are delighted to share our revolutionary in-game monetization service with Unity’s game developer community; accessible directly within their production environment. This collaboration helps us reach a much wider range of game developers on a global scale,” explains Calle Sténson, Director of Client Technology at Adverty.

The Adverty Unity SDK has been customized for the Unity Asset Store to feature an easy onboarding process for developers using the service. For the ultimate experience, Adverty has included various pre-modeled ad placements such as billboards, floor stands and poster frames in the package. This will satisfy each level of game developer interested in monetizing their creations with unobtrusive, seamless in-game ads.

The Adverty Unity SDK is available on the Unity Asset Store on the following link:

https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/add-ons/adverty-monetize-100-of-gameplay-with-unobtrusive-in-game-ads-183869

For further information, please contact:

Niklas Bakos, CEO
Phone: +46 733 28 1110
E-mail: [email protected]

This information is information that Adverty AB (publ) is obliged to disclose under the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was provided, through the contact of the above contact person, for publication on the 18th of December 2020.

Augment Partners AB, phone +46 8-505 65 172, act as certified advisor/mentor for the company at NGM Nordic SME.


About Adverty 

Adverty, the leading in-game platform, delivers seamless advertising to connect brands and people through its revolutionary display advertising technology built for games. The platform offers true in-game ad inventory at scale and allows content creators to monetise the complete experience with unobtrusive, easy-to-integrate, immersive ads. Founded in 2016, Adverty has offices in Stockholm, London and Lviv and works with advertisers, agencies and developers to unlock audiences and gaming revenue streams. More information at www.adverty.com.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/adverty-ab/r/adverty-releases-in-game-ad-sdk-on-unity-asset-store,c3257575

The following files are available for download:

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adverty-releases-in-game-ad-sdk-on-unity-asset-store-301195805.html

SOURCE Adverty AB

Swissmedic approves Buvidal for the treatment of opioid dependence

PR Newswire

LUND, Sweden, Dec. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Camurus AB (NASDAQ STO: CAMX) announced today that the Swiss agency for therapeutic products, Swissmedic, has approved weekly and monthly Buvidal® prolonged release buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid dependence in adults and adolescents from 16 years of age. This marks the first approval of a long-acting treatment for opioid dependence in Switzerland.

“We are pleased with the expeditious review and approval of our market authorization application for Buvidal by Swissmedic and that patients with opioid dependence in Switzerland will now have access to an effective long-acting treatment,” says Fredrik Tiberg, PhD, President & CEO of Camurus.

There are currently an estimated 20,000 patients receiving pharmacological treatment for opioid dependence in Switzerland, of which a majority are on daily opioid agonist treatment.1

Buvidal is a long-acting buprenorphine medication given as a subcutaneous injection once a week or once a month. In clinical studies, the treatment has proven to be effective in reducing illicit opioid use, alleviating opioid withdrawal and cravings, achieving opioid blockade, and improving patient reported experiences and outcomes compared with daily sublingual medications.2-5

Opioid dependence is a serious, chronic, relapsing disease associated with a disproportionate amount of drug-related harm that includes infectious diseases and other health problems, mortality, unemployment, homelessness and social exclusion6.

For more information

Fredrik Tiberg, President & CEO
Tel. +46 (0)46 286 46 92
[email protected] 

Fredrik Joabsson, Chief Business Development Officer
Tel. +46 (0)70 776 17 37
[email protected]

About Buvidal

Buvidal (buprenorphine prolonged-release solution for subcutaneous injection in prefilled syringe) is indicated for the treatment of opioid dependence within a framework of medical, social and psychological treatment. Treatment is intended for use in adults and adolescents aged 16 years or over. Buvidal is designed for flexible dosing and is available in four weekly strengths (8 mg, 16 mg, 24 mg and 32 mg) and three monthly strengths (64 mg, 96 mg and 128 mg), enabling treatment to be tailored to the patient’s individual needs. Administration of Buvidal is restricted to healthcare professionals, increasing treatment compliance, and minimizing risks of diversion, misuse and pediatric exposure.

Buvidal received market authorizations in EU and Australia in November 2018.  

About Camurus

Camurus is a Swedish, science-led biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing innovative, long-acting medicines for the treatment of severe and chronic conditions. New drug products with best-in-class potential are conceived based on the company’s proprietary FluidCrystal® drug delivery technologies and its extensive R&D expertise. Camurus’ clinical pipeline includes products for the treatment of cancer, endocrine diseases, pain and addiction, which are developed in-house and in collaboration with international pharmaceutical companies. The company’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker CAMX. For more information, visit

camurus.com

.

Reference : 


  1. https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/de/home/gesund-leben/sucht-und-gesundheit/suchtberatung-therapie/substitutionsgestuetzte-behandlung.html
  2. Lofwall MR, Walsh SL, Nunes EV, et al. Weekly and monthly subcutaneous buprenorphine depot formulations vs daily sublingual buprenorphine with naloxone for treatment of opioid use disorder: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2018; 178(6):764-773.
  3. Frost M, Bailey GL, Lintzeris N, et al. Longterm safety of a weekly and monthly subcutaneous buprenorphine depot (CAM2038) in the treatment of adult outpatients with opioid use disorder. Addiction. 2019; 114(8):1416-1426
  4. Walsh SL, Comer SD, Lofwall MR, et al. Effect of Buprenorphine Weekly Depot (CAM2038) and Hydromorphone Blockade in Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2017; 74(9): 894-902
  5. Lintzeris N, Dunlop A, Haber P, et al. Results of the DEBUT Study – A Multisite, Open-Label RCT of Weekly and Monthly Depot Buprenorphine Injections (CAM2038) Vs. Daily Sublingual Therapy Investigating Patient Reported Outcomes in Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder. Presented at The College on Problems of Drug Dependence, (CPDD) Virtual Meeting June 22-24, 2020

  6. https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/best-practice/briefings/tackling-opioid-dependence_en

     

The information was submitted for publication at 8:00 am CET on 18 December 2020.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/camurus-ab/r/swissmedic-approves-buvidal-for-the-treatment-of-opioid-dependence,c3257661

The following files are available for download:

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/swissmedic-approves-buvidal-for-the-treatment-of-opioid-dependence-301195803.html

SOURCE Camurus AB

Philips to become a global leader in patient care management solutions for the hospital and the home through the acquisition of BioTelemetry, Inc.

December 18, 2020

  • Philips to acquire BioTelemetry, Inc. for
    USD 72.00 per share; implied enterprise value of USD 2.8 billion (approx. EUR 2.3 billion)
  • Acquisition is a strong fit with Philips’ strategy to transform the delivery of healthcare: combination of Philips’ leading patient monitoring position in the hospital with BioTelemetry’s leading cardiac diagnostics and monitoring position outside the hospital
  • With 2019 sales of USD 439 million, BioTelemetry
    annually monitors over 1 million cardiac patients remotely; its
    portfolio includes wearable heart monitors,
    AI-based data analytics and services
  • C
    ombination will result in significant synergies driven by cross-selling opportunities, g
    eographical expansion, portfolio innovation synergies
    , and productivity gains
  • BioTelemetry business is expected to deliver double-digit growth and improve its Adjusted EBITA margin to over 20% by 2025; acquisition will be
    sales growth and adjusted EBITA margin accretive for Philips in 2021

Amsterdam, the Netherlands –

Royal Philips
(NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, and BioTelemetry, Inc. (NASDAQ: BEAT), a leading U.S.-based provider of remote cardiac diagnostics and monitoring, today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, Philips will commence a tender offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of BioTelemetry for USD 72.00 per share, to be paid in cash upon completion. This represents a 16.5 percent premium to BioTelemetry’s closing price on December 17, 2020. The implied enterprise value is USD 2.8 billion (approximately EUR 2.3 billion), inclusive of BioTelemetry’s cash and debt. The board of directors of BioTelemetry has approved the transaction and recommends the offer to its shareholders. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2021.

The acquisition of BioTelemetry is a strong fit with Philips’ cardiac care portfolio, and its strategy to transform the delivery of care along the health continuum with integrated solutions. The combination of Philips’ leading patient monitoring position in the hospital with BioTelemetry’s leading cardiac diagnostics and monitoring position outside the hospital, will result in a global leader in patient care management solutions for the hospital and the home for cardiac and other patients. Philips’ current portfolio includes real-time patient monitoring, therapeutic devices, telehealth and informatics. Moreover, Philips has an advanced and secure cloud-based Philips HealthSuite digital platform optimized for the delivery of healthcare across care settings. Every year, Philips’ integrated solutions monitor around 300 million patients in hospitals, as well as around 10 million sleep and respiratory care patients in their own homes.

“The acquisition of BioTelemetry fits perfectly with our strategy to be a leading provider of patient care management solutions for the hospital and the home,” said Frans van Houten, CEO of Royal Philips. “BioTelemetry’s leadership in the large and fast growing ambulatory cardiac diagnostics and monitoring market complements our leading position in the hospital. Leveraging our collective expertise, we will be in an optimal position to improve patient care across care settings for multiple diseases and medical conditions.”

“Through continued innovation, we have developed the world’s largest remote cardiac monitoring services network,” said Joseph H. Capper, President and CEO of BioTelemetry. “We are delighted to become part of Philips and continue on our journey to deliver health information to improve the quality of life and reduce the cost of care. Combined with Philips’ current patient care management portfolio, innovation strength and global scale, we are perfectly equipped to address the rising demand for telehealth and remote monitoring solutions.”

BioTelemetry primarily focuses on the diagnosis and monitoring of heart rhythm disorders, representing 85% of its sales. BioTelemetry’s clinically validated offering includes wearable heart monitors (e.g. a mobile cardiac outpatient telemetry patch and extended Holter monitor) that detect and transmit abnormal heart rhythms wirelessly, AI-based data analytics and services. With over 30,000 unique referring physicians per month, BioTelemetry provides services for over one million patients per year. Additionally, BioTelemetry has a clinical research business that provides testing services for clinical trials. The total addressable market is USD 3+ billion, growing high-single-digits driven by an increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and the adoption of remote monitoring and outcome-oriented models.

Financials

Upon completion of the transaction, BioTelemetry and its approximately 1,900 employees will become part of Philips’ Connected Care business segment. The acquisition is projected to be sales growth and adjusted EBITA margin accretive for Philips in 2021. Philips targets significant synergies driven by cross-selling opportunities (especially in the U.S.), geographical expansion, and portfolio innovation synergies, such as Philips’ Health Suite digital platform. Additionally, Philips will drive operational performance improvements through its proven productivity programs. The BioTelemetry business is expected to grow double-digits and to improve its Adjusted EBITA margin to more than 20% by 2025.

Transaction

The transaction is structured as a cash tender offer by Philips for all of the issued and outstanding shares of BioTelemetry, to be followed by a merger in which each share of BioTelemetry not tendered in the tender offer (other than shares that are held by Philips and certain of its affiliates, and BioTelemetry) will be converted into the USD 72.00 per share price paid in the tender offer. Pursuant to the merger agreement, the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. The tender offer is not subject to any financing conditions.

For further information, please contact:

Steve Klink
Philips Global Press Office
Tel.: +31 6 10888824
E-mail: [email protected]

Derya Guzel
Philips Investor Relations
Tel.: +31 20 59 77055
E-mail: [email protected]

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and well-being, and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum – from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2019 sales of EUR 19.5 billion and employs approximately 81,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

About BioTelemetry

BioTelemetry, Inc. is the leading remote medical technology company focused on the delivery of health information to improve quality of life and reduce cost of care.  The company provides remote cardiac monitoring, centralized core laboratory services for clinical trials, remote blood glucose monitoring and original equipment manufacturing that serves both healthcare and clinical research customers.  More information can be found at www.gobio.com.

Important Information

The tender offer described in this communication (the “Offer”) has not yet commenced, and this communication is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any shares of the common stock of BioTelemetry or any other securities. On the commencement date of the Offer, a tender offer statement on Schedule TO, including an offer to purchase, a letter of transmittal and related documents, will be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by Philips and a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 will be filed with the SEC by BioTelemetry. The offer to purchase shares of BioTelemetry common stock will only be made pursuant to the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and related documents filed as a part of the Schedule TO. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ BOTH THE TENDER OFFER STATEMENT AND THE SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT REGARDING THE OFFER, AS THEY MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. The tender offer statement will be filed with the SEC by Davies Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Philips Holding USA Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Philips, and the solicitation/recommendation statement will be filed with the SEC by BioTelemetry. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of these statements (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or by directing such requests to the Information Agent for the Offer, which will be named in the tender offer statement.

Forward-looking statements

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Philips and certain of the plans and objectives of Philips with respect to these items, including without limitation completion of the Offer and merger and any expected benefits of the merger, and certain forward-looking statements regarding BioTelemetry, including without limitation with respect to its business, the Offer and merger, the expected timetable for completing the transaction, and the strategic and other potential benefits of the transaction. Completion of the Offer and merger are subject to conditions, including satisfaction of a minimum tender condition and the need for regulatory approvals, and there can be no assurance that those conditions can be satisfied or that the transactions described in this release (the “Transactions”) will be completed or will be completed when expected. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans,” “expects,” “expected,” “scheduled,” “estimates,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “potential,” “continues” or “believes,” or variations of such words and phrases, or by statements that certain actions, events, conditions, circumstances or results “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, (i) the risk that not all conditions of the Offer or the merger will be satisfied or waived; (ii) uncertainties relating to the anticipated timing of filings and approvals relating to the Transactions; (iii) uncertainties as to the timing of the Offer and merger; (iv) uncertainties as to how many of BioTelemetry’s stockholders will tender their stock in the Offer; (v) the possibility that competing offers will be made; (vi) the failure to complete the Offer or the merger in the timeframe expected by the parties or at all; (vii) the outcome of legal proceedings that may be instituted against BioTelemetry and/or others relating to the Transactions; (viii) the risk that the Transactions disrupt current plans and operations of BioTelemetry and adversely affect its ability to maintain relationships with employees, customers, or suppliers; (ix) the possibility that the parties may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies within the expected time-frames or at all and to successfully integrate BioTelemetry’s operations into those of Philips; (x) the successful implementation of Philips’ strategy and the ability to realize the benefits of this strategy; (xi) domestic and global economic and business conditions; (xii) market and supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 outbreak; (xiii) regulatory developments affecting Philips’ and or BioTelemetry’s actual or proposed products or technologies; (xiv) political, economic and other developments in countries where Philips operates; (xv) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events or epidemics, pandemics or similar public health events (including the COVID-19 outbreak); (xvi) industry consolidation and competition; (xvii)  the possibility that Philips’ business and/or BioTelemetry’s business will be adversely impacted during the pendency of the Transactions and (xviii) other risk factors described in BioTelemetry’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information known to Philips on the date of this announcement. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Neither Philips nor BioTelemetry undertakes any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

 



Lysogene Announces a Change in the Organization of KGA, Minority Shareholder of Lysogene

Lysogene Announces a Change in the Organization of KGA, Minority Shareholder of Lysogene

PARIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Regulatory News:

Lysogene (Paris:LYS) (FR0013233475 – LYS), a phase 3 gene therapy platform Company targeting central nervous system (CNS) diseases, announces a change in the governance and control of KGA, a company co-owned by Karen Aiach and which currently owns approximately 6% of Lysogene’s capital.

As part of a reorganization of her personal assets, Karen Aiach, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lysogene, has resigned from her position as Chairman of KGA and sold some of her shares in KGA, which she consequently no longer jointly controls.

These changes are in response to personal considerations, not specific to the stake held in Lysogene. Moreover, they have no impact on the interest that Karen Aiach holds directly in the capital of Lysogene.

Karen Aiach confirms that KGA will continue to support Lysogene. She also reaffirms her determination to exercise her functions within the company and to remain fully focused on her missions within Lysogene.

About Lysogene

Lysogene is a gene therapy Company focused on the treatment of orphan diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). The Company has built a unique capability to enable a safe and effective delivery of gene therapies to the CNS to treat lysosomal diseases and other genetic disorders of the CNS. A phase 2/3 clinical trial in MPS IIIA in partnership with Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. is ongoing and a phase 1/3 clinical trial in GM1 gangliosidosis is in preparation. In accordance with the agreements signed between Lysogene and Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. will hold exclusive commercial rights to LYS-SAF302 in the United States and markets outside Europe; and Lysogene will maintain commercial exclusivity of LYS-SAF302 in Europe. Lysogene is also collaborating with an academic partner to define the strategy of development for the treatment of Fragile X syndrome, a genetic disease related to autism. www.lysogene.com.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements, especially on the Company’s progress of its phase 2-3 clinical trial and cash runway. Although the Company believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, all statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release about future events are subject to (i) change without notice, (ii) factors beyond the Company’s control, (iii) clinical trial results, (iv) increased manufacturing costs and (v) potential claims on its products. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by or including words such as “target,” “believe,” “expect,” “aim,” “intend,” “may,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “objective”, “project,” “will,” “can have,” “likely,” “should,” “would,” “could” and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Company’s control that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the expected results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other risks can be found in the Company’s regulatory filings with the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers, including in the 2019 universal registration document, registered with the French Markets Authorities on April 30, 2020, under number D.20-0427, and future filings and reports by the Company. Furthermore, these forward-looking statements are only as of the date of this press release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. If the Company updates one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will or will not make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

This press release has been prepared in both French and English. In the event of any differences between the two texts, the French language version shall supersede.

Stéphane Durant des Aulnois

Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

+ 33 1 41 43 03 99

KEYWORDS: Europe United States North America France

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Infectious Diseases Stem Cells Genetics Other Health Clinical Trials

MEDIA:

The TV2 Regions, Danish broadcast company, uses Agillic to deliver personalised news

Press release, Copenhagen 18 December 2020

 

Personalisation is on the rise. Also, when it comes to news consumption. In a crowded digital media landscape – where the media are competing for attention – relevance, and personalisation can make all the difference. We are happy to announce that Agillic, together with its partner Dwarf, is helping the TV2 Regions procure a personalised news flow based on the individual user’s preferences.

Agillic’s partner, Dwarf, has developed a brand-new infrastructure featuring a modern website and CMS for the TV2 Regions. Content from across the seven regions in the TV2 family now resides centrally in a shared platform. The new solution offers many advantages and opportunities, one of them being the enablement of automated distribution of personalised news based on interest.

Says Claus Ladefoged, Head of Digital Development at the TV2 Regions: “We are looking forward to putting all of our content into play in a more personalised way. Apart from the editor’s choice, the individual newsletter subscriber has the option to receive content related to, for example, a specific city or within particular topics, such as sports or politics. This way, we accommodate the variance in news criteria from person to person.”

With the solution, the TV2 Regions have made a future-proof value-creating digital investment that caters to journalists in terms of user-friendliness and lays the groundwork for a superior customer experience. With an automated and personalised news distribution, users will engage more with the content, thereby increasing the value of each content piece – and of the TV2 Regions to its newsletter subscribers.

Says Emre Gürsoy, CEO of Agillic: “Dwarf has created a highly user-centric solution to the TV2 Regions, and it is a textbook example of what is possible when you combine strategy and business development with creativity and tech. At Agillic, we are happy to contribute, and look forward to supporting the TV2 Regions in delivering personalised news that will engage the users and contribute to differentiating the TV2 Regions’ brand even more.”

Says Thomas B. Schmidt, Client Director at Dwarf: “Agillic’s long-standing experience with advanced data models as a method of creating personalised communication is a significant value-add to the solution we have built – and I am certain that the TV2 Regions and the news consumers will benefit from and appreciate the personalised news flows.”

For further information, please contact 
Emre Gürsoy, CEO, Agillic A/S
+45 3078 4200
[email protected] 

About the TV2 Regions
The TV2 Regions consist of seven regional TV stations and have more than 880.00 viewers daily. The regions are independent and self-governing institutions and have editorial and economic independence from TV2/Danmark. Apart from producing news stories for the regional programmes and social media channels, they supply content to, for example, TV2 Nyhederne and TV2 News.

About Dwarf
Dwarf unites design and technology to create exceptional customer experiences. Established 20 years ago, today the company has 50 employees and has delivered numerous innovative digital projects encompassing the entire customer journey.

About Agillic A/S
Agillic is a Nordic software company enabling marketers to maximise the use of data and translate it into relevant and personalised communication establishing strong relations between people and brands. Our customer marketing platform uses AI to enhance the business value of customer communication. By combining data-driven customer insights with the ability to execute personalised communication, we provide our clients with a head start in the battle of winning markets and customers. 

Besides the company headquarter in Copenhagen, Agillic has sales offices in London (UK), Stockholm (Sweden), as well as a development unit in Kyiv (Ukraine). For further information, please visit www.agillic.com 

Agillic A/S Nasdaq First North Growth Market Copenhagen: AGILC

Madsnedøgade 22, 2100 Copenhagen Ø – Denmark

                                                                                                            

 

Attachments