Charles River Laboratories Prices $1 Billion of Senior Notes

Rhea-AI Summary

Charles River Laboratories (NYSE: CRL) announced a private offering of senior notes totaling $1 billion: $500 million in 3.750% senior notes due 2029 and $500 million in 4.000% senior notes due 2031. The offering, priced at 100% of principal, is set to settle on March 23, 2021. Proceeds will be used to redeem 5.5% senior notes due 2026 and fund part of the purchase price for its acquisition of Cognate BioServices, Inc. The notes will not be registered under the Securities Act, limiting their sale to qualified institutional buyers.

Positive

• Successful pricing of $1 billion in senior notes enhances liquidity.
• Funds will be utilized to redeem higher interest-bearing notes (5.5% due 2026), reducing future interest expenses.
• Part of the proceeds will be allocated towards acquiring Cognate BioServices, enhancing Charles River's service offerings.

Negative

• The issuance of new notes increases the company's overall debt burden.
• Dependence on the market's reception of the offering could introduce volatility.

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) announced that on March 8, 2021 it priced its private offering (the “offering”) of $500 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.750% senior notes due 2029 (the “2029 notes”) and $500 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.000% senior notes due 2031 (the “2031 notes” and, together with the 2029 notes, the “notes”). The 2029 notes will be issued at a price of 100.0% of their principal amount and the 2031 notes will be issued at a price of 100.0% of their principal amount. Interest on the notes will be payable semi-annually beginning on September 15, 2021. The offering is expected to settle on March 23, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

Charles River intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to redeem its 5.5% senior notes due 2026 (the “2026 notes”), to fund, along with borrowings under its senior credit facilities, a portion of the purchase price for its proposed acquisition of Cognate BioServices, Inc., and to pay fees and expenses in connection with the offering, the redemption of the 2026 notes and the amendment of its senior credit facilities.

The notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or under the securities laws of any other jurisdiction. Unless they are registered, the notes may be offered only in transactions that are exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The notes were offered only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to non-U.S. persons outside the United States under Regulation S of the Securities Act.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the notes, nor shall there be any sale of the notes in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “will,” “may,” “estimate,” “plan,” “outlook,” and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Forward-looking statements include statements in this news release regarding the potential securities offering and our expectations regarding the redemption of 5.5% senior notes due 2016 or the payment of a portion of the purchase price for the proposed acquisition of Cognate BioServices, Inc. with the proceeds of the notes offering. Forward-looking statements are based on Charles River’s current expectations and beliefs, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by the forward-looking statements. A further description of these risks, uncertainties, and other matters can be found in the Risk Factors detailed in Charles River's Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed on February 17, 2021, as well as other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results and events may differ materially from results and events currently expected by Charles River, and Charles River assumes no obligation and expressly disclaims any duty to update information contained in this news release except as required by law.

About Charles River

Charles River provides essential products and services to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies and leading academic institutions around the globe accelerate their research and drug development efforts. Our dedicated employees are focused on providing clients with exactly what they need to improve and expedite the discovery, early-stage development and safe manufacture of new therapies for the patients who need them.

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FAQ

What is the purpose of Charles River Laboratories' $1 billion senior notes offering?

The proceeds will be used to redeem higher-interest notes and fund part of the acquisition of Cognate BioServices.

When is the settlement date for Charles River's senior notes offering?

The offering is expected to settle on March 23, 2021.

What are the interest rates on the new senior notes issued by Charles River?

The new notes have interest rates of 3.750% due in 2029 and 4.000% due in 2031.

Who can purchase the senior notes from Charles River Laboratories?

The notes are offered only to qualified institutional buyers and non-U.S. persons.

What risks are associated with the forward-looking statements in the press release?

Actual results may differ due to various risks and uncertainties, as outlined in Charles River's filings with the SEC.