Avoro Capital Believes Proposed Acquisition of Acceleron Pharma by Merck Undervalues Acceleron Pharma

Rhea-AI Summary

Avoro Capital, a significant stakeholder in Acceleron Pharma (XLRN), has expressed concerns over the proposed acquisition by Merck (MRK) at $180 per share. This price represents a mere 38% premium, significantly lower than the average 89% for similar transactions since 2020. Avoro argues that the deal undervalues Acceleron, especially with promising data for its sotatercept candidate, currently in phase 3 trials and designated as a Breakthrough Therapy by the FDA. Avoro calls for a reassessment of the merger valuation due to the company's growing potential.

Positive

• Avoro believes in Acceleron's potential and the management's effectiveness in creating shareholder value.
• Sotatercept is undergoing phase 3 trials and has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA.
• Acceleron's pipeline is expected to gain more value with forthcoming clinical trial data.

Negative

• The proposed acquisition price of $180 per share undervalues Acceleron.
• The 38% premium ranks significantly below the average of 89% for comparable biopharma transactions since 2020.
• Avoro perceives urgency to sell at low valuation as unwarranted given the company's future growth potential.

Proposed 38% Premium Ranks Much Lower Than Average Premium of Approximately 89% for Comparable Biopharma Transactions since 2020

Believes Acceleron Has Significant Momentum Given Recent Positive Data for Sotatercept Drug Candidate

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Avoro Capital, a long-term and collaborative investor in life sciences and biotechnology companies, beneficially owns approximately 7% of Acceleron Pharma Inc. (Nasdaq: XLRN) (“Acceleron”, “XLRN” or the “Company”) together with certain of its affiliates and managed funds (“Avoro,” “we” or "us"), making it one of the Company's most significant shareholders. Avoro today issued the following statement:

Despite the fact that Avoro believes that Acceleron’s management team has done an excellent job at creating value for shareholders and that the Company has great potential, we do not view the proposed sale of Acceleron to Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) ("Merck") for $180 per share (the "Merger") as being in the best interests of all Acceleron shareholders.

Avoro believes that, first and foremost, the Merger consideration drastically undervalues XLRN. At present, treatment options for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remain limited to vasodilator therapies that do not address the underlying pathophysiology of the disease. Sotatercept, Acceleron’s novel ligand trap designed to rebalance BMPR2 signaling, is currently being investigated in phase 3 clinical trials. Recent data suggests that sotatercept will be the first disease-modifying agent available to patients suffering from PAH, which has led to the granting of Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the FDA and PRIME Designation by the EMA.

While we believe Merck is a tremendous company and ultimately could be a good partner to maximize the value of sotatercept and the rest of Acceleron’s pipeline for both patients and shareholders, we do not believe a transaction makes sense right now at the current valuation proposed by Merck.

In particular, this transaction premium of approximately 38% would rank at the very bottom of the 19 comparable transactions in the biopharmaceuticals sector since the beginning of 2020, during which premiums have averaged approximately 89%.¹

Based on our initial conversations with other market participants, it seems that the justification for the transaction and the price has been that this was the highest premium available. That answer simply raises an even more pertinent question: why sell now at such a price?

We believe there should be no urgency to sell at a low price now since the value of the Company will only increase as additional clinical trial data is released. Based on our own analysis and that of other prominent scientific observers, we have full confidence that Acceleron’s pipeline will continue to perform well and only further demonstrate the value of the Company.

While we do not typically comment publicly, we feel incredibly strongly that this transaction if allowed to proceed would do a disservice to XLRN shareholders.

We look forward to engaging constructively with Acceleron management, as well as our fellow investors, in order to hear other perspectives and to further articulate our rationale in the hope that we can be part of identifying a better path forward.

About Avoro Capital L.P.

Avoro Capital L.P., is the parent of Avoro Capital Advisors LLC (“Avoro Capital Advisors”) and Avoro Ventures LLC (“Avoro Ventures”). Avoro Capital Advisors is an SEC-registered investment manager located in New York City, investing in public and private equity companies focused primarily on life sciences and biotechnology. Managing Partner, Behzad Aghazadeh PhD, has over 25 years of experience spent in scientific research, healthcare consulting, institutional investment and executive leadership within the healthcare sector, and is supported by a team of seasoned professionals with advanced medical and scientific backgrounds, and extensive investment experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Important Information

The tender offer described in this communication has not yet commenced. This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any shares of the common stock of Acceleron or any other securities, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials described herein. At the time the planned tender offer is commenced, Avoro anticipates that a tender offer statement on Schedule (TO), including an offer to purchase, a letter of transmittal and related documents, will be filed by Merck and Astros Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merck, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 will be filed by Acceleron with the SEC. Once filed, investors will be able to obtain a free copy of these materials and other documents filed by such parties with the SEC at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Investors and security holders are advised to read these documents, any amendments thereto as well as any other documents relating to the tender offer and Merger, when they become available, as they contain important information.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and may include projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “plans”, “will be” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the planned completion of the transactions contemplated by the Merger. Although Avoro believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Avoro, Merck or Acceleron, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties are enumerated in Acceleron's public filings and recent public communications regarding the Merger by Acceleron and Merck. In addition, the foregoing considerations and any other publicly stated risks and uncertainties should be read in conjunction with the risks and cautionary statements discussed or identified in the public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) made by Merck & Co., Inc. and Acceleron, including those listed under “Risk Factors” in Merck & Co., Inc.’s annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Acceleron’s annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and, other than as required by applicable law, Avoro does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements.

¹ Criteria was US based-public, BioPharma M&A deals >$1B (excluding SPACs) – Source: Bloomberg

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210930005954/en/

Sloane & Company

Dan Zacchei / Joe Germani

dzacchei@sloanepr.com / jgermani@sloanepr.com

Source: Avoro Capital L.P.

FAQ

What is Avoro Capital's stance on the Merck acquisition of Acceleron Pharma?

Avoro Capital believes the proposed acquisition price of $180 per share significantly undervalues Acceleron and is not in the best interest of shareholders.

How does the acquisition premium for Acceleron compare to industry standards?

The proposed 38% premium is well below the average of 89% for similar biopharma transactions since 2020.

What is the potential of Acceleron's drug candidate sotatercept?

Sotatercept is in phase 3 trials and has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the FDA, indicating significant potential in treating pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Why does Avoro Capital oppose the acquisition at this time?

Avoro Capital believes that Acceleron's value will increase as more clinical trial data is released and argues against selling at a low valuation now.

What is the significance of Avoro Capital's ownership in Acceleron?

Avoro Capital holds approximately 7% of Acceleron Pharma, making it one of the company's significant shareholders.