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AbbVie to acquire Apogee Therapeutics (NASDAQ: APGE) in $10.9B cash deal

Filing Impact
(High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Apogee Therapeutics agreed to be acquired by AbbVie in an all-cash deal. AbbVie will buy all outstanding Apogee shares for $135.11 per share, valuing Apogee at about $10.9 billion, with Apogee becoming a wholly owned AbbVie subsidiary.

The merger, executed via AbbVie subsidiaries Andor LLC and Andor Merger Co., is unanimously approved by both boards and expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to Apogee stockholder and regulatory approvals and the absence of legal blocks. The transaction has no financing condition, and AbbVie guarantees its subsidiaries’ obligations.

The merger agreement includes reciprocal termination fees of $381,273,716 in specified circumstances, including failed regulatory approvals or Apogee accepting a superior offer. Key Apogee holders have signed a voting agreement to support the deal. AbbVie highlights Apogee’s immunology pipeline, led by zumilokibart (APG777) for atopic dermatitis and asthma and the APG273 combination program, as strategic drivers of the acquisition.

Positive

  • All-cash premium exit: AbbVie agreed to acquire Apogee for $135.11 per share in cash, valuing the company at approximately $10.9 billion, providing shareholders with a defined liquidity event, subject to stockholder and regulatory approvals.

Negative

  • None.

Insights

All-cash $10.9 billion AbbVie acquisition offers a strategic exit for Apogee shareholders, contingent on approvals.

AbbVie is acquiring Apogee Therapeutics for $135.11 per share in cash, implying about $10.9 billion equity value. Structurally, Apogee will merge into an AbbVie subsidiary and become wholly owned, with no financing condition and AbbVie guaranteeing payment obligations.

The deal rationale centers on Apogee’s immunology pipeline, including zumilokibart (APG777) in atopic dermatitis and asthma and the APG273 combination program. AbbVie describes potential “mega-blockbuster” peak sales and expects accretion to adjusted diluted EPS beginning in 2032, underscoring strategic importance within its immunology franchise.

Closing is targeted for Q3 2026, subject to Apogee stockholder approval, antitrust clearances under laws such as the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, and absence of a material adverse effect on Apogee. Reciprocal termination fees of $381,273,716 apply if the deal fails under specified circumstances, including superior proposals or regulatory failure, which anchors deal certainty and potential break costs.

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement Business
The company signed a significant contract such as a merger agreement, credit facility, or major partnership.
Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders Governance
Results of a shareholder vote on proposals at an annual or special meeting.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure Disclosure
Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.
Item 8.01 Other Events Other
Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Per-share acquisition price $135.11 per share Cash consideration for each Apogee common share
Equity value $10.9 billion Approximate total equity value of Apogee in the deal
Termination fee (Apogee to AbbVie) $381,273,716 Payable by Apogee in specified termination events
Termination fee (AbbVie to Apogee) $381,273,716 Payable by AbbVie’s side if deal fails on certain regulatory grounds
Expected closing period Q3 2026 Targeted completion of AbbVie–Apogee merger
EPS accretion timing Beginning in 2032 AbbVie expects accretion to adjusted diluted EPS
Agreement and Plan of Merger regulatory
"entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Andor LLC..."
An Agreement and Plan of Merger is a formal document where two companies agree to combine into one, outlining how the process will happen. It’s like a step-by-step plan for merging, and it matters because it shows both sides have agreed on the details before the official transition takes place.
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 regulatory
"including the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period... under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976"
Superior Proposal financial
"would reasonably be expected to constitute or lead to a Superior Proposal, and that the failure to take such actions would be inconsistent..."
A superior proposal is a competing offer to buy or merge with a company that is materially better than an existing deal, typically offering higher cash, stronger terms, or fewer conditions. It matters to investors because it can raise the expected payout or change deal certainty—like getting a higher bid at an auction, a superior proposal can increase share value or prompt renegotiation of the transaction.
termination fee financial
"the Company will be required to pay a termination fee of $381,273,716 to Parent, which circumstances include..."
A termination fee is a payment required if one party ends a contract before its agreed-upon end date. It acts like a penalty or compensation to the other party for canceling early, similar to a fee you might pay for breaking a lease or canceling a service contract. For investors, it matters because it can influence a company's decisions and financial obligations related to ending agreements prematurely.
Voting Agreement regulatory
"entered into a voting agreement (the “Voting Agreement”) with certain stockholders of the Company..."
A voting agreement is a legally binding pact in which shareholders promise to cast their votes the same way on certain corporate matters, such as electing directors or approving a merger. It matters to investors because it changes who controls company decisions and makes outcomes more predictable—like a group of neighbors agreeing in advance to vote the same way on a community rule, it can strengthen or limit the influence of other shareholders and affect the company’s future direction.
material adverse effect financial
"the absence of any material adverse effect relating to the Company"
A material adverse effect is a significant negative change or event that substantially reduces a company’s business, financial condition, or future prospects — think of it like a sudden major engine failure that makes a car unreliable. Investors care because such an event can lower expected profits, trigger contract clauses (allowing counterparties to renegotiate or walk away), and prompt swift stock-price reassessment based on the higher risk and uncertainty.
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K


CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 18, 2026


Apogee Therapeutics, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware
001-41740
93-4958665
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

         
 
221 Crescent St., Building 17, Suite 102b,
Waltham, MA
 
02453
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (650) 394-5230
 
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:


Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)


Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)


Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))


Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange
on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share
APGE
The Nasdaq Global Market
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
 
Emerging growth company 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐
 


Item 1.01
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger
 
On June 18, 2026, Apogee Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company” or “Apogee”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Andor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Guarantor (“Parent”), Andor Merger Co., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), and solely for the limited purposes set forth therein, AbbVie Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Guarantor” or “AbbVie”). The Merger Agreement provides for, among other things, the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Merger Agreement.
 
At the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”):
 

(i)
each share of voting common stock of the Company, par value $0.00001 per share, and each share of non-voting common stock of the Company, par value $0.00001 per share (each, a “Share”), outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, but excluding each Share (A) owned by the Company or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries, (B) held by Guarantor, Parent, Merger Sub or any other wholly owned subsidiary of Guarantor, and (C) held by a stockholder who has not voted in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement or consented thereto and is entitled to and properly demands appraisal, will be converted automatically into the right to receive $135.11 per Share in cash (the “Merger Consideration”), without interest and subject to any applicable withholding taxes;
 

(ii)
each option to purchase Shares (each, a “Company Option”) outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (whether vested or unvested) having an exercise price per Share that is less than the Merger Consideration will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive cash in an amount equal to the product of: (A) the total number of Shares subject to such Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, multiplied by (B) the excess of (x) the Merger Consideration over (y) the exercise price payable per Share under such Company Option, without interest and subject to any applicable withholding taxes; any Company Option outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (whether vested or unvested) having an exercise price per Share that is greater than or equal to the Merger Consideration will be cancelled without any consideration being payable in respect thereof, and have no further force or effect;
 

(iii)
each restricted stock unit award of the Company (each, a “Company RSU”) outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will fully vest, be cancelled and convert into the right to receive a lump sum cash payment, without interest and subject to any applicable withholding taxes, equal to the product of (A) the Merger Consideration, multiplied by (B) the number of Shares subject to such Company RSU;
 

(iv)
each outstanding restricted stock award of the Company (the “Company Restricted Stock”) outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will fully vest and be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration for each such share of Company Restricted Stock; and
 

(v)
each warrant exercisable for Shares (each, a “Company Warrant”) outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will, in accordance with its terms, become exercisable by the holder thereof solely for the same Merger Consideration that such holder would have been entitled to receive if such holder had been, immediately prior to the Effective Time, the holder of the number of Shares then issuable upon exercise in full of such Company Warrant without regard to any limitations on exercise contained in such Company Warrant.
 
The transaction is not subject to any financing conditions. In addition, Guarantor has provided a guarantee, pursuant to which Guarantor has agreed to guarantee Parent’s and Merger Sub’s obligations under the Merger Agreement.


The consummation of the Merger is subject to certain customary conditions, including: (i) the receipt of approval of the Merger and adoption of the Merger Agreement by the Company’s stockholders; (ii) the receipt of required regulatory approvals or clearances, if any, with respect to certain antitrust laws (including the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period (and any extension thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976); (iii) the absence of any law or order prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the Merger; (iv) in the case of Parent and Merger Sub, the absence of any material adverse effect relating to the Company; and (v) the accuracy of the representations and warranties contained in the Merger Agreement (subject to certain materiality and material adverse effect qualifications) and compliance with the covenants and agreements in the Merger Agreement in all material respects by the parties to the Merger Agreement.
 
The Company has made customary representations, warranties and covenants in the Merger Agreement, including certain covenants regarding the operation of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time. The Company will also be subject to customary “no-shop” restrictions, subject to a “fiduciary out” provision that allows the Company, under certain specified circumstances, to provide information to, and participate in discussions and engage in negotiations with, third parties with respect to an alternative acquisition proposal, if the board of directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal and financial advisors, that such alternative acquisition proposal constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute or lead to a Superior Proposal, and that the failure to take such actions would be inconsistent with the Company Board’s fiduciary duties under applicable law.
 
The Merger Agreement includes a remedy of specific performance for the parties thereto. The Merger Agreement also contains certain termination rights for each of the Company and Parent, including the right of either the Company or Parent to terminate the Merger Agreement if the Merger is not consummated by December 18, 2026 (subject to two extensions for up to an additional six months each if all of the conditions to the Closing, other than the conditions related to the failure to obtain regulatory approvals, have been satisfied). The Merger Agreement also provides that upon the termination of the Merger Agreement under certain specified circumstances, the Company will be required to pay a termination fee of $381,273,716 to Parent, which circumstances include (i) a termination by the Company to accept and enter into a definitive agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal, (ii) a termination by Parent due to a Change in Recommendation and (iii) if the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain specified circumstances and prior to such termination a proposal (or intention to make a proposal) to acquire more than 50% of the Company’s stock or assets is publicly made or announced (and not subsequently withdrawn) and the Company enters into a definitive agreement for, or consummates, a transaction involving the acquisition of more than 50% of its stock or assets within twelve months of such termination. The Merger Agreement also provides that upon termination of the Merger Agreement under certain specified circumstances related to the failure to obtain regulatory approvals, Parent will be required to pay a termination fee of $381,273,716 to the Company.
 
The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete, and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the full text of the Merger Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The Merger Agreement has been filed to provide information to investors regarding its terms, and neither the Merger Agreement nor this summary should be relied upon as disclosures about the Company, Parent, Guarantor or Merger Sub. The Merger Agreement is not intended to provide any other factual information about the Company, Guarantor, Parent or Merger Sub, their respective businesses, or the actual conduct of their respective businesses during the period prior to the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. None of the Company’s stockholders or any other third parties should rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or conditions of the Company, Parent, Guarantor, Merger Sub or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. The representations and warranties by each of the Company, Parent, Guarantor, and Merger Sub that are contained in the Merger Agreement are the product of negotiations among such parties and are made by such parties to, and solely for the benefit of, each other as of specified dates. These representations and warranties (i) should not be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; (ii) may be qualified in important part by confidential disclosure schedules delivered by the Company to Parent, Guarantor and Merger Sub in connection with the Merger Agreement; and (iii) may apply contractual standards of “materiality” that are different from “materiality” under applicable securities laws.
 
Item 5.07
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

Immediately prior to the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, holders of the non-voting common stock of the Company executed and delivered to the Company a written consent adopting the entry into the Merger Agreement and consummation of the Merger under the Company’s certificate of incorporation. The consummation of the Merger remains subject to the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting common stock of the Company.



Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure.
 
Press Release
 
On June 22, 2026, the Company and Guarantor issued a joint press release announcing their entry into the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
 
The information contained in this Item 7.01 and the accompanying Exhibit 99.1 are furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section or Sections 11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) made by the Company, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
 
Item 8.01
Other Events.
 
Voting Agreement
 
Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, Parent, Merger Sub and Guarantor entered into a voting agreement (the “Voting Agreement”) with certain stockholders of the Company, whereby such stockholders have agreed, among other things, to vote their Shares in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and approval of the Merger. The Voting Agreement will terminate upon termination of the Merger Agreement and certain other specified events.
 
 The foregoing description of the Voting Agreement does not purport to be complete, and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the full text of the Voting Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d)          Exhibits

Exhibit No.
 
Description
2.1*
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 18, 2026, by and among Apogee Therapeutics, Inc., Andor LLC, Andor Merger Co., and AbbVie Inc., solely for the limited purposes set forth therein.
99.1
 
Joint Press Release, dated June 22, 2026, issued by Apogee Therapeutics, Inc. and AbbVie Inc.
99.2
 
Voting Agreement, dated as of June 18, 2026, by and among AbbVie Inc., Andor LLC, Andor Merger Co., Fairmount Healthcare Fund II L.P., Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners III, L.P., VHCP Co-Investment Holdings III, LLC and Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners EG, L.P.
104
 
Cover page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

  *
Certain exhibits and schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally to the SEC a copy of any omitted exhibits or schedules upon request.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding market and industry prospects and future results of operations or financial position made in this Current Report on Form 8-K are forward-looking. In many cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology, such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology. Statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K that are forward-looking may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the benefits of the proposed acquisition of Apogee Therapeutics, Inc. (“Apogee”) by AbbVie Inc. (“AbbVie”) and the associated integration plans, anticipated future operating performance and results of Apogee, the expected accretion to AbbVie’s adjusted diluted earnings per share beginning in 2032, the expected timing of the closing of the proposed acquisition and other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement governing the proposed acquisition (the “Merger Agreement”), and the potential of zumilokibart (APG777) and other Apogee’s pipeline assets.


There may also be other statements of expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally outside Apogee’s control, that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the right of Apogee or AbbVie or both of them to terminate the Merger Agreement, including circumstances requiring a party to pay the other party a termination fee pursuant to the Merger Agreement; the failure to obtain applicable regulatory or Apogee stockholder approval in a timely manner or otherwise; the risk that the proposed acquisition may not close in the anticipated timeframe or at all due to one or more of the other closing conditions to the transaction not being satisfied or waived; the possibility of competing acquisition proposals for Apogee; the risk that there may be unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed acquisition; risks related to the ability of Apogee and AbbVie to successfully integrate the businesses and the possibility that such integration may be more difficult, time consuming or costly than expected; risks that the proposed transaction disrupts Apogee’s or AbbVie’s current plans and operations; the risk that certain restrictions during the pendency of the proposed transaction may impact Apogee’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; risks related to disruption of each company’s management’s time and attention from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction; the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of Apogee’s and/or AbbVie’s common stock, credit ratings or operating results; the risk that the proposed transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of Apogee and AbbVie to retain and hire key personnel, to retain customers and to maintain relationships with each of their respective business partners, suppliers and customers and on their respective operating results and businesses generally; the risk of litigation that could be instituted against the parties to the Merger Agreement or their respective directors, managers or officers and/or regulatory actions related to the proposed acquisition, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; the risk that zumilokibart (APG777) or APG273 and other Apogee’s pipeline assets may not demonstrate the anticipated success, safety, or efficacy in ongoing or future clinical trials; the risk that positive Phase 2 and Phase 1b interim results for zumilokibart (APG777) may not be predictive of results in later-stage or larger clinical trials; challenges to intellectual property; adverse litigation or government action; competition from other products; difficulties inherent in the research and development process; risks related to unpredictable and severe or catastrophic events, including but not limited to acts of terrorism, war or hostilities, cyber attacks, or the impact of any pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of an infectious disease in the United States or worldwide on Apogee’s or AbbVie’s business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as the response thereto by each company’s management; and other business effects, including the effects of industry, market, economic, political or regulatory conditions.

Also, AbbVie’s and Apogee’s actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements for a number of additional reasons as described in AbbVie’s and Apogee’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including those set forth in the Risk Factors section and under any “Forward-Looking Statements” or similar heading in AbbVie’s and Apogee’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 20, 2026 and March 2, 2026, respectively, and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

AbbVie and Apogee have based these forward-looking statements on their current expectations and projections about future events. Although the parties believe that the assumptions on which the forward-looking statements contained herein are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. As a result, the forward-looking statements based upon those assumptions also could be incorrect. Except to the extent required by law, AbbVie and Apogee undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


Additional Information and Where to Find It

This Current Report on Form 8-K is being made in respect of the proposed transaction involving Apogee and AbbVie. A meeting of the stockholders of Apogee will be announced as promptly as practicable to seek Apogee stockholder approval in connection with the proposed transaction. Apogee intends to file relevant materials with the SEC, including preliminary and definitive proxy statements relating to the proposed transaction. The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to Apogee’s stockholders. This communication is not a substitute for the proxy statement or any other document that may be filed by Apogee with the SEC.

BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION, APOGEE STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE PRELIMINARY AND DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENTS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.

Any vote in respect of resolutions to be proposed at Apogee’s stockholder meeting to approve the proposed transaction or other responses in relation to the proposed transaction should be made only on the basis of the information contained in Apogee’s proxy statement. You will be able to obtain a free copy of the proxy statement and other related documents (when available) filed by Apogee with the SEC at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or by accessing the Investors section of Apogee’s website at https://investors.apogeetherapeutics.com.

No Offer or Solicitation

This Current Report on Form 8-K is for informational purposes only and is not intended to, and does not constitute or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer or invitation to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the proposed transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law.

Participants in the Solicitation
 
Apogee, AbbVie and their respective directors and executive officers and certain of their employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Apogee’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding Apogee’s directors and executive officers is set forth under the captions “Proposal 1: Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance,” “Executive Officers,” “Executive Compensation” and “Certain Information About Our Common Stock” in the definitive proxy statement for Apogee’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 24, 2026, and in Apogee’s Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on April 24, 2026, and June 12, 2026. Information regarding AbbVie’s directors and executive officers is set forth under the captions “Information Concerning Director Nominees,” “The Board of Directors and its Committees,” “Director Compensation,” “Securities Ownership” and “Executive Compensation” in the definitive proxy statement for AbbVie’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on March 23, 2026, and in AbbVie’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 12, 2026. To the extent holdings of Apogee’s securities and AbbVie’s securities by their respective directors or executive officers have changed since the amounts set forth in such filings, such changes have been or will be reflected on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 or Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. These documents may be obtained free of charge from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by accessing the Investors section of Apogee’s website at https://investors.apogeetherapeutics.com and the Investors section of AbbVie’s website at https://investors.abbvie.com. Additional information regarding the interests of participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction will be included in the proxy statement that Apogee expects to file in connection with the proposed transaction and other relevant materials Apogee may file with the SEC.


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
Apogee Therapeutics, Inc.
   
Date: June 22, 2026
By:
/s/Michael Henderson, M.D.
   
Michael Henderson, M.D.
   
Chief Executive Officer




Exhibit 99.1


AbbVie to Acquire Apogee Therapeutics, Deepening Immunology Portfolio

Proposed acquisition adds a diverse pipeline of assets focused on elevating the standard of care for patients with dermatologic, respiratory and other related inflammatory and immunological diseases
Apogee’s lead asset, zumilokibart (APG777), is a late-stage, half-life extended monoclonal antibody targeting IL-13, in development for patients with atopic dermatitis
Apogee’s pipeline also includes combinations of its novel antibodies; APG273, a potential best-in-category long-acting combination targeting IL-13 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), is being developed in asthma
Apogee shareholders to receive $135.11 per share in cash, for a total equity value of approximately $10.9 billion
AbbVie to hold investor conference call today, June 22, at 8:00 a.m. CT

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. and SAN FRANCISCO and BOSTON, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) and Apogee Therapeutics (NASDAQ: APGE) (“Apogee”) today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which AbbVie will acquire Apogee and its diverse pipeline of multiple clinical-stage candidates in development across inflammatory and immunological diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma. The acquisition complements AbbVie’s existing immunology portfolio and accelerates AbbVie’s clinical presence in the respiratory space.

Under the terms of the transaction, AbbVie will acquire all outstanding shares of Apogee for $135.11 per share in cash. The transaction values Apogee at a total equity value of approximately $10.9 billion. The boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction. This transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including Apogee shareholder approval and receipt of regulatory approvals.

“For more than two decades, AbbVie has led and shaped the field of immunology bringing the science, scale and expertise needed to address some of the most complex diseases,” said Robert A. Michael, chairman and chief executive officer, AbbVie. “The acquisition of Apogee further builds on our existing leadership, strengthening our ability to deliver innovative medicines to patients who need better options while also creating significant long-term value for shareholders. Apogee’s pipeline adds highly differentiated clinical-stage assets, further expanding our robust immunology portfolio in areas of significant patient need, including atopic dermatitis and asthma. With our deep scientific expertise and proven capabilities, we are uniquely positioned to rapidly advance these programs and continue to transform the standard of care in inflammatory diseases.”


This acquisition holds potential for substantial shareholder value creation with mega-blockbuster peak sales potential across Apogee’s pipeline of assets, including its lead asset, zumilokibart (APG777), a subcutaneous half-life extended monoclonal antibody targeting IL-13, being developed in AD and APG273, a combination of zumilokibart and APG333, an anti-TSLP half-life extended monoclonal antibody, being developed in asthma.

“This transaction reflects the strength of Apogee’s vision, our team’s dedication and the significant progress we’ve made advancing zumilokibart and our differentiated pipeline,” said Michael Henderson, M.D., chief executive officer, Apogee. “Since our founding, we’ve focused on developing transformative therapies for patients with inflammatory diseases while creating value for shareholders. This transaction delivers substantial shareholder value and positions our programs to reach their full potential. We are deeply grateful to the patients, physicians and investigators who helped make this milestone possible. We believe AbbVie can advance zumilokibart and our portfolio while expanding their impact for patients worldwide.”

Zumilokibart targets IL-13, a critical cytokine in type 2 inflammation, and a central driver of inflammatory diseases like AD and asthma. Specifically in AD, a large majority of patients do not achieve simultaneous itch and skin improvement which represents an opportunity for the development of novel treatments that not only provide better skin clearance and itch resolution but also improve convenience with less frequent dosing. In its Phase 2 clinical trial, zumilokibart attained clinically significant results, with approximately two-thirds of patients on treatment achieving significant skin clearance at 16 weeks, along with notable improvements in itch reduction and overall disease control. These findings support its potential best-in-category profile, including strong efficacy and significantly improved dosing, in patients with AD. Longer-term data from the same trial also supports highly convenient maintenance regimens of either quarterly or twice a year dosing. The safety profile of zumilokibart is favorable and consistent with other medicines in its class, and the molecule has the potential to be evaluated in several additional inflammatory indications.


Beyond zumilokibart, Apogee has built a broader pipeline of novel antibodies targeting multiple validated inflammatory pathways. APG273 combines zumilokibart with APG333, an antibody that blocks TSLP, a signaling protein that acts as an early trigger of inflammation in the lungs. Phase 1 data showed that APG333 has a long half-life and was able to suppress relevant type 2 inflammatory markers for up to six months after dosing. The Phase 1 data with APG333 and positive interim results from a phase 1b study of zumilokibart in asthma, supports the potential of the APG273 combination with quarterly or twice-yearly injections in asthma.

Transaction Terms
Under the terms of the definitive agreement, AbbVie will acquire all outstanding Apogee common stock for $135.11 per share in cash. The proposed transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals and approval by Apogee shareholders. Fairmount Funds Management LLC and Venrock Associates have entered into voting agreements in support of the transaction.

The proposed transaction is expected to be accretive to AbbVie’s adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) beginning in 2032.

AbbVie Conference Call Details
AbbVie will host an investor conference call today, June 22, at 8:00 a.m. CT to discuss this transaction. The call will be webcast through AbbVie’s Investor Relations website at investors.abbvie.com. An archived edition of the call will be available after 9:00 a.m. CT. Presentation materials for the investor conference call are available here.

Advisors
AbbVie’s financial advisor is Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is serving as legal advisor.

Apogee’s financial advisors are Jefferies LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal advisor.

About AbbVie in Immunology
AbbVie is relentless in our pursuit to redefine the standard of care for patients living with immune-mediated conditions, with the goal of helping them live a life free from the limitations of their disease. For more than 20 years, AbbVie has led and helped shape the field of immunology through groundbreaking science and trusted medicines. Building on deep expertise across gastroenterology, rheumatology and dermatology, and other areas of high unmet need, we continue to invest in a broad and differentiated pipeline – spanning innovative modalities, novel mechanisms of actions and next-generation approaches designed to conquer the complex biology underlying immune-mediated disease.
 


Today, more than 1 million patients worldwide are treated with AbbVie’s immunology medicines, approved in more than 175 countries across 19 immune-mediated diseases that impact adult and pediatric populations. As we work to strengthen our legacy and drive the next wave of innovation, we remain focused on delivering meaningful progress for patients and expanding access to our medicines. For more information, please visit www.abbvie.com/immunology.

About AbbVie

AbbVie’s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people’s lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, neuroscience and oncology – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

About Apogee Therapeutics

Apogee Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing novel biologics with potential for differentiated efficacy and dosing in the largest I&I markets, including for the treatment of AD, asthma, EoE, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other I&I indications. Apogee’s antibody programs are designed to overcome limitations of existing therapies by targeting well-established mechanisms of action and incorporating advanced antibody engineering to optimize half-life and other properties. Zumilokibart, the company’s most advanced program, is being initially developed for the treatment of AD, which is the largest and one of the least penetrated I&I markets, as well as asthma and EoE. With four validated targets in its portfolio, Apogee is seeking to achieve best-in-class efficacy and dosing through monotherapies and combinations of its novel antibodies. Based on a broad pipeline and depth of expertise, the company believes it can deliver value and meaningful benefit to patients underserved by today’s standard of care. For more information, please visit https://apogeetherapeutics.com.


Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding market and industry prospects and future results of operations or financial position made in this communication are forward-looking. In many cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology, such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology. Statements in this communication that are forward-looking may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the benefits of the proposed acquisition of Apogee Therapeutics, Inc. (“Apogee”) by AbbVie Inc. (“AbbVie”) and the associated integration plans, anticipated future operating performance and results of Apogee, the expected accretion to AbbVie’s adjusted diluted earnings per share beginning in 2032, the expected timing of the closing of the proposed acquisition and other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement governing the proposed acquisition (the “Merger Agreement”), and the potential of zumilokibart (APG777) and other Apogee’s pipeline assets.

There may also be other statements of expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally outside Apogee’s control, that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the right of Apogee or AbbVie or both of them to terminate the Merger Agreement, including circumstances requiring a party to pay the other party a termination fee pursuant to the Merger Agreement; the failure to obtain applicable regulatory or Apogee stockholder approval in a timely manner or otherwise; the risk that the proposed acquisition may not close in the anticipated timeframe or at all due to one or more of the other closing conditions to the transaction not being satisfied or waived; the possibility of competing acquisition proposals for Apogee; the risk that there may be unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed acquisition; risks related to the ability of Apogee and AbbVie to successfully integrate the businesses and the possibility that such integration may be more difficult, time consuming or costly than expected; risks that the proposed transaction disrupts Apogee’s or AbbVie’s current plans and operations; the risk that certain restrictions during the pendency of the proposed transaction may impact Apogee’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; risks related to disruption of each company’s management’s time and attention from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction; the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of Apogee’s and/or AbbVie’s common stock, credit ratings or operating results; the risk that the proposed transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of Apogee and AbbVie to retain and hire key personnel, to retain customers and to maintain relationships with each of their respective business partners, suppliers and customers and on their respective operating results and businesses generally; the risk of litigation that could be instituted against the parties to the Merger Agreement or their respective directors, managers or officers and/or regulatory actions related to the proposed acquisition, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; the risk that zumilokibart (APG777) or APG273 and other Apogee’s pipeline assets may not demonstrate the anticipated success, safety, or efficacy in ongoing or future clinical trials; the risk that positive Phase 2 and Phase 1b interim results for zumilokibart (APG777) may not be predictive of results in later-stage or larger clinical trials; challenges to intellectual property; adverse litigation or government action; competition from other products; difficulties inherent in the research and development process; risks related to unpredictable and severe or catastrophic events, including but not limited to acts of terrorism, war or hostilities, cyber attacks, or the impact of any pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of an infectious disease in the United States or worldwide on Apogee’s or AbbVie’s business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as the response thereto by each company’s management; and other business effects, including the effects of industry, market, economic, political or regulatory conditions.

Also, AbbVie’s and Apogee’s actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements for a number of additional reasons as described in AbbVie’s and Apogee’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including those set forth in the Risk Factors section and under any “Forward-Looking Statements” or similar heading in AbbVie’s and Apogee’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 20, 2026 and March 2, 2026, respectively, and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

AbbVie and Apogee have based these forward-looking statements on their current expectations and projections about future events. Although the parties believe that the assumptions on which the forward-looking statements contained herein are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. As a result, the forward-looking statements based upon those assumptions also could be incorrect. Except to the extent required by law, AbbVie and Apogee undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


Additional Information and Where to Find It

This communication is being made in respect of the proposed transaction involving Apogee and AbbVie. A meeting of the stockholders of Apogee will be announced as promptly as practicable to seek Apogee stockholder approval in connection with the proposed transaction. Apogee intends to file relevant materials with the SEC, including preliminary and definitive proxy statements relating to the proposed transaction. The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to Apogee’s stockholders. This communication is not a substitute for the proxy statement or any other document that may be filed by Apogee with the SEC.

BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION, APOGEE STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE PRELIMINARY AND DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENTS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.

Any vote in respect of resolutions to be proposed at Apogee’s stockholder meeting to approve the proposed transaction or other responses in relation to the proposed transaction should be made only on the basis of the information contained in Apogee’s proxy statement. You will be able to obtain a free copy of the proxy statement and other related documents (when available) filed by Apogee with the SEC at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or by accessing the Investors section of Apogee’s website at https://investors.apogeetherapeutics.com.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to, and does not constitute or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer or invitation to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the proposed transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law.

Participants in the Solicitation

Apogee, AbbVie and their respective directors and executive officers and certain of their employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Apogee’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding Apogee’s directors and executive officers is set forth under the captions “Proposal 1: Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance,” “Executive Officers,” “Executive Compensation” and “Certain Information About Our Common Stock” in the definitive proxy statement for Apogee’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 24, 2026, and in Apogee’s Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on April 24, 2026 and June 12, 2026. Information regarding AbbVie’s directors and executive officers is set forth under the captions “Information Concerning Director Nominees,” “The Board of Directors and its Committees,” “Director Compensation,” “Securities Ownership” and “Executive Compensation” in the definitive proxy statement for AbbVie’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on March 23, 2026, and in AbbVie’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 12, 2026. To the extent holdings of Apogee’s securities and AbbVie’s securities by their respective directors or executive officers have changed since the amounts set forth in such filings, such changes have been or will be reflected on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 or Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. These documents may be obtained free of charge from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by accessing the Investors section of Apogee’s website at https://investors.apogeetherapeutics.com and the Investors section of AbbVie’s website at https://investors.abbvie.com. Additional information regarding the interests of participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction will be included in the proxy statement that Apogee expects to file in connection with the proposed transaction and other relevant materials Apogee may file with the SEC.

###


AbbVie Contacts

Media:
Marianne Ostrogorski
marianne.ostrogorski@abbvie.com
Investors:
Liz Shea
liz.shea@abbvie.com

Apogee Contacts

Media:
Andi Rose / Aura Reinhard
Investors:
Noel Kurdi
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
(212) 355-4449
VP, Investor Relations
noel.kurdi@apogeetherapeutics.com
   
Dan Budwick
 
1AB Media
 
dan@1abmedia.com
 




Exhibit 99.2

Execution Version

VOTING AGREEMENT

This VOTING AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of June 18, 2026, is by and among AbbVie Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Guarantor”), Andor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned Subsidiary of Guarantor (“Parent”), Andor Merger Co., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”) and each of the stockholders set forth on Exhibit A (each, a “Stockholder”, and, if applicable, collectively, the “Stockholders”).

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, each Stockholder is the record and beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of (i) the shares of common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (“Voting Common Stock”) of the Company (as defined below) and (ii) the shares of non-voting common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (“Non-Voting Common Stock”) of the Company that are set forth under such Stockholder’s name on Exhibit A attached hereto (such shares, collectively, the “Subject Shares”);

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution hereof, Guarantor, Parent, Merger Sub and Apogee Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof and as it may be amended from time to time (the “Merger Agreement”), which provides, among other things, for Merger Sub to be merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”) with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement (capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement); and

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement and as an inducement to Guarantor’s, Parent’s and Merger Sub’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement, each of the Stockholders (solely in the Stockholder’s capacity as a holder of the Subject Shares), and severally and not jointly with the other Stockholder, has agreed to enter into this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth below and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I
AGREEMENT TO VOTE

Section 1.1 Agreement to Vote.  Subject to the terms of this Agreement, each Stockholder hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that, during the time this Agreement is in effect, at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Company, however called, including any adjournment, recess or postponement thereof, and in connection with any action proposed to be taken by written consent of the stockholders of the Company, each Stockholder shall, in each case to the fullest extent that the Subject Shares are entitled to vote thereon: (a) cause all of the Subject Shares to be counted as present thereat for purposes of determining a quorum; and (b) be present (in person or by proxy) and vote (or cause to be voted if another Person is the holder of record of any Subject Shares beneficially owned by the Stockholder), or deliver (or cause to be delivered) a written consent with respect to, all of its Subject Shares (i) in favor of (A) the adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement and the approval of the Merger and (B) the approval of any proposal to adjourn, recess or postpone any meeting of the holders of Voting Common Stock to a later date if the Company or Parent proposes or requests such postponement, recess or adjournment in accordance with Section 5.4 of the Merger Agreement,  and (C) the approval of any other proposal considered and voted upon by the Company stockholders at any meeting of the holders of Voting Common Stock or Non-Voting Common Stock necessary for consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and (ii) against any (A) Company Alternative Transaction, (B) action or agreement that would result in a breach of any covenant, representation or warranty or any other obligation or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement, (C) against any change in membership of the Company Board that is not recommended or approved by the Company Board and (D) other action that is intended or could reasonably be expected to impede or interfere with or materially delay the Merger or any other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.  Until the Effective Time, each Stockholder shall retain at all times the right to vote their Subject Shares in such Stockholder’s sole discretion, and without any other limitation, on any matters other than those set forth in this Section 1.1 that are at any time or from time to time presented for consideration to the Company’s stockholders generally.


Section 1.2 Irrevocable Proxy.  Each Stockholder hereby revokes (or agrees to cause to be revoked) any and all previous proxies granted with respect to the Subject Shares.  In the event that a Stockholder has not delivered to the Company, at least two (2) business days prior to the applicable meeting of the stockholders of the Company or deadline for action by written consent, as applicable, a duly executed irrevocable proxy card or written consent, as applicable, directing that the applicable Subject Shares be voted in accordance with Section 1.1 or any other failure by such Stockholder to act in accordance with such Stockholder’s obligation pursuant to Section 1.1, such Stockholder hereby grants a proxy appointing Parent as the Stockholder’s attorney-in-fact and proxy, with full power of substitution, for and in such Stockholder’s name, to vote, express consent or dissent, or otherwise to utilize such voting power in the manner contemplated by Section 1.1.  The proxy and related interest granted by each Stockholder pursuant to this Section 1.2 is irrevocable and is granted in consideration of Guarantor, Parent and Merger Sub entering into this Agreement and the Merger Agreement and incurring certain related fees and expenses.  The proxy granted by each Stockholder shall not be exercised to vote, consent or act on any matter except as contemplated by Section 1.1.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the proxy granted by each Stockholder shall be revoked, terminated and of no further force or effect, automatically and without further action, upon termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 5.2 hereof.

ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE STOCKHOLDERS

Each Stockholder represents and warrants, as to such Stockholder on a several basis, to Guarantor, Parent and Merger Sub, that:

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Section 2.1 Organization and Good Standing.  The Stockholder is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and the Stockholder has full power and authority, and is duly authorized to make, enter into and carry out the terms of this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.

Section 2.2 Authority; Binding Agreement.  The Stockholder has all requisite legal right, power, authority and capacity to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Stockholder, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Stockholder enforceable against the Stockholder in accordance with its terms and no other action is necessary to authorize the execution and delivery by the Stockholder or the performance of the Stockholder’s obligations hereunder (in each case, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions).

Section 2.3 Non-Contravention.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Stockholder does not, and the performance by the Stockholder of the Stockholder’s obligations hereunder and the consummation by the Stockholder of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (a) violate any Law or Legal Restraint applicable to the Stockholder or the Subject Shares or (b) except as may be required by applicable U.S. Federal securities Laws, require any consent, approval, order, authorization or other action by, or filing with or notice to, any Person (including any Governmental Body) under, violate or constitute a default (with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both) under, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration under, or result in the creation of any Encumbrances on the Subject Shares pursuant to, any (i) Contract, agreement, trust, commitment, Legal Restraint, stipulation, settlement or other instrument binding on the Stockholder or the Subject Shares, (ii) any applicable Law or (iii) any provision of the organizational or governing documents of the Stockholder, if applicable; in case of each of clauses (a) and (b), except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prevent, impede or delay the Stockholder from performing its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby in a timely manner.

Section 2.4 Ownership of Subject Shares; Total Shares.  The Stockholder is the record or beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of the Subject Shares and has good and marketable title to the Subject Shares free and clear of any Encumbrances, except for Encumbrances as may be applicable under the Securities Act or other applicable securities Laws.  Except pursuant to this Agreement, no Person has any contractual or other right or obligation to purchase or otherwise acquire all or any portion of the Subject Shares.  Except for the Subject Shares, as of the date hereof, the Stockholder is not the record or beneficial owner of any (a) Voting Common Stock or voting securities of the Company, (b) Non-Voting Common Stock or (c) other than as set forth on Exhibit A, options, warrants or other rights to acquire, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for (in each case, whether currently, upon lapse of time, following the satisfaction of any conditions, upon the occurrence of any event or any combination of the foregoing), any capital stock, voting securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Company Common Stock or other voting securities of the Company.

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Section 2.5 Voting Power.  Other than as provided in this Agreement, the Stockholder has full voting power with respect to all of the Subject Shares, and full power of disposition, full power to issue instructions with respect to the matters set forth herein and full power to agree to all of the matters set forth in this Agreement, in each case with respect to all of the Subject Shares.  None of the Subject Shares are subject to any stockholders’ agreement, proxy, voting trust or other agreement or arrangement with respect to the voting of the Subject Shares.

Section 2.6 Acknowledgment.  The Stockholder has been represented by or had the opportunity to be represented by independent counsel of its own choosing and has had the right and opportunity to consult with its attorney, and to the extent, if any, that the Stockholder desired, the Stockholder availed itself of such right and opportunity.

Section 2.7 Absence of Litigation.  With respect to the Stockholder, as of the date hereof, there is no action, suit, claim, proceeding, investigation, arbitration or inquiry pending against, or, to the knowledge of the Stockholder, threatened in writing against, and there is no Legal Restraint imposed upon, the Stockholder or any of the Stockholder’s properties or assets (including the Subject Shares) except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prevent, impede or delay the Stockholder from performing its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby in a timely manner.

ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GUARANTOR, PARENT AND MERGER SUB

Each of Guarantor, Parent and Merger Sub represents and warrants, jointly and severally, to each Stockholder that:

Section 3.1 Organization; Authorization.  Each of Guarantor, Parent and Merger Sub is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.  The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby are within each of Guarantor’s Parent’s and Merger Sub’s corporate powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate actions on the part of Guarantor, Parent and Merger Sub.  Each of Guarantor, Parent and Merger Sub has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its respective obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 3.2 Binding Agreement.  Each of Guarantor, Parent and Merger Sub has duly executed and delivered this Agreement, and this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Guarantor, Parent and Merger Sub, enforceable against Guarantor, Parent and Merger Sub in accordance with its terms (in each case, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions).

Section 3.3 Company Common Stock.  None of Guarantor, Parent, Merger Sub or their respective Affiliates is the beneficial owner of Company Common Stock.

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ARTICLE IV
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF THE STOCKHOLDERS

Each Stockholder hereby covenants and agrees, with respect to itself, that until the valid termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 5.2:

Section 4.1 No Transfer; No Inconsistent Arrangements.  Except as provided hereunder or under the Merger Agreement, from and after the date hereof and until this Agreement is validly terminated in accordance with Section 5.2, each Stockholder agrees not to, directly or indirectly, (a) create or permit to exist any Encumbrances, other than Encumbrances as may be applicable under the Securities Act or other applicable securities Laws, on all or any portion of the Subject Shares, (b) transfer, sell, assign, gift, hedge, pledge or otherwise dispose (whether by sale, liquidation, dissolution, dividend or distribution) of, or enter into any derivative arrangement with respect to (collectively, “Transfer”), all or any portion of the Subject Shares, or any right or interest therein (or consent to any of the foregoing), (c) enter into any Contract with respect to any Transfer of the Subject Shares, or any interest therein, (d) grant or permit the grant of any proxy, power-of-attorney or other authorization or consent in or with respect to all or any portion of the Subject Shares, (e) deposit or permit the deposit of all or any portion of the Subject Shares into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement or arrangement with respect to all or any portion of the Subject Shares, (f) tender any Subject Shares into any tender or exchange offer or (g) take or permit any other action that would reasonably be expected to prevent, impede or delay such Stockholder from performing its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or seek to do so or solicit any of the foregoing actions, or cause or permit any other Person to take any of the foregoing actions.  Any action taken in violation of the foregoing sentence shall be null and void ab initio and each Stockholder agrees that any such prohibited action may and should be enjoined.  If any involuntary Transfer of all or any portion of the Subject Shares shall occur (including, if applicable, a sale by a Stockholder’s trustee in any bankruptcy, or a sale to a purchaser at any creditor’s or court sale), the transferee (which term, as used herein, shall include any and all transferees and subsequent transferees of the initial transferee) shall take and hold such Subject Shares subject to all of the restrictions, liabilities and rights under this Agreement, which shall continue in full force and effect until the valid termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 5.2.  Each Stockholder agrees that it shall not, and shall cause each of its controlled Affiliates not to, become a member of a “group” (as defined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) with respect to any securities in the Company for the purpose of opposing or competing with or taking any actions inconsistent with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Stockholder may Transfer any or all of the Subject Shares, in accordance with applicable Law, to such Stockholder’s controlled Affiliates; provided, that, prior to and as a condition to the effectiveness of such Transfer, each Person to whom any of such Subject Shares or any interest in any of such Subject Shares is or may be transferred shall have executed and delivered to Parent a counterpart of this Agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to Parent pursuant to which such Affiliate shall be bound by all of the terms and provisions hereof, in which case such Affiliate shall be deemed a Stockholder hereunder.

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Section 4.2 No Exercise of Appraisal Rights; Actions.  Each Stockholder (a) forever waives and agrees not to exercise any appraisal or dissenters’ rights (including under Section 262 of the DGCL) in respect of all or any portion of its Subject Shares that may arise with respect to the Merger and (b) agrees not to commence or join in any class action with respect to, any claim, derivative or otherwise, against Guarantor, Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or any of their respective successors relating to the negotiation, execution or delivery of this Agreement or the Merger Agreement or the consummation of the Merger, including any action, suit, claim or proceeding (i) challenging the validity of, or seeking to enjoin the operation of, any provision of this Agreement or the Merger Agreement or (ii) alleging breach of any fiduciary duty of any Person in connection with the negotiation and entry into the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby, but excluding any suit alleging a breach of the Merger Agreement.

Section 4.3 Documentation and Information.  Except (i) as required by applicable Law (including the filing of a Schedule 13D or Schedule 13D amendment with the SEC which may include this Agreement as an exhibit thereto), (ii) communications and announcements that are consistent with information required by law to be contained in a Schedule 13D or Schedule 13D amendment or is contained in the joint press release contemplated by Section 5.10 of the Merger Agreement, and (iii) customary internal communications to its and its controlled Affiliates’ limited partners that are subject to confidentiality obligations, prior to the consummation of the Merger, each Stockholder shall not, and shall direct its Representatives not to, make any public announcement regarding this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby without the prior written consent of Parent.  Each Stockholder consents to and hereby authorizes Guarantor, Parent and Merger Sub to publish and disclose in all documents and schedules filed with the SEC, and any press release or other disclosure document that Guarantor, Parent or Merger Sub reasonably determines to be necessary in connection with the Merger and any transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, such Stockholder’s identity and ownership of the Subject Shares, the existence of this Agreement and the nature of such Stockholder’s commitments and obligations under this Agreement, and each Stockholder acknowledges that Guarantor, Parent and Merger Sub may, in Guarantor’s, Parent’s or Merger Sub’s sole discretion, file this Agreement or a form hereof with the SEC or any other Governmental Body; provided that, other than any such disclosure that describes the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or this Agreement as a factual matter, each Stockholder shall have a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon any such disclosure prior to any such filing, which comments Guarantor, Parent and Merger Sub shall consider in good faith.  Each Stockholder agrees to promptly give Parent any information that is reasonably necessary for the preparation of any such disclosure documents, and each Stockholder agrees to promptly notify Parent of any required corrections with respect to any written information supplied by it specifically for use in any such disclosure document, if and to the extent that such Stockholder shall become aware that any such information shall have become false or misleading in any material respect.  Promptly after the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Parent and each Stockholder shall cooperate to prepare and file with the SEC any required disclosure statements on Schedule 13D or any amendments or supplements thereto, as applicable, relating to the Merger Agreement, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

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Section 4.4 No Solicitation.  Subject to Section 5.15, prior to the consummation of the Merger, each Stockholder shall not, nor shall it authorize or knowingly permit any of its Representatives to, directly or indirectly, (a) take any action or omit to take any action that the Company is not permitted to take or omit to take pursuant to subclauses (A), (B), (D) or (E) of Section 5.3(a) of the Merger Agreement or (b) approve, authorize, endorse, agree to or recommend any proposal that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, an Company Alternative Transaction (provided that nothing herein restricts a Stockholder from providing its views to the Company Board regarding any proposal received by the Company).  Each Stockholder shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and its and their respective Affiliates (to the extent it has the legal ability to cause) to, and shall direct its Representatives to, immediately cease and terminate, any solicitation, encouragement, discussion, activity or negotiation commenced prior to the date of this Agreement with any Person and such Person’s Representatives (other than with Guarantor, Parent, Merger Sub or each of their Representatives) with respect to any inquiry, proposal, discussion, negotiation, or offer that constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to constitute or lead to, a Company Alternative Transaction.

Section 4.5 Adjustments; Additional Shares.  In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, merger, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction with respect to the capital stock of the Company that affects the Subject Shares, the terms of this Agreement shall apply to the resulting securities.  In the event that each Stockholder acquires any additional Company Common Stock or other interests in or with respect to the Company, such Company Common Stock or other interests shall, without further action of the parties hereto, be subject to the provisions of this Agreement, and the number of the Subject Shares of such Stockholder will be deemed amended accordingly.  Each Stockholder shall promptly notify Guarantor, Parent and Merger Sub of any such event.

ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS

Section 5.1 Notices.  All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery by hand, by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), or by email to the respective parties hereto at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party hereto as shall be specified by like notice): (a) if to Guarantor, Parent, or Merger Sub, in accordance with the provisions of the Merger Agreement and (b) if to a Stockholder, to such Stockholder’s address or email address set forth on a signature page hereto, or to such other address or email address as such party hereto may hereafter specify in writing for the purpose by notice to each other party hereto.

Section 5.2 Termination.  This Agreement shall terminate automatically, without any notice or other action by any Person, upon the first to occur of (a) the valid termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, (b) the Effective Time, (c) receipt of the Required Company Stockholder Approvals, (d) any modification or amendment to the Merger Agreement that reduces the amount, changes the form or otherwise adversely affects the consideration payable to a Stockholder pursuant to the Merger Agreement as in effect on the date hereof and (e) the mutual written consent of all of the parties hereto.  Upon termination of this Agreement, no party hereto shall have any further obligations or liabilities under this Agreement; provided, however, that (i) nothing set forth in this Section 5.2 shall relieve any party hereto from liability for any willful breach of this Agreement or from fraud prior to termination of this Agreement and (ii) the provisions of this Article V shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

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Section 5.3 Amendments and Waivers.  Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed, in the case of an amendment, by each party hereto and by the Company or, in the case of a waiver, by each party hereto against whom the waiver is to be effective.  Any purported amendment or waiver not made in accordance with the foregoing shall be null and void.  No failure or delay by any party hereto in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

Section 5.4 Expenses.  All fees and expenses incurred in connection herewith and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party hereto incurring such expenses, whether or not the Merger is consummated.

Section 5.5 Binding Effect; No Third Party Beneficiaries; Assignment.  The parties hereto hereby agree that their respective representations, warranties and covenants set forth herein are solely for the benefit of the other parties hereto, in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement, and this Agreement is not intended to, and does not, confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder, including the right to rely upon the representations and warranties set forth herein; provided, however, that the Company is an express third party beneficiary of this Agreement, and is entitled to directly enforce the provisions hereof (including Section 5.3) and to remedies hereunder.  Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto, except to the extent that such rights, interests or obligations are assigned pursuant to a Transfer expressly permitted under Section 4.1.  No assignment by any party hereto shall relieve such party hereto of any of its obligations hereunder.  Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

Section 5.6 Governing Law; Jurisdiction.

(a) This Agreement and any matters or disputes relating thereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts executed in and to be performed entirely within that State, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under any applicable conflict of laws principles.

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(b) All actions, suits, claims, proceedings, demands, arbitrations or inquiries (each an, “Action”) arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement, including the formation and interpretation of this Agreement, whether sounding in contract, tort, statute or otherwise, shall be heard and determined exclusively in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware declines to accept jurisdiction over any such Action, any state or federal court within the State of Delaware), and in each case, appellate courts therefrom, and the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts in any such Action and irrevocably waive the defense of an inconvenient forum or lack of jurisdiction to the maintenance of any such Action.  The consents to jurisdiction and venue set forth in this Section 5.6 shall not constitute general consents to service of process in the State of Delaware and shall have no effect for any purpose, except as provided in this paragraph, and shall not be deemed to confer rights on any Person other than the parties hereto.  Each party hereto agrees that service of process upon such party hereto in any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be effective if notice is given by overnight courier at the address described in Section 5.1 of this Agreement and consents to such courts’ exercise of personal jurisdiction over such party.  The parties hereto agree that a final judgment in any such Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable Law; provided, however, that nothing in the foregoing shall restrict any party hereto’s rights to seek any post-judgment relief regarding, or any appeal from, a final trial court judgment.

(c) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY OF THE AGREEMENTS DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH (INCLUDING THE MERGER AGREEMENT) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.  EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (B) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (C) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (D) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.6(c).

Section 5.7 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including by electronic mail) and by electronic or digital signature, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to the other parties hereto.  Signatures to this Agreement transmitted by electronic mail in “portable document format” (.pdf) form, or by any other electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document, will have the same effect as physical delivery of a paper document bearing an original signature.

Section 5.8 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties hereto and their Affiliates, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.  NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY HEREIN, EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT, EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARTIES CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT, NO PARTY MAKES ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES TO THE OTHER, AND EACH PARTY HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OR AS TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY OTHER INFORMATION, MADE (OR MADE AVAILABLE BY) BY ITSELF OR ANY OF ITS REPRESENTATIVES, WITH RESPECT TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION OR DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, NOTWITHSTANDING THE DELIVERY OR DISCLOSURE TO THE OTHER OR THE OTHER’S REPRESENTATIVES OF ANY DOCUMENTATION OR OTHER INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE FOREGOING; PROVIDED THAT THE FOREGOING SHALL NOT LIMIT ANY REMEDY AVAILABLE TO ANY PARTY IN THE EVENT OF FRAUD BY THE OTHER PARTY.

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Section 5.9 Severability.  If any term, condition or other provision of this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any Law or public policy, all other terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect.  Upon such determination that any term, condition or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties hereto as closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law.

Section 5.10 Specific Performance.  The parties hereto hereby agree that irreparable damage for which monetary relief, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached, and, accordingly, that each party shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the each party’s performance of the terms and provisions hereof, without proof of damages or otherwise, in addition to any other remedy to which each party is entitled at law or in equity.  In any action, suit, claim, or proceeding for specific performance, each party will waive the defense of adequacy of any other remedy at law, and each party will waive any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond or other security in connection with the remedies referred to in this Section 5.10.

Section 5.11 Headings.  The Section headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 5.12 Mutual Drafting.  Each party hereto has participated in the drafting of this Agreement, which each party hereto acknowledges is the result of extensive negotiations between the parties hereto; accordingly, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.

Section 5.13 Further Assurances.  Guarantor, Parent, Merger Sub and each Stockholder will execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all further documents and instruments and use their respective reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws and regulations, to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement.

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Section 5.14 Interpretation.  Unless the context otherwise requires, as used in this Agreement: (a) “or” is not exclusive; (b) “including” and its variants mean “including, without limitation” and its variants; (c) words defined in the singular have the parallel meaning in the plural and vice versa; (d) words of one gender shall be construed to apply to each gender; and (e) the terms “Article,” “Section” and “Schedule” refer to the specified Article, Section or Schedule of or to this Agreement.

Section 5.15 Capacity as Stockholders.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (a) each Stockholder signs this Agreement solely in such Stockholder’s capacity as a stockholder of the Company, and not in any other capacity, and (b) nothing herein shall in any way restrict a director or officer of the Company in the taking of any actions (or failure to act) in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company, or in the exercise of his or her fiduciary duties as a director or officer of the Company, or prevent or be construed to create any obligation on the part of any director or officer of the Company from taking any action in his or her capacity as such director or officer.

Section 5.16 No Agreement Until Executed.  This Agreement shall not be effective unless and until (a) the Merger Agreement is executed by all parties thereto, and (b) this Agreement is executed by all parties hereto.

Section 5.17 No Ownership Interest.  Except as otherwise provided herein, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to vest in Guarantor, Parent or Merger Sub any direct or indirect ownership or incidence of ownership of or with respect to the Subject Shares.  All rights, ownership and economic benefits of and relating to the Subject Shares shall remain vested in and belong to each Stockholder, and none of Guarantor, Parent or Merger Sub shall have any authority to manage, direct, restrict, regulate, govern or administer any of the policies or operations of the Company or exercise any power or authority to direct such Stockholder in the voting of any of the Subject Shares, except as otherwise provided herein.

Section 5.18 Stockholder Obligation Several and Not Joint.  The obligations of each Stockholder hereunder shall be several and not joint, and no Stockholder shall be liable for any breach of the terms of this Agreement by any other Stockholder.

[Signature Page Follows]

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The parties hereto are executing this Agreement on the date set forth in the introductory clause.

 
Parent:
 
       
 
ANDOR LLC
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Scott T. Reents
 
 
Name:
Scott T. Reents
 
 
Title:
President
 
       
 
Merger Sub:
 
       
 
ANDOR MERGER CO.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Scott T. Reents
 
 
Name:
Scott T. Reents
 
 
Title:
President
 
       
 
Guarantor:
 
       
 
ABBVIE INC.
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Scott T. Reents
 
 
Name:
Scott T. Reents
 
 
Title:
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
 

[Signature Page to Voting Agreement]


 
Stockholder:
 
       
 
FAIRMOUNT HEALTHCARE FUND II, L.P.
 
       
 
By: Fairmount Healthcare Fund II GP LLC
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Peter Harwin
 
 
Name:
Peter Harwin
 
 
Title:
Managing Member
 
 
Email:
[***]
 

[Signature Page to Voting Agreement]


 
Stockholder:
 
       
 
VENROCK HEALTHCARE CAPITAL PARTNERS III, L.P.
 
       
 
By: VHCP Management III, LLC, its general partner
 
       
 
By: Venrock Adviser, LLC, its manager
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Sherman Souther
 
 
Name:
Sherman Souther
 
 
Title:
Authorized Signatory
 
 
Email:
[***]
 

[Signature Page to Voting Agreement]


 
Stockholder:
 
       
 
VHCP CO-INVESTMENT HOLDINGS III, LLC
 
       
 
By: VHCP Management III, LLC, its manager
 
       
 
By: Venrock Adviser, LLC, its manager
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Sherman Souther
 
 
Name:
Sherman Souther
 
 
Title:
Authorized Signatory
 
 
Email:
[***]
 

[Signature Page to Voting Agreement]


 
Stockholder:
 
       
 
VENROCK HEALTHCARE CAPITAL PARTNERS EG, L.P.
 
       
 
By: Venrock Management EG, LLC, its general partner
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Sherman Souther
 
 
Name:
Sherman Souther
 
 
Title:
Authorized Signatory
 
 
Email:
[***]
 

[Signature Page to Voting Agreement]


Exhibit A

Subject Shares


1.
Fairmount Healthcare Fund II, L.P.


a.
298,647 shares of Voting Common Stock


b.
6,743,321 shares of Non-Voting Common Stock


2.
Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners III, L.P.


a.
460,075 shares of Voting Common Stock


b.
2,495,319 shares of Non-Voting Common Stock


3.
VHCP Co-Investment Holdings III, LLC


a.
46,025 shares of Voting Common Stock


b.
249,522 shares of Non-Voting Common Stock


4.
Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners EG, L.P.


a.
1,243,900 shares of Voting Common Stock


b.
3,998,480 shares of Non-Voting Common Stock


5.
Venrock Opportunities Fund, L.P.


a.
365,853 pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 365,853 shares of Voting Common Stock



FAQ

What did AbbVie agree to pay to acquire Apogee Therapeutics (APGE)?

AbbVie agreed to acquire all outstanding Apogee shares for $135.11 per share in cash, valuing Apogee at approximately $10.9 billion. This all-cash consideration gives Apogee stockholders a clear takeout price, subject to stockholder approval and regulatory clearances.

When is the AbbVie–Apogee Therapeutics (APGE) acquisition expected to close?

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, assuming customary conditions are satisfied. These include Apogee stockholder approval, required antitrust and other regulatory approvals, and the absence of laws or orders making the merger illegal or blocking its completion.

What are the key closing conditions for the Apogee Therapeutics (APGE) merger with AbbVie?

Closing the merger requires Apogee stockholder approval, necessary regulatory approvals including under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, accuracy of representations, covenant compliance, and no law or order prohibiting the deal. There must also be no specified material adverse effect on Apogee.

Does the AbbVie–Apogee Therapeutics (APGE) merger include termination fees?

Yes. The merger agreement provides for reciprocal $381,273,716 termination fees. Apogee may owe this fee if it accepts a superior proposal or changes its recommendation, while AbbVie’s side may owe the same amount if the deal terminates under certain regulatory-failure scenarios.

What strategic pipeline assets make Apogee Therapeutics (APGE) attractive to AbbVie?

Apogee’s appeal centers on its immunology pipeline, including zumilokibart (APG777) for atopic dermatitis and asthma and APG273, combining APG777 with APG333 targeting TSLP. AbbVie cites strong Phase 2 and early asthma data and potential “mega-blockbuster” peak sales across these assets.

Have major Apogee Therapeutics (APGE) shareholders agreed to support the AbbVie deal?

Certain Apogee stockholders, including funds such as Fairmount Healthcare Fund II L.P. and several Venrock-managed vehicles, entered into a Voting Agreement. They committed to vote their shares in favor of the merger and related proposals, subject to the agreement’s terms.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

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