Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (VRX) Agrees to Acquire Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation (MRX)

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE:VRX) and Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation (NYSE:MRX) announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Valeant will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Medicis for $44.00 per share in cash. The transaction, which values Medicis’ common stock at approximately $2.6 billion, was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. The $44.00 per share price represents a 39% premium to Medicis’ closing share price on Friday, August 31, 2012, the last trading day prior to announcement, and a 31% premium to the three-month average trading price. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2013.

• Combination Creates a Global Leader in Dermatology
• Transaction Values Medicis at Approximately $2.6 Billion
• At Least $225 Million Run Rate in Annual Cost Synergies Expected to be Achieved within 6 Months of Closing

Medicis’ portfolio includes leading prescription brands SOLODYN^®, RESTYLANE^®, PERLANE^®, ZIANA^®, DYSPORT^® and ZYCLARA^®. The pro forma net revenue for the combined company’s dermatology and aesthetics businesses for 2012 is expected to exceed $1.7 billion within the United States.

Valeant’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, J. Michael Pearson, said, “The acquisition of Medicis represents a significant next step in our journey to become the leader in dermatology by strengthening Valeant’s presence in acne, actinic keratosis, aesthetic injectables and anti-virals, among others. Medicis’ highly complementary portfolio of leading branded products and promising pipeline is a solid strategic fit, and we look forward to leveraging Medicis’ well known and respected name in dermatology to drive long-term growth.”

Jonah Shacknai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medicis, said, “Our Board of Directors believes this compelling all-cash transaction demonstrates the value our employees have created and the strength of our brand in the specialty pharmaceutical market. We look forward to combining our portfolio of products with Valeant, and we are confident that the combined portfolio under the Medicis name will be well positioned to capitalize on meaningful opportunities in the growing dermatology and aesthetics markets.”

About Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. – VRX

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (VRX) is a multinational specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of pharmaceutical products primarily in the areas of dermatology, neurology and branded generics.

About Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation – MRX

Medicis (MRX) is the leading independent specialty pharmaceutical company in the United States focusing primarily on the treatment of dermatological and aesthetic conditions. MRX is dedicated to helping patients attain a healthy and youthful appearance and self-image. MRX has leading branded prescription products in a number of therapeutic and aesthetic categories.

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Post Written By: Ed Liston Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications. He is widely quoted in various financial publications on the Internet. When Ed is not writing about stocks, investing in stocks, talking about stocks, or otherwise doing something stock related, he likes to go sailing and fishing in his yacht.