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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant
to Section 13 or Section 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report
(Date of earliest event reported): October 22, 2025
AVADEL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified
in its charter)
| Ireland |
001-37977 |
98-1341933 |
| (State or other jurisdiction |
(Commission |
(IRS Employer |
| of incorporation) |
File Number) |
Identification No.) |
10
Earlsfort Terrace
Dublin 2, Ireland, D02
T380 |
Not Applicable |
| (Address of principal executive offices) |
(Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including
area code: +353 1 901 5201
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 to the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ¨ |
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| x |
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 |
|
Ordinary
Shares, nominal value $0.01 per share |
AVDL |
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. |
Transaction Agreement
On October 22, 2025, Avadel Pharmaceuticals plc,
a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Ireland (the “Company”), entered into a Transaction Agreement (the
“Transaction Agreement”) by and between the Company and Alkermes plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws
of Ireland (“Alkermes”). Under the terms of the Transaction Agreement, Alkermes will acquire the Company (the “Acquisition”)
pursuant to a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Chapter 1 of Part 9 of the Companies Act 2014 of Ireland (the “Scheme”),
or under certain circumstances, subject to the terms of the Transaction Agreement, a takeover offer (as such term is defined in the Irish
Takeover Rules) rather than the Scheme. As a result of the Scheme, the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Alkermes.
At the effective time of the Scheme (the “Effective
Time”), holders of the ordinary shares of the Company, nominal value $0.01 per share (the “Company Shares”), will be
entitled to receive $18.50 in cash per Company Share (the “Cash Consideration”) and a non-transferable contingent value right
entitling the holders to a potential additional cash payment of $1.50 per Company Share, contingent upon achievement of the specified
milestones set forth in the CVR Agreement (as defined below) (such contingent value rights, the “CVRs” and, together with
the Cash Consideration, the “Consideration”). The Acquisition has been recommended by the board of directors of the Company
(the “Company Board”) and the board of directors of Alkermes.
The Transaction Agreement provides for the following
treatment of the Company’s outstanding equity awards at the Effective Time (as defined in the Transaction Agreement):
| • | each option to purchase Company Shares granted under any Company
equity incentive plan, program or arrangement under which equity awards are outstanding (the “Company Share Plans”) (each,
a “Company Option”) having an exercise price less than the Cash Consideration (each such option, a “Company Cash-Out
Option”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether or not vested, will be cancelled and converted into
the right to receive (without interest), in consideration of the cancellation of such Company Cash-Out Option, (i) an amount in cash
(less applicable tax and any other mandatory withholdings), equal to the product of (x) the total number of Company Shares subject to
such Company Cash-Out Option immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (y) the excess of the Cash Consideration over the
applicable exercise price per Company Share under such Company Cash-Out Option and (ii) one CVR for each Company Share subject to such
Company Cash-Out Option immediately prior to the Effective Time (without regard to vesting); |
| • | each Company Option that is not a Company Cash-Out Option and
any Company Option with an exercise price equal to or greater than the Cash Consideration that is outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time, whether or not vested, will be cancelled for no consideration; |
| • | each award of restricted share units representing the right
to receive one or more Company Shares or the cash value thereof upon vesting and settlement, whether granted pursuant to the Company
Share Plans or otherwise (“Company RSU Awards”) that is outstanding will be cancelled and, in exchange therefor, the holder
of such cancelled Company RSU Award will be entitled to receive (without interest), in consideration of the cancellation of such Company
RSU Award, (i) an amount in cash (less applicable tax or any other mandatory withholdings) equal to the product of (x) the total number
of Company Shares subject to such Company RSU Award immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (y) the Cash Consideration
and (ii) one (1) CVR for each Company Share subject to such Company RSU Award immediately prior to the Effective Time (without regard
to vesting); and |
| • | each award of Company Shares subject to vesting restrictions
or forfeiture back to Company (each, a “Company Restricted Stock Award”), whether granted pursuant to the Company Share Plans
or otherwise that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will vest in full as of immediately prior to the Effective Time
and will be treated in the same manner as all other Company Shares. |
Conditions to Completion of the Acquisition
The Acquisition is subject to customary closing
conditions, including, among other things (a) the approval by the Company shareholders of the Scheme, (b) the sanction by the Irish High
Court of the Scheme and delivery of the court order to the Irish Registrar of Companies, and (c) the receipt of required antitrust clearances
in the United States. The conditions to the implementation of the Scheme are set forth in full in Appendix III to the announcement (the
“Rule 2.7 Announcement”) issued jointly by Alkermes and the Company pursuant to Rule 2.7 of the Irish Takeover Panel Act,
1997, Takeover Rules, 2022 (the “Irish Takeover Rules”) on October 22, 2025 (the “Conditions Appendix”).
Representations and Warranties; Covenants
The Transaction Agreement contains customary representations,
warranties and covenants by the Company and Alkermes. From the date of the Transaction Agreement until the earlier of the completion of
the Acquisition and the termination of the Transaction Agreement, the Company has agreed to conduct its business in the ordinary course.
The Transaction Agreement also requires the Company
not to, directly or indirectly, among other things, (i) initiate or solicit, or take any action to facilitate or knowingly encourage (including
by way of furnishing information to any person in connection with) the submission or announcement of any Company Alternative Proposal
(as defined in the Transaction Agreement) or any indication, proposal or inquiry that would reasonably be expected to lead to a Company
Alternative Proposal, (ii) enter into, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations with, furnish any non-public
information relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries to, or afford access to the business, properties, assets, books or records
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to, otherwise cooperate in any way with, or assist, participate in, knowingly facilitate or
knowingly encourage any effect by, any third party that would reasonably be expected to seek to make, or has made, a Company Alternative
Proposal, (iii) effect a Company Board Change of Recommendation (as defined in the Transaction Agreement), (iv) take any action to make
anti-takeover laws and regulations inapplicable to any third party or any Company Alternative Proposal, (v) waive, terminate, modify or
fail to enforce any standstill or similar obligations of any person with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (vi) enter
into any agreement that would reasonably be expected to lead to, a Company Alternative Proposal (other than entry into a Company Alternative
Proposal NDA (as defined in the Transaction Agreement)).
The Transaction Agreement contains a customary
“fiduciary out” provision that allows the Company, under certain specified circumstances, to furnish information to, or engage
in negotiations or discussions with, third parties with respect to a Company Alternative Proposal if the Company complies with certain
notice and other requirements (including affording Alkermes certain matching rights) and the Company Board determines in good faith (after
consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisor(s)) that (x) such Company Alternative Proposal is a Company Superior
Proposal (as defined in the Transaction Agreement) and (y) its failure to take such actions would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties
under applicable law. Subject to certain exceptions, the Transaction Agreement also requires the Company to hold an extraordinary general
meeting of the Company shareholders and requires the Company Board to recommend approval of the Acquisition to the Company shareholders
at such extraordinary general meeting.
Termination and Expense Reimbursement
The Transaction Agreement may be terminated and
the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, including the Acquisition, may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective
Time by mutual written consent of Alkermes and the Company, subject to the consent of the Irish Takeover Panel. The Transaction Agreement
also contains certain customary termination rights, including, among others and subject to certain conditions, the right of either party
to terminate the Transaction Agreement if (i) the requisite Company shareholder approvals are not obtained at the Court Meeting (as
defined in the Transaction Agreement) and/or at the extraordinary general meeting of the Company’s shareholders, (ii) the Scheme
has not become effective by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that is 9 months following the date of the Transaction Agreement
(which date is subject to automatic extension to the date that is 12 months following the date of the Transaction Agreement if regulatory
approvals have not yet been obtained), (iii) the other party breaches or fails to perform in any material respect any of its covenants
or other agreements or any of the other party’s representations or warranties are inaccurate, and such breach, failure to perform
or inaccuracy would result in certain of the conditions set forth in the Conditions Appendix not being satisfied, subject to a cure period,
(iv) there is in effect any applicable law or final and non-appealable order by any governmental entity of competent jurisdiction
that permanently restrains, enjoins, makes illegal or otherwise prohibits the consummation of the Acquisition or (v) the High Court
declines or refuses to sanction the Scheme, unless Alkermes and the Company agree in writing to appeal the decision of the High Court.
the Company also has the right, prior to the receipt of the requisite the Company shareholder approvals, to terminate the Transaction
Agreement to accept a Company Superior Proposal in certain circumstances, and Alkermes also has the right, prior to receipt of the requisite
Company shareholder approvals, to terminate the Transaction Agreement if a Company Board Change of Recommendation occurs.
The Company has agreed to pay to Alkermes, in
certain circumstances, an amount equal to the documented, specific and quantifiable third-party costs and expenses incurred, directly
or indirectly, by Alkermes or its subsidiaries, or on their behalf, for the purposes of, in preparation for, or in connection with the
Acquisition, including third party costs and expenses incurred in connection with exploratory work carried out in contemplation of and
in connection with the Acquisition, legal, financial and commercial due diligence, the arrangement of financing and the engagement of
third party representatives to assist in the process (together with any applicable Irrecoverable VAT (as defined in the Transaction Agreement)
thereon). The maximum amount payable by the Company to Alkermes in such circumstances is an amount equal to one percent (1%) of the aggregate
value of the total Cash Consideration payable in connection with the Acquisition.
The foregoing description of the terms of the
Transaction Agreement and the Conditions Appendix are only summaries, and do not purport to be complete, and are subject to and qualified
in their entirety by, the complete text of the Transaction Agreement and the Conditions Appendix, copies of which are filed herewith as
Exhibit 2.1 and Exhibit 2.2, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.
The foregoing description of the Transaction Agreement
has been included to provide investors and stockholders with information regarding the terms of such agreements. The assertions embodied
in the representations and warranties contained in the Transaction Agreement are qualified by information in confidential disclosure schedules
delivered by the Company to Alkermes in connection with the signing of the Transaction Agreement. Moreover, certain representations and
warranties in the Transaction Agreement were made as of a specified date, may be subject to a contractual standard of materiality different
from what might be viewed as material to shareholders, or may have been used for the purpose of allocating risk between the parties to
the Transaction Agreement. Accordingly, the representations and warranties in the Transaction Agreement should not be relied on by any
persons as characterizations of the actual state of facts and circumstances of the Company at the time they were made and investors should
consider the information in the Transaction Agreement in conjunction with the entirety of the factual disclosure about the Company in
the Company’s public reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Information
concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may change after the date of the Transaction Agreement, which subsequent
information may or may not be fully reflected in the Company’s public disclosures.
Contingent Value Rights Agreement
At or prior to the Effective Time, Alkermes and
a duly qualified rights agent (the “Rights Agent”) will enter into a Contingent Value Rights Agreement, substantially in the
form attached as Exhibit A to the Transaction Agreement (the “CVR Agreement”). Pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, Alkermes
will issue CVRs entitling the holder to receive the Milestone Payment (as defined in the CVR Agreement) upon the achievement of the Milestone
(as defined in the CVR Agreement) to the record holders of (i) outstanding the Company Shares, (ii) the Company Cash-Out Options and (iii)
the Company RSU Awards.
Each CVR represents a non-transferrable contractual
right to receive $1.50 per Company Share, settleable in cash, with settlement conditioned upon the occurrence of each of: (1) approval
by the United States Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) of an application submitted to the FDA for the commercial marketing
and sale of the CVR Product (in each case, as defined in the CVR Agreement) in the United States for the Indication (in each case, as
defined in the CVR Agreement); provided, that, such approval shall be deemed achieved upon receipt of written notice from the FDA that
the CVR Product has been approved for the Indication (as defined in the CVR Agreement) in the United States and which is not blocked by
any third party orphan-drug exclusivity, regardless of whether any risk evaluation and mitigation strategies, or other conditions are
imposed by the FDA, provided that such approval permits commercial marketing and sale of the CVR Product for the Indication in the United
States; and (2) the dismissal of the Claims (as defined in the CVR Agreement) with prejudice by the United States District Court for the
District of Delaware pursuant to the Settlement and License Agreement, by and between Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Ireland Limited, on the one hand, and Avadel CNS Pharmaceuticals and Flamel Ireland Limited, on the other hand, dated October 21, 2025
(together (1) and (2), the “Milestone”) prior to December 31, 2028 (the “Milestone Expiration”). If the FDA has
issued one or more orders that impose a clinical hold on the investigation of the CVR Product for the Indication, the Milestone shall
not be deemed achieved unless or until no such order is in effect.
The CVR will be subject to the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth in the CVR Agreement.
The CVRs are contractual rights only and not transferable
except under certain limited circumstances, will not be certificated or evidenced by any instrument and will not be registered with the
SEC or listed for trading. The CVRs will not have any voting or dividend rights and will not represent any equity or ownership interest
in Alkermes, the Company or any of their affiliates.
Any potential payout of the CVR is subject to
various risks and uncertainties related to the development of LUMRYZ and FDA clearances as more fully described in the Company’s
periodic reports filed with the SEC.
There can be no assurance that the Milestone will
be achieved prior to expiration or termination of the CVR Agreement, or that any payment will be required with respect to the Milestone
and CVR.
The foregoing description of the CVR Agreement
does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the form of the CVR Agreement,
a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A to the Transaction Agreement filed as Exhibit 2.1 herewith, and is incorporated into this Item
1.01 by reference.
| Item 7.01. |
Regulation FD Disclosure. |
On October 22, 2025, the Company and Alkermes
issued the Rule 2.7 Announcement pursuant to Rule 2.7 of the Irish Takeover Rules. The full text of the Rule 2.7 Announcement is attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.
The information in this Item 7.01, and in Exhibit
99.1 incorporated herein 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, nor incorporated by reference in any
filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference
in such a filing.
(d) Exhibits
| 2.1* |
|
Transaction Agreement, dated as of October 22, 2025, by and between Alkermes plc and the Avadel Pharmaceuticals plc.* |
| 2.2 |
|
Appendix III to the Rule 2.7 Announcement, dated as of October 22, 2025 (Conditions Appendix). |
| 99.1 |
|
Rule 2.7 Announcement, dated as of October 22, 2025. |
| 104 |
|
Cover page interactive data file (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
* Certain schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of
Regulation S-K. The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the SEC upon request.
Responsibility Statement Required by the Takeover Rules
The directors of the Company accept responsibility for the information
contained in this report. To the best of their knowledge and belief (having taken all reasonable care to ensure such is the case), the
information contained in this report is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.
No Offer or Solicitation
This Current Report on Form 8-K is for information 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 transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention
of applicable law.
The Acquisition will be implemented by means of a Irish High Court-sanctioned
scheme of arrangement on the terms provided for in the scheme document (or, if the transaction is implemented by way of a takeover offer,
the takeover offer document), which will contain the full terms and conditions of the Acquisition, including details of how the Company’s
shareholders may vote in respect of the acquisition. Any decision in respect of, or other response to, the acquisition, should be made
only on the basis of the information contained in the scheme document (or if the transaction is implemented by way of a takeover offer,
the takeover offer document).
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “anticipate,”
“believe,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “see,” “continue,”
“could,” “can,” “may,” “will,” “likely,” “depend,” “should,”
“would,” “plan,” “predict,” “target,” and similar expressions, and may include references
to assumptions and relate to the Company’s future prospects, developments and business strategies, and the acquisition. Such forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the acquisition involving Alkermes and the Company, the Company’s
current expectations and estimates about the expected effects and anticipated benefits of the acquisition, the date of closing of the
acquisition, including the parties’ ability to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the acquisition and the other conditions
set forth in the Transaction Agreement, and the Company’s business activities and strategies. The Company’s expectations and
beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those contemplated by these
forward-looking statements as a result of uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances, including but not limited to risks and uncertainties
related to: (i) the ability of the parties to consummate the acquisition in a timely manner or at all; (ii) the satisfaction (or waiver)
of conditions to the consummation of the acquisition, including with respect to the approval of the Company shareholders and required
regulatory approvals; (iii) potential delays in consummating the acquisition; (iv) the ability of the Company to timely and successfully
achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisition; (v) the impact of health pandemics on the parties’ respective businesses and
the actions the parties may take in response thereto; (vi) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance or condition that
could give rise to the termination of the Transaction Agreement; (vii) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the acquisition on
the Company’s business relationships, operating results and business generally; (viii) costs related to the acquisition; (ix) and
the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the parties or any of their respective directors or officers related
to the Transaction Agreement or the acquisition. Additional risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ
materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements are included under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere
in the Company’s most recent filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024
and any subsequent reports on Form 10-Q or Form 8-K filed with the SEC from time to time and available at www.sec.gov. These documents
can be accessed on the Company’s website at https://investors.avadel.com/sec-filings. The forward-looking statements set out in
this report are made only as of the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward- looking
statements, except as required by law.
Disclosure Requirements of the Takeover Rules
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Irish Takeover Rules, any person who is “interested”
(directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of “relevant securities” of the Company must make an “opening position
disclosure” by no later than 3.30 p.m. (US Eastern Time) on the tenth “business day” following the commencement of the
“offer period”. An “opening position disclosure” must contain, among other things, the details specified in Rule
8.6(a) of the Irish Takeover Rules, including details of the person’s “interests” and “short positions”
in any “relevant securities” of the Company. Relevant persons who deal in any “relevant securities” of the Company
prior to the deadline for making an “opening position disclosure” must instead make a dealing disclosure as described below.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Irish Takeover Rules, any person who is, or
becomes, “interested” (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of “relevant securities” of the Company
must disclose all “dealings” in such “relevant securities” during the “offer period”. The disclosure
of a “dealing” in “relevant securities” by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than
3.30 p.m. (US Eastern Time) on the business day following the date of the relevant “dealing”. A dealing disclosure must contain
the details specified in Rule 8.6(b) of the Irish Takeover Rules, including details of the dealing concerned and of the person’s
“interests” and “short positions” in any “relevant securities” of the Company.
All “dealings” in “relevant securities” of
the Company by Alkermes, or by any party acting in concert with Alkermes, must also be disclosed by no later than 12 noon (US Eastern
Time) on the “business day” following the date of the relevant “dealing”.
If two or more persons co-operate on the basis of an agreement, either
express or tacit, either oral or written, to acquire an “interest” in “relevant securities” of the Company, they
will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3(a) and (b) of the Irish Takeover Rules.
A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose “relevant
securities” dealing disclosures should be made, can be found on the Irish Takeover Panel’s website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie.
“Interests in securities” arise, in summary, when a person
has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated
as having an “interest” by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or
derivative referenced to, securities.
Terms in quotation marks in this section are defined in the Irish Takeover
Rules, which can also be found on the Irish Takeover Panel's website.
If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose
a “dealing” under Rule 8, please consult the Irish Takeover Panel’s website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie or contact
the Irish Takeover Panel on telephone number +353 1 678 9020.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Date: October 22, 2025 |
AVADEL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC |
| |
|
|
| |
By: |
/s/ Jerad G. Seurer |
| |
|
Name: |
Jerad G. Seurer |
| |
|
Title: |
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary |
