Form 4 Confirms Regulus-Novartis Deal Closure; Shareholders Paid $7 + CVR
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Form 4 Overview: The filing documents that Regulus Therapeutics Inc. (RGLS) Chief Executive Officer and Director Joseph P. Hagan disposed of 100 % of his equity holdings—both common shares and derivative securities—on 25 June 2025. The disposition was automatic and stems from the previously-announced $7.00-per-share cash tender offer and merger between Regulus and Novartis AG, executed through wholly-owned subsidiary Redwood Merger Sub Inc.
Cash & CVR consideration: • Every Regulus common share became entitled to $7.00 in cash plus one contingent value right (CVR). • Each performance stock unit (280,750 PSUs) was converted to the same economics.
• All in-the-money stock options (exercise price below $7.00) were cancelled in exchange for a cash payment equal to intrinsic value plus one CVR per underlying share.
• All out-of-the-money options (exercise ≥ $7.00 but < $14.00) were cancelled for CVRs only, giving potential future cash of up to $14.00 less exercise price upon milestone achievement.
• Outstanding warrants were settled for $2.95 per warrant, the Black-Scholes value defined in the merger agreement.
Securities affected: 571,558 common shares, 5,388,976 option shares (multiple strike prices from $1.00 to $13.10), and 2,976 warrant shares were all reduced to zero beneficial ownership. Following the closing, Hagan holds no direct or indirect equity in Regulus, which is now a wholly owned Novartis subsidiary.
Investor takeaway: The filing is procedural but confirms the legal closing of the Novartis-Regulus merger and the extinguishment of public equity. Shareholders can expect prompt cash settlement and potential upside from the CVR tied to a specified milestone.
Positive
- Merger consummation provides definitive $7.00 cash exit for shareholders, removing deal-completion uncertainty and crystallising value.
- Contingent Value Right offers additional upside of up to $7.00 per share if the specified milestone is met, retaining growth optionality without further capital at risk.
Negative
- All outstanding stock options and PSUs cancelled; insiders, including the CEO, now have no ongoing equity incentive in the legacy entity.
- Future value hinges entirely on milestone success; failure to achieve the milestone renders CVRs and converted options/warrants worthless.
Insights
TL;DR – Filing confirms Regulus–Novartis deal closed; all equity converted to $7 cash plus CVR, eliminating public float.
The Form 4 is a mechanical insider filing but carries material confirmation of transaction completion. It details the exact treatment of every equity instrument under the April 29 2025 Merger Agreement. Cash-plus-CVR consideration crystallises value for common holders and in-the-money options, while out-of-the-money options convert solely into CVRs, preserving optional upside without additional cash cost to Novartis. Settlement of warrants at their Black-Scholes value removes residual dilution. With Hagan’s beneficial ownership dropping to zero, governance shifts entirely to Novartis, signalling full integration. For arbitrageurs, the document eliminates closing-risk concerns; focus now turns to the milestone that would trigger the additional $7.00 CVR payment.
TL;DR – Liquidity event finalised; cash received, future CVR optionality remains the only upside lever.
From a portfolio perspective, the filing locks in a 100 % exit at $7.00—a premium already reflected when the tender was announced. Remaining exposure is binary: the CVR pays $7.00 upon milestone achievement, otherwise zero. Investors should mark the equity position as realised and monitor CVR probability. No residual equity float means the RGLS ticker will delist, shifting valuation tracking solely to the unlisted CVR instrument.