Fusion Pharmaceuticals Shareholders Approve Acquisition by AstraZeneca

Rhea-AI Summary

Fusion Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: FUSN), a clinical-stage oncology company, announced that its shareholders approved the acquisition by AstraZeneca. The special meeting held on May 29, 2024, saw 80.83% of the 84,965,608 outstanding shares voting, with 99.92% in favor of the arrangement. The acquisition plan is subject to court approval and other customary conditions. If met, the transaction is expected to conclude in Q2 2024.

Positive

• Shareholders voted overwhelmingly (99.92%) in favor of the acquisition by AstraZeneca.
• 80.83% of the total outstanding shares participated in the vote, indicating strong shareholder engagement.
• The transaction signifies potential growth and development under AstraZeneca's umbrella.

Negative

• The acquisition is subject to court approval and other closing conditions, introducing a risk of delay.
• There might be potential concerns about the integration process and the future role of Fusion Pharmaceuticals' current projects.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The acquisition of Fusion Pharmaceuticals by AstraZeneca is significant for investors. AstraZeneca aims to enhance its oncology portfolio by adding Fusion's innovative radioconjugates (RCs). This acquisition could lead to greater market share and future revenue growth for AstraZeneca, assuming the success of Fusion's experimental drugs.

From a financial perspective, acquiring a clinical-stage company involves risks due to uncertainties surrounding clinical trials and FDA approvals. However, the overwhelming shareholder support (99.92% approval) indicates confidence in Fusion's potential and the strategic fit with AstraZeneca.

$84,965,608 shares were voted, representing nearly 80.83% of the outstanding shares, reflecting high investor engagement. The completion of this transaction is still subject to court approval and customary conditions, which are standard in M&A processes.

In the short term, investors should monitor these approvals as they can impact stock volatility. In the long term, the successful integration and potential FDA approvals for Fusion's RCs could drive significant value for AstraZeneca shareholders.

Oncology Doctor

The merger between Fusion Pharmaceuticals and AstraZeneca is quite promising from a medical perspective. Fusion's focus on radioconjugates (RCs) represents a cutting-edge approach in oncology. RCs are designed to deliver targeted radiation therapy directly to cancer cells, potentially improving efficacy while reducing side effects compared to traditional treatments.

AstraZeneca's resources and expertise could accelerate the development and clinical trials of these RCs, potentially bringing new, effective cancer treatments to market faster. The success of these treatments could significantly improve patient outcomes, offering a more precise and less invasive option in cancer therapy.

However, it is important to note that these therapies are still in the clinical-stage. There remains a critical need for successful clinical trials and subsequent FDA approvals before these treatments can reach the market.

HAMILTON, ON and BOSTON, May 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: FUSN), a clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing next-generation radioconjugates (RCs) as precision medicines, today announced that at a special meeting of its shareholders (the "Shareholders"), held virtually earlier today, the Shareholders voted in favour of the resolution to approve the previously announced plan of arrangement with a wholly-owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca under the Canada Business Corporations Act pursuant to which AstraZeneca will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Fusion (the "Arrangement").

As of the close of business on April 16, 2024, the record date of the special meeting, there were approximately 84,965,608 shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. A total of 68,678,602 shares were voted at the special meeting representing approximately 80.83% of the issued and outstanding shares as of the record date.

The Arrangement was approved, receiving the required affirmative vote of (i) 99.92% of the votes cast by the Shareholders, voting as a single class, present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the special meeting and (ii) 99.92% of the votes cast by the Shareholders, present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the special meeting, after excluding the votes of those Shareholders whose votes are required to be excluded under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions.

The formal report on voting results with respect to all matters voted upon at the meeting will be filed under Fusion's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.

The arrangement is subject to court approval, as well as other customary closing conditions. Subject to the satisfaction of such conditions, the transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2024.

About Fusion
Fusion Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing next-generation RCs. Fusion connects alpha particle emitting isotopes to various targeting molecules in order to selectively deliver the alpha emitting payloads to tumors. Fusion's clinical-stage development portfolio includes lead program, FPI-2265, targeting PSMA for mCRPC and novel RCs targeting solid tumors. Fusion has a fully operational Good Manufacturing Practice compliant state-of-the-art radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facility to meet supply demand for Fusion's growing pipeline of radioconjugates.

Forward Looking Information

To the extent any statements made in this communication contain information that is not historical, these statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and forward-looking information under Canadian securities law (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Certain statements in this communication may constitute forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of Fusion's management regarding the Arrangement. The use of words such as "may," "will," "could," "should," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "projects," "seeks," "endeavor," "potential," "continue" or the negative of such words or other similar expressions can be used to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this communication contains forward-looking statements and information regarding anticipated timing of closing and the satisfaction or waiver of conditions to closing.

Fusion's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors including but not limited to risks related to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to closing the Arrangement (including the failure to obtain necessary court approval) in the anticipated timeframe or at all, including the possibility that the Arrangement does not close. Please also refer to the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" and "Special Note Regarding Forward-looking Information" in Fusion's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission ("SEC"), each as updated by Fusion's continuous disclosure filings, and the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the proxy statement and management information circular dated April 25, 2024, all of which are available at www.sec.gov and at www.sedarplus.com.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not or the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified in their entirety by its cautionary statement and are made as of the date of this document. Fusion disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.

For further information: Amanda Cray, Senior Director of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, 617-967-0207, cray@fusionpharma.com

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SOURCE Fusion Pharmaceuticals

FAQ

What was the result of the Fusion Pharmaceuticals shareholder vote on the AstraZeneca acquisition?

99.92% of the voting shareholders approved the acquisition.

When did Fusion Pharmaceuticals hold the special meeting for the AstraZeneca acquisition vote?

The special meeting was held on May 29, 2024.

What percentage of Fusion Pharmaceuticals shares were represented in the acquisition vote?

80.83% of the total outstanding shares were represented in the vote.

What are the next steps for the Fusion Pharmaceuticals and AstraZeneca acquisition?

The acquisition is pending court approval and other customary conditions, with completion expected in Q2 2024.