[8-K] 89bio, Inc. Reports Material Event
89bio, Inc. entered into a merger agreement with Roche Holdings and a merger subsidiary under which Roche will commence a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares for $14.50 in cash per share plus one non-tradeable CVR per share that can pay up to an aggregate $6.00 per share if specified clinical and regulatory milestones are met. The tender offer initially will remain open for 20 business days and may be extended in limited increments, and at the Effective Time each outstanding share (other than excluded shares) will convert into the right to receive the tender consideration.
The CVRs are non-transferable except for limited exceptions and tie payments to three milestone outside dates: Milestone 1 by March 31, 2030, Milestone 2 by December 31, 2033, and Milestone 3 by December 31, 2035. Supporting stockholders representing approximately 13.4% of shares agreed to tender and vote in favor. The agreement includes a $79.9 million termination fee (and a reciprocal reverse fee) in specified circumstances and is subject to HSR and other regulatory clearances.
- Immediate cash consideration of $14.50 per share provides certain liquidity to shareholders
- Contingent Value Rights (CVRs) offer up to $6.00 per share tied to defined milestones, providing upside for future success
- Supporting stockholders holding ~13.4% of shares have committed to tender and vote in favor, reducing execution risk
- Agreement includes reciprocal termination fees ($79.9M), signaling mutual commitment to closing
- CVR payments are contingent and non-transferable, so holders may receive no additional payments if milestones are not met
- Transaction requires regulatory clearances (HSR and others), creating potential delay or risk to closing
- Substantial termination fee ($79.9M) may be payable by the Company in certain circumstances, a material cash exposure
Insights
TL;DR: Roche offers $14.50 cash plus a CVR up to $6.00 per share; transaction is material and creates contingent upside tied to milestones.
The structure combines immediate cash liquidity for shareholders with contingent upside via CVRs that depend on multi-year milestone attainment, concentrating value on regulatory/clinical success. The cash component provides certainty while the CVR shifts risk to milestone achievement through 2035. Supporting holders with ~13.4% ownership reduce deal execution risk. Material deal economics and the presence of a substantial termination fee indicate strong deal commitment; successful closing will remove public float and change capital structure.
TL;DR: Deal is structured as a tender offer followed by a short-form merger with matching termination fees and limited shop protections.
The agreement contemplates a 20-business-day initial tender offer with extensions capped absent company consent, Section 251(h) short-form merger mechanics, matching $79.9M termination and reverse fees, and customary no-shop provisions with fiduciary out. Regulatory (HSR and other clearances) and milestone-related risks are central. Supporting Stockholder commitments (13.4%) and non-transferable CVRs tighten post-closing administration but limit secondary-market liquidity for contingent claims.