Leading Proxy Advisor, ISS, Recommends Shareholders Vote “FOR” Danaher Corporation’s Proposed Acquisition of Abcam
- ISS acknowledges the thorough sales process and recommends voting 'FOR' the acquisition
- The proposed transaction offers a premium and certainty of value to Abcam shareholders
- No other parties have come forward with a superior proposal, indicating this is the highest offer shareholders can expect
- None.
ISS Acknowledges the Thorough Process Undertaken by the Abcam Board in Reaching an Agreement that Provides a Premium and Certainty of Value to Abcam Shareholders
Alan Hirzel, Chief Executive Officer of Abcam, said: “We are pleased that ISS supports our board’s unanimous recommendation that shareholders vote “FOR” the proposed sale to Danaher. We are confident this transaction is in the best interests of Abcam and its shareholders, and will deliver an excellent outcome for Abcam’s employees and customers. We strongly urge all Abcam shareholders to follow the recommendation of our board and ISS.”
In its report dated October 16, 2023, ISS noted:
- “In light of the thorough sales process, the premium and certainty of value inherent in the [Danaher] all-cash offer, and the reasonable valuation, the proposed transaction appears to be a superior alternative to the downside risk and uncertainty inherent in Milner’s underdeveloped plan to create value through a board refresh. As such, support for the proposed transaction is warranted.”
- “Given the public nature of the campaign, broad outreach during the sales process, and the relatively small termination fee, the fact that no other parties have come forward with a superior proposal is a strong indication that this is the highest offer shareholders can expect.”
- “While shareholders are only voting at this time on the proposed transaction, the uncertainty in Milner’s plan due to lack of details regarding his proposed nominees or his potential go-forward plan if he were to take over as CEO stands in stark contrast to the certainty provided by the proposed cash offer from DHR.”
The Board of Directors and management of Abcam recommend shareholders vote “FOR” Danaher’s proposed acquisition of Abcam.
Other materials related to the upcoming Abcam shareholder vote, including Abcam’s investor presentation are available at https://corporate.abcam.com/investors/danaher-abcam/.
How to vote and meeting details
Notices of the Court Meeting and the General Meeting convened in connection with the Transaction are set out in the scheme circular published by Abcam on October 5, 2023 (the “Scheme Circular”), a copy of which is available at https://corporate.abcam.com/investors/danaher-abcam. The Court Meeting will start at 2.00 p.m. (
Abcam Shareholders
Abcam shareholders are urged to complete and return the BLUE and YELLOW Forms of Proxy distributed with the Scheme Circular, or to submit proxy appointments electronically by logging on to www.sharevote.co.uk or by CREST, so as to be received by the Company’s registrars, Equiniti Limited, no later than 2.00 p.m. (
Abcam shareholders who have any questions or require any assistance in submitting their proxy appointment, should contact the Company’s registrars, Equiniti, by calling +44 (0) 371 384 2050. Lines are open 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (
Abcam ADS holders
Holders of Abcam American depositary share(s) (‘ADS(s)’), who are not entitled to attend or vote directly at the Court Meeting or General Meeting, are urged to complete and return the BLUE ADS Voting Instruction Cards distributed by Citibank, N.A., as Depositary, in accordance with the instructions printed on them so as to be received by no later than 10.00 a.m. (
Abcam ADS Holders who have any questions or require any assistance in submitting their voting instructions, should contact the Company’s proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali, by calling (800) 662-5200 (toll-free in
Abcam shareholders are advised to ONLY use the BLUE Form of Proxy approved by the High Court of Justice of
Abcam ADS Holders are advised to ONLY use the form of BLUE ADS Voting Instruction Card prepared by the Depositary and approved by the Company in connection with the Court Meeting and General Meeting (whether by completing the form themselves or by following the instructions provided by their broker, bank or other nominee or intermediary in connection therewith) so as to ensure that their voting instructions are counted.
PROXY APPOINTMENTS OR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS SUBMITTED BY ANY OTHER MEANS MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED.
About Abcam plc
As an innovator in reagents and tools, Abcam’s purpose is to serve life science researchers globally to achieve their mission faster. Providing the research and clinical communities with tools and scientific support, the Company offers highly validated antibodies, assays and other research tools to address important targets in critical biological pathways.
Already a pioneer in data sharing and ecommerce in the life sciences, Abcam’s ambition is to be the most influential company in life sciences by helping advance global understanding of biology and causes of disease, which, in turn, will drive new treatments and improved health.
Abcam’s worldwide customer base of approximately 750,000 life science researchers uses Abcam’s antibodies, reagents, biomarkers and assays. By actively listening to and collaborating with these researchers, the Company continuously advances its portfolio to address their needs. A transparent program of customer reviews and datasheets, combined with industry-leading validation initiatives, gives researchers increased confidence in their results.
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in
For more information, please visit www.abcam.com or www.abcamplc.com.
Important Notices
Abcam is not a company subject to regulation under the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the ‘U.K. Takeover Code’), therefore no dealing disclosures are required to be made under Rule 8 of the
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “seek,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “contemplate,” “possible” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. They are not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future performance. Any express or implied statements contained in this announcement that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the implementation and benefits of the proposed sale to Danaher. These forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, without limitation: Danaher’s and Abcam’s ability to complete the Transaction on the proposed terms or on the anticipated timeline, or at all, including risks and uncertainties related to securing the necessary regulatory approvals and Abcam shareholder approval, the sanction of the High Court of Justice of
The forward-looking statements made in this announcement are made only as of the date hereof or as of the dates indicated in the forward-looking statements and reflect the views stated therein with respect to future events as at such dates, even if they are subsequently made available by Abcam on its website or otherwise. Abcam does not undertake any obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information, future events, changes in its expectations or other circumstances that exist after the date as of which the forward-looking statements were made other than to the extent required by applicable law.
Important Additional Information and Where to Find It
Abcam has furnished the same to the SEC under cover of a Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K and mailed or otherwise provided to its shareholders the Scheme Circular containing information on the Scheme vote regarding the Transaction. This announcement is not a substitute for the Scheme Circular or any other document that may be filed or furnished by Abcam with the SEC. Investors and security holders are urged to carefully read the entire Scheme Circular (which includes an explanatory statement in respect of the Scheme in accordance with the requirements of the
Investors and shareholders will be able to obtain free copies of the Scheme Circular and other documents filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Company on its Investors website (https://corporate.abcam.com/investors/danaher-abcam) or by writing to the Company, at 152 Grove Street, Building 1100
Neither this announcement nor any copy of it may be taken or transmitted directly or indirectly into or from any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the relevant laws or regulations of such jurisdiction. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of such laws or regulations. Persons in possession of this announcement or other information referred to herein should inform themselves about, and observe, any restrictions in such laws or regulations.
This announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying with the applicable law and regulation of the
No Offer or Solicitation
This announcement is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law.
The Transaction will be implemented solely pursuant to the Scheme, subject to the terms and conditions of the definitive transaction agreement, which contains the terms and conditions of the Transaction.
Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc (“Morgan Stanley”) which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated in the
Lazard & Co., Limited , which is authorised and regulated in the
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Abcam plc
Tommy Thomas, CPA
Vice President, Investor Relations
+1 617-577-4205
152 Grove Street, Building 1100
Media enquiries
FTI Consulting
+44 (0)20-3727-1000
Abcam@fticonsulting.com
Source: Abcam plc
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