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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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SCHEDULE 14D-9
SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 14(D)(4) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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INTERNATIONAL MUREX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
(Name of Subject Company)
INTERNATIONAL MUREX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
(Name of Person Filing Statement)
COMMON SHARES, WITHOUT PAR VALUE
(Title of Class of Securities)
46005H100
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
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C. ROBERT CUSICK
PRESIDENT
AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
INTERNATIONAL MUREX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
2255 B. QUEEN STREET EAST, SUITE 828
TORONTO, ONTARIO M4E 1G3
(519) 836-8016
(Name, address and telephone number of person authorized to receive
notice and communications on behalf of the person filing statement)
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COPIES TO:
Bruce A. Rich, Esq.
Reid & Priest, LLP
40 West 57th Street
New York, New York 10019
(212) 603-2000
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ITEM 1. SECURITY AND SUBJECT COMPANY
The name of the subject company is International Murex Technologies
Corporation, a British Columbia corporation (the "Company"). The address of the
principal executive offices of the Company is 2255 B. Queen Street East, Suite
828, Toronto, Ontario M4E 1G3. The title of the class of equity securities to
which this Statement relates is common shares, without par value (the "Shares").
ITEM 2. TENDER OFFER OF THE BIDDER
This Statement relates to a tender offer by AAC Acquisition Ltd., a British
Columbia corporation ("Purchaser"), which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary
of Abbott Laboratories, an Illinois corporation ("Parent"), to purchase all of
the outstanding Shares for a net cash amount of U.S. $13.00 per Share (the "Per
Share Amount") in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions
provided for in the Offer to Purchase, dated March 20, 1998 (the "Offer to
Purchase") and the related Letter of Transmittal (which together, with the Offer
to Purchase and any amendments or supplements thereto constitute the "Offer").
The Offer is disclosed in the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1, dated
March 20, 1998 (the "Schedule 14D-1"), as filed by Purchaser and Parent with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The Schedule 14D-1 states
that the address of the principal executive offices of Purchaser and Parent is
100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064.
The Offer is being made pursuant to an Acquisition Agreement, dated as of
March 13, 1998, among Parent, Purchaser and the Company (the "Acquisition
Agreement"). The Acquisition Agreement provides for the making of the Offer and
the terms and conditions thereof (the "Acquisition"). The Acquisition Agreement
further provides that if the Offer is consummated, then upon the terms and
subject to the conditions contained therein. Parent and Purchaser will complete
the acquisition of the Company in accordance with the Company Act of British
Columbia (the "BC Act"), through either (1) a compulsory acquisition (a
"Compulsory Acquisition") if Purchaser purchases at least 90% of the Shares, or
(2) if the number of Shares does not permit a Compulsory Acquisition, then
Purchaser will be amalgamated with the Company (the "Amalgamation"), (the
Compulsory Acquisition or the Amalgamation being the "Completion of the
Acquisition"). In the Completion of the Acquisition, the holders of Shares
(other than Purchaser, Parent and their affiliates) as of the effective time
thereof (the "Effective Time") will receive an amount in cash equal to the Per
Share Amount, without interest thereon.
All dollar amounts in this Schedule are in United States dollars.
ITEM 3. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND
(a) The name and business address of the Company, which is the person filing
this Statement, are set forth in Item 1 above, which information is incorporated
herein by reference.
(b)(1) Certain contracts, agreements, arrangements and understandings
between the Company or its affiliates and certain of its executive officers,
directors, or affiliates are described in the Company's Information Statement
pursuant to Section 14(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"), and Rule 14f-1 thereunder (the "Information Statement")
dated the date hereof under "Information Regarding the Company," "Board of
Directors and the Parent Designees," "Meetings, Committees and Other
Information," "Compensation of Executive Officers," "Other Transactions and
Certain Relationships" and "Compensation Committee Report on Executive
Compensation". The Information Statement is attached hereto as Schedule I, filed
as Exhibit 1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference. In addition, certain
contracts, agreements, arrangements and understandings relating to the Company
and/or the Company's directors and executive officers are contained in the
Acquisition Agreement and are described below under "The Acquisition Agreement."
The following are summaries of certain provisions of the Acquisition
Agreement and the Shareholder Agreements (defined below). Such summaries do not
purport to be complete and are qualified in
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their entirety by reference to the full text of the Acquisition Agreement, which
is filed as Exhibit 2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference, and the
full text of the form of Shareholder Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 3
hereto, and is incorporated herein by reference.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS--CHANGE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS. The Company and
certain executive officers are parties to employment agreements, which are
described in the Information Statement.
In September 1995, the Company entered into change of control provisions
(the "Provisions") for ten executive officers and certain key managers, and in
November 1997, amended certain provisions relating to its executives who are
United States taxpayers. The Provisions guarantee salary for 299% of the five
year annual average of all compensation for F. Michael P. Warren, Chairman of
the Board, and C. Robert Cusick, President and Chief Executive Officer, and
their other benefits (medical, vacation, disability, etc.) for a period of 24
months. For the other executive officers and key managers, the Provisions
guarantee base salary and other benefits for 24 months. In addition, to the
extent that the change of control payment amount to a recipient who is a U.S.
taxpayer would exceed the maximum permitted amount to avoid an excise tax to the
recipient under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the
payment amount would be increased to cover the excise tax liability. Provisions
have been incorporated into existing employment agreements and continue with the
term of each agreement. The total amount payable to all participants is to be
set aside in trust to be paid upon a triggering event pursuant to the terms of
the Provisions.
(b)(2) SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENTS. As a condition to Parent's willingness to
enter into the Acquisition Agreement, three principal shareholders and two
executive officers (the "Shareholders") of the Company entered into Shareholder
Agreements (each, a "Shareholder Agreement") with Parent pursuant to which each
Shareholder agreed to tender, subject to certain conditions, all of the Shares
held by such Shareholder pursuant to the terms of the Offer, regardless of
whether a higher offer for the Shares had been made. In addition, each
Shareholder granted the Parent an option (the "Option") to purchase his or its
Shares at the Per Share Amount until the Acquisition Agreement is terminated,
except that if the Offer is terminated by reason of (i) the Company breaching
any of its representations, warranties or covenants in the Acquisition
Agreement, (ii) the Company giving Parent Notice of a Superior Proposal (as
defined in the Acquisition Agreement) or (iii) the Company's Board of Directors
withdrawing or modifying its approval of the Acquisition Agreement or the
Acquisition or entering into an agreement providing for an Acquisition Proposal,
or resolving to do any of the foregoing (an "Applicable Termination"), Parent
may exercise the Option on the later of (A) five business days following an
Applicable Termination or (B) two business days following receipt of the
applicable governmental consents or approvals to such Option exercise but not
later than August 31, 1998. The aggregate number of Shares to be tendered under
the Shareholder Agreements represents approximately 33.9% of the Shares
outstanding on the date of the Acquisition Agreement.
In the event the Acquisition Agreement is terminated and Parent purchases
any Shares pursuant to the Option in any Shareholder Agreement, (i) Parent and
Purchaser shall for the six months following such purchase use their reasonable
best efforts to consummate the Amalgamation on essentially the proposed terms in
the Acquisition Agreement and (ii) if the Amalgamation is not effected, for a
period of three years following the purchase of Shares neither Parent nor any of
its affiliates shall acquire beneficial ownership of any Shares at less than the
Per Share Amount, excluding the acquisition of less than 2% of the outstanding
Shares by pension plans or similar fiduciary entities of Parent.
In addition, two other shareholders who own an aggregate of approximately
11.5% of the outstanding Shares have indicated to the Company in writing their
intention to tender their Shares in the Offer.
In July 1996, a subsidiary of the Company filed a patent infringement action
against Parent in the United States District Court, Northern District of
Georgia, seeking injunctive relief against Parent and damages for infringement
by Parent of a patent held by the subsidiary (the "Abbott Litigation"). The
Acquisition Agreement requires that (i) the parties cease to actively prosecute
the Abbott Litigation and
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seek a stay of that litigation, and (ii) upon consummation of the Offer, the
Abbott Litigation would be dismissed with prejudice. Counsel to the Company's
subsidiary in the Abbott Litigation sought fees in the amount of $5 million in
accordance with its retainer agreement in addition to amounts previously paid.
It was determined that the Company would pay $3.1 million and Edward J.
DeBartolo, Jr. and the Estate of Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr., the beneficial owners
of approximately 27.3% of the Shares, would jointly and severally pay $1.9
million of such additional fees.
STOCKHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT. The Company's Board of Directors
resolved, among other things, to waive application of the Company's Stockholder
Protection Rights Agreement with The Bank of New York, dated August 31, 1995
(the "Rights Agreement"), to the Offer and its related transactions. In
addition, the Company has amended the Rights Agreement to specifically exclude
(i) Parent and Purchaser from the definition of "Acquiring Person" and (ii) the
Acquisition Agreement and the Shareholder Agreements and the consummation of
transactions contemplated or permitted therein from falling within the scope of
the Rights Agreement.
THE ACQUISITION AGREEMENT.
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth
in the Acquisition Agreement.
THE OFFER. The Acquisition Agreement provides for the making of the Offer
by Purchaser. The obligation of Purchaser to accept for payment and pay for
Shares validly tendered on or prior to the expiration date and not withdrawn are
subject only to the Minimum Condition and the other conditions set forth in
Annex I to the Acquisition Agreement. The Offer will be open for a period of 20
business days, terminating on April 16, 1998. Assuming the number of Shares
tendered during the aforementioned period is not less than 75% of the
outstanding Shares (on a fully diluted basis excluding outstanding options
subject to binding agreements to cancel, see "Stock Options" below) (the
"Minimum Condition"), Purchaser may extend the Offer to purchase additional
Shares up to ten business days following the date on which all conditions to the
Offer have first been satisfied or waived, provided that Purchaser shall not be
entitled to assert conditions (b), (c), (d) or (e) to the Offer, as described
below in "Conditions to the Offer." The offering period also would be extended
after delivery by the Company of a Notice of Superior Proposal or during the
cure period of a notice of a breach by the Company of any of its
representations, warranties or covenants in the Acquisition Agreement which may
give rise to a termination of the Offer, described below in "Termination."
The Acquisition Agreement further provides that Purchaser may waive, in
whole or in part, any of the conditions to the Offer described below or increase
the Per Share Amount provided that (i) Purchaser may reduce the Minimum
Condition so long as it purchases at least a majority of the Shares outstanding
(on a fully diluted basis excluding outstanding options subject to binding
agreements to cancel) and (ii) subject to the prior written approval of the
Company (A) decrease the Per Share Amount, (B) change the form of consideration
payable in the Offer, (C) reduce the number of Shares to be purchased to less
than a majority of outstanding Shares, (D) impose additional conditions on the
Offer or (E) otherwise amend the terms of the Offer in any way which would be
materially adverse to holders of Shares.
CONDITIONS TO THE OFFER. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Offer,
Purchaser shall not be required to accept for payment any Shares tendered
pursuant to the Offer, and, subject to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement,
may terminate the Offer if (i) by the expiration date of the Offer, the Minimum
Condition shall not have been satisfied, (ii) any applicable waiting periods
under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Anti-Trust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the
"HSR Act"), the Canadian Competition Act, the Investment Canada Act, any
applicable requirement of the United Kingdom Fair Trading Act and the regulation
of monopolies and competition in Germany have expired without the required
consent or approval, or (iii) any other required consent or approval shall not
have been obtained, provided that in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) herein,
Purchaser cannot terminate the Offer prior to August 31, 1998 if
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such nonsatisfaction is curable, and also if any of the following conditions
occurs or Purchaser makes a good faith determination that any of the conditions
has occurred:
(a) There shall be instituted or pending any action or proceeding by a
government authority seeking to (1) make illegal or otherwise directly restrain
or prohibit the making of the Offer, the acquisition of any Shares by Purchaser
pursuant to the Offer or the Completion of the Acquisition, (2) restrain or
prohibit Parent's or Purchaser's ownership or operation (or that of their
respective subsidiaries) of all or any material portion of the business or
assets of the Company and its subsidiaries or, following consummation of the
Offer or the Completion of the Acquisition, and as a result thereof, of the
Parent or its subsidiaries or to compel Parent or any of its subsidiaries to
dispose of or hold all or any material portion of the business or assets of the
Company and its subsidiaries, (3) impose material limitations on the ability of
Purchaser, Parent or any of its subsidiaries effectively to acquire, hold or
exercise full rights of ownership of the Shares, including, without limitation,
the right to vote any Shares to be acquired pursuant to the Offer on all matters
properly presented to the Company's shareholders, or (4) require divestiture by
Parent or Purchaser of any Shares to be acquired pursuant to the Offer; or
(b) there shall have occurred (1) any general suspension of trading in, or
limitation on prices for, securities on any securities exchange or in the
over-the-counter market in the United States, (2) a declaration of a banking
moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United
States, (3) any limitation by any United States governmental authority or agency
on the extension of credit by banks or other financial institutions or (4) in
the case of any of the foregoing existing at the time of the commencement of the
Offer, a material acceleration or worsening thereof; or
(c) there shall have occurred, or Purchaser shall have become aware of any
event or condition that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement) on the Company; or
(d) the Company shall have breached or failed to perform in any material
respect any of its covenants or agreements under the Acquisition Agreement and,
if curable, shall have failed to cure such breach within ten business days of
receipt of notice of such breach or failure to perform; or
(e) any of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in
the Acquisition Agreement that are qualified as to materiality shall not be true
and correct or any of the representations and warranties of the Company set
forth in the Acquisition Agreement that are not so qualified shall not be true
and correct in any material respect, in each case if such representations and
warranties were made at the time of such determination (or, in the case of any
representation and warranty made as of a specified date, as of such date) and if
curable, shall have failed to cure such failure to be true and correct within
ten business days of receipt of notice such failure to be true and correct; or
(f) the Acquisition Agreement shall have terminated in accordance with its
terms; or
(g) the Board of Directors of the Company shall have withdrawn or modified
in a manner adverse to Purchaser its approval or recommendation of the Offer,
the Acquisition Agreement or the Completion of the Acquisition or shall have
recommended, or the Company shall have entered into an agreement providing for,
a Superior Proposal, or the Board shall have resolved to do any of the
foregoing; or
(h) the Company shall have failed to adopt the amendment to its Rights
Agreement or thereafter shall have amended or modified its Rights Agreement in a
manner that would nullify or conflict with such amendment to its Rights
Agreement or adopted a new share rights plan; which, in the reasonable judgment
of Purchaser in any such case, and regardless of the circumstances (including
any action or omission by Purchaser) giving rise to any such condition makes it
inadvisable to proceed with such acceptance for payment of the Shares.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Purchaser and may be
asserted by Purchaser regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such
condition or may be waived by Purchaser in
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whole or in part at any time or from time to time in its sole discretion. The
failure by Purchaser at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall
not be deemed a waiver of any such right, the waiver of any such right with
respect to particular facts or circumstances shall not be deemed a waiver with
respect to any other facts or circumstances, and each such right shall be deemed
an ongoing right that may be asserted at any time or from time to time.
DESIGNATION OF DIRECTORS. The Acquisition Agreement provides that promptly
upon the purchase of Shares by Purchaser pursuant to the Offer and from time to
time thereafter, so long as Parent and Purchaser are not in material breach of
their respective obligations thereunder, Purchaser shall be entitled to
designate up to such number of directors, rounded up to the next whole number,
on the Company's Board of Directors that equals the product of (i) the total
number of directors on the Board (giving effect to the election of any
additional directors pursuant to such designations) and (ii) the percentage that
the number of Shares owned by Purchaser and its affiliates (including any Shares
purchased pursuant to the Offer) bears to the total number of outstanding
Shares. The Company shall, upon the request by Purchaser, promptly either
increase the size of the Board (and shall, if necessary, amend the Company's
Memorandum to permit such an increase to the extent permitted by applicable law)
or use its reasonable best efforts to secure the resignation of such number of
directors as is necessary to enable Purchaser's designees to be elected to the
Board and shall cause Purchaser's designees to be so elected, and to each Board
committee. However, at all times prior to the Completion of the Acquisition at
least two persons who are directors of the Company (or who are designated by
directors who are directors of the Company as of the date of the Acquisition
Agreement (the "Continuing Directors")) shall remain directors of the Company.
Messrs. Warren and Cusick have been selected as the initial Continuing
Directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, until the consummation of the Offer,
the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that all of the
members of the Board and committees thereof as of the date of the Acquisition
Agreement, who are not employees of the Company, shall remain members of the
Board and such committees.
Following the election or appointment of Purchaser's designees and prior to
the Effective Time, any amendment or modification of the Acquisition Agreement
or the Company's Articles or Memorandum, any termination of the Acquisition
Agreement by the Company, any extension by the Company of the time for the
performance of any of the obligations or other acts of Parent or Purchaser or
any waiver of any of the Company's rights thereunder or any other action with
respect to the Acquisition Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby
which may be materially adverse to holders of Shares generally (other than that
of Purchaser) will require the concurrence of a majority of the Continuing
Directors.
Purchaser's obligations to appoint designees to the Company's Board of
Directors is subject to Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14f-1
promulgated thereunder. Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, the Company is to
promptly take all actions required pursuant to Section 14(f) and Rule 14f-1 in
order to fulfill the foregoing obligations. See the Information Statement which
is part of this Schedule.
THE COMPLETION OF THE ACQUISITION
The Acquisition Agreement provides that if after purchasing Shares in the
Offer (or through open market purchases for 30 days or less after the Offer),
Purchaser owns a sufficient number of Shares to effectuate a Compulsory
Acquisition, it shall as promptly as practicable thereafter effect the
Compulsory Acquisition.
In the event Purchaser does not own enough Shares to effectuate a Compulsory
Acquisition, Purchaser shall seek to effectuate an Amalgamation as soon as
practicable. At the meeting of shareholders or consents in lieu of a meeting for
the Amalgamation, Purchaser shall be present and vote all Shares beneficially
owned by it and Parent in favor of the Amalgamation or give its consent in lieu
of a meeting if
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a meeting of shareholders is not held. Under the BC Act, the Amalgamation must
be approved by 75% of the Shares present and voting, and thereafter be approved
by the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
Holders of Shares who give exercise the rights granted under the BC Act and
who do not tender their Shares pursuant to the Offer may dissent to the
Amalgamation.
RECOMMENDATION. The Company represents in the Acquisition Agreement that
its Board of Directors has (i) determined that the Acquisition Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the Acquisition and the Offer, are
fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and the holders of the
Shares, (ii) duly authorized and approved the Acquisition Agreement and approved
the Acquisition and the other transactions contemplated thereby (including, but
not limited to, the Offer), and (iii) resolved to recommend that the
shareholders of the Company accept the Offer, tender their Shares pursuant to
the Offer, and to the extent required by applicable law, authorize and approve
the Acquisition Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including
the Amalgamation. The Company has agreed to file with the Commission a
Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (the "Schedule 14D-9")
containing the aforementioned recommendations and to mail such Schedule 14D-9 to
the shareholders of the Company contemporaneous with the commencement of the
Offer.
STOCK OPTIONS. Subject to the Company and Parent making the election
described below, the Company shall, prior to completion of the Offer use its
best efforts (i) to amend each outstanding stock option or any Company stock
option plans to permit immediate vesting and exercise contingent upon
consummation of the Offer and (ii) to cause the holders to exercise their
options and tender their Shares in the Offer. Instead of taking the actions
described in the preceding sentence, Parent and the Company may agree in
exchange for an agreement by the holder to cancel his option, for the Company to
make a cash payment to such holder in an amount equal to (i) the excess, if, any
of (A) the Per Share Amount over (B) the exercise price per share of Common
Stock subject to such stock option, multiplied by (ii) the number of Shares for
which such stock option shall not theretofore have been exercised.
Parent and the Company shall take whatever actions are required such that,
as of the Effective Time, any options not exercised or cancelled pursuant to the
preceding paragraph are converted into a fully invested and exercisable right to
acquire common stock of Parent in a manner consistent with the requirements
applicable to "issuing or assuming a stock option in a transaction in which
Section 424(a) applies," as that phrase is defined in Section 424(a) of the
Code, provided that such options will not confer on the holders thereof any
rights to acquire securities of the Company. Parent will cooperate in whatever
actions are required for the Company's Board of Directors to implement this
paragraph.
INTERIM OPERATIONS; COVENANTS. The Acquisition Agreement provides that
during the period from the date of the Acquisition Agreement to the time
Purchaser's designees are elected as directors of the Company, the Company and
its subsidiaries will each conduct its operations in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice, and the Company and its subsidiaries
will each use its reasonable best efforts to preserve intact its business
organization, to keep available the services of its officers and employees and
to maintain existing relationships with licensors, licensees,
suppliers,contractors, distributors, customers and others having business
relationships with it. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and
except as otherwise expressly provided in the Acquisition Agreement, prior to
the date Purchaser's designees are elected to the Company's Board of Directors,
neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries may, without the prior written
consent of Purchaser, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or
delayed, engage or agree to engage in an enumerated list of transactions
generally characterized as being outside the ordinary course of business.
Transactions requiring Purchaser's prior approval include actions by the Company
or its subsidiaries to (i) amend its Articles of Association or Memorandum of
Association or increase or propose to increase the number of directors; (ii)
authorize for issuance, issue, sell, deliver or agree to commit to issue, sell
or deliver any stock of any class or any other securities or equity equivalents
(including, without limitation, stock appreciation
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rights), except under the Company's Qualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan
("ESPP"), the issuance of up to 16,816 Shares pursuant to the Company's bonus
plan or as required by option agreements and option plans as in effect as of the
date of the Acquisition Agreement, or amend any of the terms of any such
securities or agreements outstanding as of the date of the Acquisition
Agreement; (iii) split, combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock,
declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash,
stock, or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its capital stock,
or redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any of its securities or any
securities of its subsidiaries; (iv) incur any debt or issue any debt securities
or assume, guarantee or endorse the obligations of any other person, make any
loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person
(other than to wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company), pledge or otherwise
encumber shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
mortgage or pledge any of its assets or create any Lien thereupon other than
Permitted Liens (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement); (v) enter into,
adopt, amend or terminate any bonus, compensation, severance, termination, or
employee benefit arrangement not required by any such plan or arrangement; (vi)
acquire, sell, lease, license, encumber, transfer or dispose of any assets of
the Company and its subsidiaries; (vii) change any of the accounting principles
or practices used by it, except as may be required as a result of a change in
law or in generally accepted accounting principles; (viii) acquire any
corporation, partnership or other business organization or division thereof,
authorize any new capital expenditure not reflected in the Company's capital
budget for amounts in excess of U.S.$200,000 between March 13, 1998 and March
31, 1998 and, thereafter, in excess of the amounts set forth in the monthly
capital budgets to be prepared by the Company and approved by Parent in its
reasonable discretion or settle any litigation; (ix) make any material tax
election or settle or compromise any material tax liability; (x) pay, discharge
or satisfy any claims, liabilities or obligations outside the ordinary course of
business or not in accordance with their terms; (xi) terminate, modify, amend or
waive compliance with any material provision of, any of the Significant
Agreements, or fail to take any action necessary to preserve the material
benefits of any Significant Agreement to the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
(xii) enter into any agreement providing for the acceleration of payment or
performance or other consequence as a result of a change in control of the
Company; (xiii) enter into any agreement providing for any license (other than
trademark or service mark licenses under supply or distribution contracts
entered into in the ordinary course of business), sale, assignment or otherwise
transfer any patent rights or grant any covenant not to sue with respect to any
of its intellectual property; (xiv) enter into any commitments to professionals
outside the ordinary course of business or in excess of the amounts represented
and warranted; (xv) cancel or terminate any material insurance policies (other
than in connection with acquiring substantially equivalent replacement policies)
or reduce the amount of coverage thereunder; or (xvi) agree to take any action
which would violate the covenants.
NO SOLICITATION. The Acquisition Agreement requires that the Company
immediately cease any existing discussions or negotiations with any third
parties with respect to any Acquisition Proposal (as defined below). The Company
shall not, directly or indirectly, through any officer, director, employee,
representative or agent or any of its subsidiaries, (i) solicit, initiate,
continue or encourage any inquiries, proposals or offers that constitute an
inquiry, proposal or offer relating to an amalgamation, merger, consolidation,
business combination, sale of substantial assets, sale of shares of capital
stock (including,without limitation, by way of a tender offer) or similar
transactions involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than the
transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement (any of the foregoing
inquiries or proposals being referred to in the Acquisition Agreement as an
"Acquisition Proposal"), (ii) solicit, initiate, continue or engage in
negotiations or discussions concerning, or provide any non-public information or
data to any person or entity relating to, any Acquisition Proposal, or (iii)
agree to, approve or recommend any Acquisition Proposal; PROVIDED, that the
Company may (A) prior to the purchase by Purchaser of Shares pursuant to the
Offer, furnish non-public information or data to, or enter into discussions or
negotiations with, any person in connection with an unsolicited bona fide
written Acquisition Proposal by such person or recommending an unsolicited bona
fide written Acquisition
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Proposal to the shareholders of the Company, if and only to the extent that (1)
the Company's Board of Directors determine in good faith, based upon the written
advice of their independent financial advisor, that such Acquisition Proposal
would, if consummated, result in a transaction more favorable to the Company's
shareholders from a financial point of view than the transactions contemplated
by the Acquisition Agreement and the Company's Board of Directors determine in
good faith, based upon the written advice of independent legal counsel, that
such action is required for the discharge of their fiduciary duties to
shareholders under applicable law, (2) prior to furnishing such non-public
information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, such person,
the Company receives from such person an executed confidentiality agreement with
terms no less favorable to the Company than those contained in the
Confidentiality Agreement dated February 22, 1998 between Parent and the Company
and (3) prior to furnishing such non-public information to such person, the
Company delivers to Parent a copy of all such information concurrently with its
delivery to the requesting party; or (B) comply with Rule 14e-2 promulgated
under the Exchange Act with regard to an Acquisition Proposal.
If the Company's Board of Directors determine in good faith that any
Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal (as defined below), the
Board shall promptly give written notice, specifying the identity of the other
party and the structure and material terms of such Superior Proposal (a "Notice
of Superior Proposal"), to Parent. The Board of Directors may (subject to the
following sentences of this paragraph and compliance with the termination
provisions of the Acquisition Agreement), to the extent they determine in good
faith based upon written advice of independent legal counsel to be necessary in
order to comply with their fiduciary duties under applicable law, approve or
recommend any such Superior Proposal, approve or authorize the Company's
entering into an agreement with respect to such Superior Proposal, approve the
solicitation of additional takeover or other investment proposals or terminate
the Acquisition Agreement, in each case at any time after the fifth business day
following delivery to Parent of the Notice of Superior Proposal. The Company may
take any of the foregoing actions pursuant to the preceding sentence only if an
Acquisition Proposal that was a Superior Proposal at the time of delivery of a
Notice of Superior Proposal continues to be a Superior Proposal in light of any
improved transaction proposed by Parent prior to the expiration of the five
business day period specified in the preceding sentence. For purposes of the
Acquisition Agreement, a "Superior Proposal" means any bona fide proposal for an
Acquisition Proposal that the Company's Board of Directors determine in their
good faith reasonable judgment based on the written advice of their financial
advisor, to be made by a person with the financial ability to consummate such
proposal and to provide greater aggregate value to the Company and/or the
Company's shareholders than the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition
Agreement or otherwise proposed by Parent as contemplated in this paragraph.
The Company shall notify Parent immediately (and in no event later than 24
hours) after receipt by the Company of any Acquisition Proposal or any request
for non-public information in connection with an Acquisition Proposal or for
access to the properties, books or records of the Company by any person or
entity that informs the Company that it is considering making, or has made, an
Acquisition Proposal. Such notice shall be made orally and in writing and shall
indicate in reasonable detail the identity of the offeror and the terms and
conditions of such proposal, inquiry or contract.
INDEMNIFICATION OF COMPANY OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS; LIABILITY INSURANCE.
For a period not less than six years from the Effective Time, Parent shall
(i) indemnify and hold harmless the directors, officers, employees and agents of
the Company (the "Indemnified Parties") from and against claims, losses or
obligations arising out of events occurring prior to the Effective Time and
relating to their service with the Company except to the extent an Indemnified
Party acted in bad faith or in a manner he did not reasonably believe to be in
or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or with respect to criminal
action, he had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Parent
shall cause the Company or the Amalgamation company ("Amalco"), as the case may
be, to maintain in effect the provisions in its Articles of Association and
Memorandum of Association containing the
9
<PAGE>
provisions with respect to exculpation of director and officer liability and
indemnification set forth therein as of March 13, 1998 to the fullest extent
permitted under applicable law, and which provisions shall not be amended,
repealed or otherwise modified except as required by applicable law that would
enlarge the exculpation or rights of indemnification thereunder.
In the event of any claim made against an Indemnified Party covered above,
unless Parent, the Company or Amalco has elected to defend that claim, Parent,
the Company or Amalco shall advance the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel
selected by that Indemnified Party (which counsel shall be reasonably
satisfactory to Parent and which counsel shall be the same for all Indemnified
Parties unless a conflict of interest between them requires more than one
counsel), upon receipt of a written undertaking by or on behalf of that
Indemnified Party to repay such amounts if it shall ultimately be determined
that Indemnified Party is not entitled to be indemnified as described here.
Parent shall cause Amalco to maintain in effect for six years from the
Effective Time, to the extent available, the coverage provided by the current
directors' and officers' liability insurance policies maintained by the Company
(provided that Amalco may substitute therefor policies of at least the same
coverage containing terms and conditions which are not materially less
favorable) with respect to matters occurring prior to the Effective Time;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Amalco shall not be required to incur any annual premium
in excess of 200% of the last annual aggregate premium paid for all current
directors' and officers' liability insurance policies maintained by the Company,
which premium was not in excess of U.S.$225,000 (the "Current Premium"). Should
such insurance premiums at any time exceed 200% of the Current Premium, then
Amalco shall maintain policies of insurance which, in Amalco's good faith
determination, provide the maximum coverage available at an annual premium equal
to 200% of the Current Premium.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Acquisition Agreement contains various
representations and warranties of the parties thereto, including representations
by the Company as to, among other things, organization and qualification,
capitalization, subsidiaries, authorization, Commission documents, conflicts,
financial statements, undisclosed liabilities, absence of certain changes or
events, tax matters, litigation, ERISA compliance, environmental matters, real
property and leased property, change of control payments, intellectual property,
significant agreements, compliance with laws, insurance coverage, labor
relations, brokers and finders and the opinion of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation ("DLJ"). Parent and Purchaser have represented as to,
among other things, organization and power, authorization, conflicts, consents
and approvals, financing of the Offer, and filing matters.
TERMINATION. The Acquisition Agreement may be terminated and the Offer and
the Completion of the Acquisition may be abandoned, notwithstanding approval
thereof by the shareholders of the Company:
(a) at any time prior to the consummation of the Offer by mutual written
consent of Parent, Purchaser and the Company; or
(b) at any time prior to the Effective Time by Parent or the Company of any
court of competent jurisdiction or other governmental body, shall have issued a
final, non-appealable order, decree or ruling or taken any other action
restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Offer or the Completion of
the Acquisition; or
(c) by Parent or the Company at any time on or after August 31, 1998 if
Purchaser shall not have purchased any Shares pursuant to the Offer, provided,
that the right to terminate under this clause shall not be available to any
party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under the Acquisition Agreement
has been the cause or resulted in such failure to purchase; or
(d) by Parent prior to the purchase by Purchaser of Shares pursuant to the
Offer, if (i) there shall have been a breach of any representation or warranty
of the Company contained therein which would reasonably be expected to
materially and adversely affect the expected benefits for Parent of the
10
<PAGE>
transactions contemplated thereunder or prevent the consummation of the Offer or
the Completion of the Acquisition or (ii) there shall have been a breach of any
covenant or agreement of the Company contained therein which would reasonably be
expected to materially and adversely affect the expected benefits for Parent of
the transactions contemplated thereunder or prevent the consummation of the
Offer or the Completion of the Acquisition and which, if curable, shall not have
been cured prior to ten business days following notice of such breach; or
(e) prior to the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer and no earlier
than five business days after the receipt by Parent of a Notice of Superior
Proposal, if the Superior Proposal described in such Notice of Superior Proposal
continues to be a Superior Proposal in light of any transaction proposed by
Parent prior to the expiration of the fifth business day after the receipt by
Parent of such Notice of Superior Proposal, by the Company if the Company's
Board of Directors determine in good faith, based upon the written advice of
their independent financial advisor, that such Superior Proposal would, if
consummated, result in a transaction more favorable to the Company's
shareholders from a financial point of view than the transactions contemplated
by the Acquisition Agreement and the Company's Board of Directors determine in
good faith, based upon the written advice of independent legal counsel, that
such action is required for the discharge of their fiduciary duties to
shareholders under applicable law; or
(f) at any time prior to the consummation of the Offer by Parent if the
Company's Board of Directors shall have withdrawn or modified in a manner
adverse to Parent or Purchaser their approval of the Offer, the Acquisition
Agreement, the Completion of the Acquisition, their recommendation that the
Company's shareholders accept the Offer or the Company shall have entered into
an agreement providing for an Acquisition Proposal or the Board of Directors
shall have resolved to do any of the foregoing; or
(g) by the Company prior to the purchase by Purchaser of Shares pursuant to
the Offer, if (i) there shall have been a breach of any representation or
warranty of Parent or Purchaser contained in the Acquisition Agreement which
would reasonably be expected to materially or adversely affect the expected
benefits for the Company's shareholders of the transactions contemplated
thereunder or prevent the consummation of the Offer or the Completion of the
Acquisition or (ii) there shall have been a breach of any covenant or agreement
of Parent or Purchaser contained in the Acquisition Agreement which would
reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the expected benefits
for the Company's shareholders of the transactions contemplated thereunder or
prevent the consummation of the Offer or the Completion of the Acquisition and
which, in the case of either (i) and (ii) above, if curable, shall not have been
cured prior to ten business days following notice of such breach.
If the Acquisition Agreement is terminated pursuant to (1) clause (c) above
due to a failure to satisfy the Minimum Condition at any time after any person
has made an Acquisition Proposal and, within twelve months of the date of such
termination, the Company enters into a definitive agreement relating to an
Acquisition Proposal at a price per Share that exceeds the Per Share Amount with
any person, or (2) clauses (d), (e) or (f) above, the Company will pay Parent a
non-refundable fee of U.S.$10 million plus expenses of U.S.$2 million (except
for a termination under clause (d) above, in which case only expenses of U.S.$2
million shall be payable).
SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations and
warranties in the Acquisition Agreement shall not survive beyond the
consummation of the Offer, except that the covenants and agreements in the
Acquisition Agreement shall survive in accordance with their respective terms,
including, but not limited to, the "Indemnification" paragraph above.
FEES AND EXPENSES. Subject to the payment of a fee by the Company to Parent
if the Acquisition Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, each
party shall bear its own expenses and costs in connection with the Acquisition
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
11
<PAGE>
AMENDMENT. The Acquisition Agreement may be amended by action taken by the
Company, Parent and Purchaser at any time before or after adoption of the
Amalgamation by the shareholders of the Company (if required by applicable law)
but, after any such approval, no amendment shall be made which decreases the Per
Share Amount or changes the form thereof or which adversely affects the rights
of the Company's shareholders thereunder without the approval of such
shareholders, subject to certain amendments which would require the Company to
seek approval of the Continuing Directors.
PRESS RELEASE. Parent and Purchaser, on the one hand, and the Company, on
the other hand, will consult with each other before issuing any press release or
otherwise making any public statements with respect to the transactions
contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement and shall not issue any such press
release or make any such public statement prior to such consultation, except as
may be required by applicable law or by applicable rules of any securities
exchange or inter-dealer quotation system.
CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
Effective February 22, 1998, the Company and Parent entered into the
Confidentiality Agreement. Pursuant to the Confidentiality Agreement, Parent
agreed to treat in strict confidence all information furnished by the Company,
and the Company agreed to treat in strict confidence all information furnished
by Parent. In addition, Parent agreed not to purchase any Shares or pursue any
acquisition of the Company in any manner for a period of six months, without the
prior consent of the Company.
The foregoing summary of the Confidentiality Agreement does not purport to
be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of
the Confidentiality Agreement which is filed as Exhibit 4 to this Schedule
14D-9.
ITEM 4. THE SOLICITATION OR RECOMMENDATION
(a) Recommendation
At a Special Meeting held on March 15, 1998, the Board of Directors of the
Company unanimously (i) approved the Acquisition Agreement, the Offer and the
Acquisition and determined that the Offer and the transactions contemplated
thereby, (ii) determined that the Offer and the Acquisition are fair to, and in
the best interests of, the shareholders of the Company, (iii) resolved and
authorized an amendment to the Rights Agreement to permit the Acquisition
Agreement, the Offer, the Acquisition and the Shareholders Agreement and (iv)
resolved to recommend that shareholders accept the Offer. The Board of Directors
recommend that all holders of Shares accept the Offer and tender their Shares
pursuant to the Offer.
(b)(i) Background
For the past several years, the Company has continuously reviewed possible
acquisitions of companies and/or product lines, strategic alliances through
joint ventures or investment, and license arrangements. In September 1995, the
Company retained TM Capital Corp. ("TM Capital") to assist in seeking such
business prospects and in obtaining long-term debt. One of the companies
contacted about these activities made a proposal to acquire the Company.
However, that proposal was deemed inadequate by the Company. As a result of
on-going consolidation and increasing competition for suitable acquisition
candidates and reasonably valued opportunities in the diagnostic industry, in
the fall of 1997, the Company chose to broaden its options to include the
partial sale or complete sale of the Company.
On November 17, 1997, the Company retained DLJ and subsequently terminated
the services of TM Capital.
During November 1997, DLJ prepared a Confidential Information Memorandum
describing the Company. In December 1997, DLJ began contacting companies based
upon a list compiled by DLJ and
12
<PAGE>
the Company of companies which potentially might be interested in pursuing a
strategic transaction with the Company. In addition, the Company and DLJ
received unsolicited inquiries with respect to a transaction. Of the companies
contacted or those which initiated contact, 26 companies executed
confidentiality agreements and were provided with the Confidential Information
Memorandum. Parent participated in this process and entered into the
Confidentiality Agreement with the Company on February 22, 1998. See Item 3 of
this Schedule.
After having reviewed such information, seven parties, including Parent,
indicated that they had a preliminary interest with respect to an acquisition
transaction and desired to conduct a business, financial and legal review of the
Company. The Company and DLJ subsequently reviewed and discussed these
indications of preliminary interest. In late January 1998, the Company
established a data room where such parties could perform their due diligence. A
number of companies, including Parent, visited the data room.
On February 23 and 24, 1998, after visiting the data room, representatives
of Parent met with the Company's senior management in London, reviewed and
requested additional documents and visited the Company's facility in Dartford,
England, and also toured the Company's manufacturing facilities in Norcross,
Georgia and South Africa on February 24 and 27, 1998, respectively.
At the direction of the Company, DLJ issued guidelines for submitting
proposals. Such proposals were required to be submitted by March 3, 1998, with
some extensions granted. The Company subsequently received four proposals,
containing various differing terms and conditions.
On March 3, 1998, Parent wrote to the Company proposing a transaction
offering $11.00 per share for all outstanding Shares on a cash basis, and
requested a reply by March 4, 1998.
On March 6, 1998, Mr. Cusick called an officer at Parent stating the amount
offered was inadequate, and rejected the proposal.
On March 9, 1998, an officer of Parent called Mr. Cusick and requested a
meeting to discuss a new proposal.
On the evening of March 9, 1998, representatives of the Company and Parent
met to negotiate Parent's new proposal. After discussions, Parent proposed a
cash tender offer at $13.00 per share for 100% of the Company's outstanding
Shares, contingent upon negotiation of satisfactory terms of an acquisition
agreement including negotiation of an agreement on major issues such as the
transaction fees and the negotiation and receipt of the Shareholder Agreements.
On March 11, 1998, counsel to Parent provided the Company with an initial
draft of the Acquisition Agreement and the form of Shareholder Agreement.
Between March 11 and March 16, 1998, extensive negotiations were conducted as to
the details of the transaction and the draft agreements.
Based upon Parent's insistence that principal shareholders enter into
Shareholders Agreements, on March 12 and 13, 1998, the Company contacted certain
principal shareholders. The Company then reached agreement with five principal
shareholders who agreed to deliver Shareholder Agreements if the Company reached
agreement with Parent.
On March 13, 1998, the Board of Directors of Parent and Purchaser both held
telephonic meetings at which time both such Boards of Directors unanimously
approved the Acquisition Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
On March 14, 1998, the Company and Parent reached an agreement on the
transaction fees, subject to agreement on the remaining open issues.
The Company's Board of Directors held telephonic meetings on March 13 and
March 14 to discuss the progress of the negotiations, the terms and structure of
the proposed transaction and the open issues. During the evening of March 15,
the Board of Directors again met telephonically at which time
13
<PAGE>
management and counsel described the final draft agreements and the resolution
of the open issues. Representatives of DLJ explained the factors it had
considered in rendering a fairness opinion and then read the fairness opinion.
The Board of Directors then unanimously approved the Acquisition Agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereby. The factors taken into account by the
Board of Directors in making their decision are described below under
"Recommendations of the Board of Directors; Fairness of the Offer and the
Acquisition."
Early the next morning, Parent, Purchaser and the Company entered into the
Acquisition Agreement, and Parent and the Shareholders entered into Shareholder
Agreements. The parties announced the transaction later that morning pursuant to
a press release.
(b)(ii) Recommendations of the Board of Directors; Fairness of the Offer
and the Acquisition
In approving the Acquisition Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby and recommending that all holders of Shares tender their shares pursuant
to the Offer, the Board of Directors considered a number of factors including:
(i) the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, including the fact that the
Per Share Amount was superior to the consideration offered in the other
proposals;
(ii) presentations by management of the Company (at the March 15 meeting
and at previous Board of Directors' meetings) regarding the financial
condition, results of operations, business and prospects of the Company,
including the prospects if the Company were to remain independent and the
changes in the diagnostics industry;
(iii) that while the current market environment involving the purchase
of diagnostic companies provides for sales of such companies at significant
premiums, that environment may not continue in the future;
(iv) a review of the possible alternatives to the Offer and the
Completion of the Acquisition, including the possibility of the Company
remaining independent or engaging in a transaction with another bidder and
the possible value to the Company's shareholders of such alternatives;
(v) the process and the results thereof undertaken to identify and
solicit proposals from third parties to enter into a strategic transaction
with the Company;
(vi) the trading price of the Shares over the last five years and the
fact that the $13.00 Per Share Amount represents a premium of approximately
22% over the closing sales price for the Shares on the Nasdaq National
Market on March 13, 1998, the last full trading day prior to entry into the
Acquisition Agreement, a premium of approximately 41% over the average
closing sales price for the Shares for the 30 trading days preceding March
13, 1998, and also represents the highest per Share price that the Shares
have traded during the last five years;
(vii) the opinion of DLJ on March 15, 1998 that the $13.00 Per Share
Amount in cash to be received by the holders of the Shares in the Offer is
fair to such holders. A copy of the written opinion of DLJ, which sets forth
the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limits of
its review, is filed as Exhibit 6 hereto and incorporated herein by
reference. The full text of such opinion should be read in conjunction with
this Schedule 14D-9;
(viii) the terms and conditions of the Acquisition Agreement, including
the payment of a termination fee of $10 million plus $2 million for expenses
in the event of termination of the Acquisition Agreement by reason of the
Company accepting a Superior Proposal or other reasons specified in
"Termination" in Item 3;
(ix) the principal Shareholders' expressed support of the Acquisition
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and their willingness to
enter into the Shareholder Agreements,
14
<PAGE>
and the fact that the principal Shareholders would receive the same
consideration as the other shareholders of the Company;
(x) the conditions to the Offer, and the fact that there would be no
financing contingency to the Offer. In this connection, the Board of
Directors also considered the likelihood that the proposed Acquisition would
be consummated, including the likelihood of satisfaction of the conditions
to, the Offer contained in the Acquisition Agreement, and the risks to the
Company if the Acquisition were not consummated; and
(xi) the recommendation of the Company's management with respect to the
proposed Acquisition.
The Board of Directors did not assign relative weights to the factors or
determine that any factor was of particular importance. Rather, the Board of
Directors viewed their position and recommendations as being based on the
totality of the information presented to and considered by them.
It is expected that if the Shares are not accepted for payment by Purchaser
in the Offer, the Company's current management, under the general direction of
the Board of Directors of the Company, will continue to manage the Company as an
ongoing business. However, the Board of Directors of the Company may, under such
circumstances, explore other possible methods of maximizing value for the
Company's shareholders.
ITEM 5. PERSONS RETAINED, EMPLOYED OR TO BE COMPENSATED
Pursuant to a letter agreement dated November 17, 1997, and amended on
February 3, 1998, (the "Engagement Letter"), between the Company and DLJ, the
Company engaged DLJ to act as its exclusive financial advisor for a period of
twelve months to explore strategic alternatives, including but not limited to, a
sale, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or any other business combination,
in one or a series of transactions, involving the Company. In particular, the
services to be performed by DLJ included (i) assisting in the preparation of the
Confidential Information Memorandum describing the Company, its operations,
historical performance and future prospects, (ii) identifying and contacting
selected qualified acquirors; (iii) arranging for potential acquirors to conduct
business investigations; (iv) negotiating the financial aspects of any proposed
transaction and (v) delivering an opinion, if requested, as to the fairness from
a financial point of view of the consideration to be received by shareholders in
a transaction. The Engagement Letter provides for the payment to DLJ of a
financial advisory fee of $50,000, payable upon execution of the Engagement
Letter, and a fee of $500,000 at the time DLJ notifies the Company's Board of
Directors that it is prepared to deliver its fairness opinion, both of which
fees are to be credited against any transaction fee payable to DLJ. DLJ also is
entitled to a transaction fee at the Effective Date based upon the aggregate
value of the Shares in the Acquisition, which together with the out-of-pocket
expenses of DLJ, including fees and expenses of its legal counsel, is
$5,296,000. In addition, the Company agreed to indemnify DLJ against certain
liabilities, including liabilities arising under federal securities laws.
The Company retained DLJ based on its experience and expertise. DLJ is an
internationally recognized investment banking and advisory firm. DLJ, as part of
its investment banking business, is continuously engaged in the valuation of
businesses and securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions,
negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings, secondary distributions of
listed and unlisted securities, private placements and valuations for corporate
and other purposes. In the course of its market making and other trading
activities, DLJ and its affiliates may, from time to time, have a long or short
position in, and may buy and sell, securities of the Company.
TM Capital will receive a fee of $2,450,000 at the Effective Date as part of
its prior retainer arrangement. In addition, the DeBartolo interests are to pay
$300,000 to MG Capital LLC for advisory services in
15
<PAGE>
connection with the transaction, and DLJ is paying MG Capital LLC an undisclosed
finders/co-advisor fee.
Neither the Company nor any person acting on its behalf has employed,
retained or compensated any other person to make solicitations or
recommendations to shareholders of the Company on its behalf concerning the
Offer.
ITEM 6. RECENT TRANSACTIONS AND INTENT WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES
(a) During the six-month period preceding the date of this
Solicitation/Recommendation Statement, none of the Company, the directors or
executive officers of the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company after
reasonable inquiry, their respective associates, or any person or company acting
jointly or in concert with the Company had transactions in the Shares except for
those Shares set forth in the following table.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRANSACTION TYPE OF NUMBER OF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR DIRECTOR DATE TRANSACTION(1) SHARES
- -------------------------------------------- ----------- -------------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
C. Robert Cusick............................ 11/18/97 Bonus Shares 32,710(1)
Guido Guidetti.............................. 11/18/97 Restricted Shares 22,294
Steven C. Ramsey............................ 11/18/97 Restricted Shares 10,003(2)
Stanley E. Read............................. 11/21/97 Sale 1,000
11/24/97 Sale 6,300
R. Peter Silveston.......................... 11/18/97 Restricted Shares 17,458
F. Michael P. Warren........................ 11/18/97 Restricted Shares 59,739
</TABLE>
- --------------
1. Does not include Shares acquired pursuant to the Qualified Employee Stock
Purchase Plan ("ESPP") because the number of Shares received was so small as
to be insignificant.
2. Reflects the netting out of certain Shares for tax purposes.
(b) To the best of the Company's knowledge, all of its executive officers
and directors who own Shares intend to tender pursuant to the Offer all Shares
which are owned beneficially or of record by such persons.
(c) No securities of the Company exercisable for or convertible into the
Shares were issued to the directors and executive officers of the Company during
the two-year period preceding the date of this Schedule 14D-9 except options
issued under the Company's stock option plans, and Shares issued under the
exercise of options issued under the Company's stock option plans or the ESPP.
(d) No director or executive officer of the Company plans to purchase any
Shares while the Offer is outstanding, nor do any of the directors or executive
officers of the Company know of the existence of such an intention on the part
of any person or company (other than Purchaser).
ITEM 7. CERTAIN NEGOTIATIONS AND TRANSACTIONS BY THE SUBJECT COMPANY
(a) Except as described under Item 3(b), the Company is not presently
engaged in any negotiation in response to the Offer which relates to or would
result in: (i) an extraordinary transaction such as a merger or reorganization
involving the Company or any subsidiary of the Company; (ii) a purchase, sale or
transfer of a material amount of assets by the Company or any subsidiary of the
Company; (iii) a tender offer for or other acquisition of securities by or of
the Company; or (iv) any material change in the present capitalization or
dividend policy of the Company.
(b) Except as described in Items 3 and 4, there are no transactions, Board
of Directors resolutions, agreements in principle or signed contracts in
response to the Offer which relate to or would result in one or more of the
matters referred to in paragraph (a) of this Item 7.
16
<PAGE>
ITEM 8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED
None
ITEM 9. MATERIALS TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS
1. Information Statement pursuant to Section 14(f) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and Rule 14f-1 thereunder.
2. Acquisition Agreement, among Parent, Purchaser and the Company, dated as of
March 13, 1998 (without exhibits).
3 Form of Shareholder Agreement, dated as of March 13, 1998, between Parent and
each of three principal shareholders and two executive officers of the
Company.
4. Confidentiality Agreement, dated February 22, 1998, between Parent and the
Company.
5. Letter to the Shareholders of the Company, dated March 20, 1998.
6. Opinion of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, dated March
15, 1998.
17
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
INTERNATION MUREX TECHNOLOGIES
CORPORATION
By: /s/ C. ROBERT CUSICK
-----------------------------------------
C. Robert Cusick
VICE CHAIRMAN, CEO & PRESIDENT
</TABLE>
Dated: March 19, 1998
18
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SCHEDULE I
INFORMATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(F) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 AND RULE 14F-1
THEREUNDER; CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
This Information Statement is being mailed on or about March 20, 1998 as
part of the Solicitation/ Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (the
"Schedule 14D-9") to holders of the common shares, without par value (the
"Shares"), of International Murex Technologies Corporation, a British Columbia
company (the "Company"). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein
shall have the meaning set forth in the Schedule 14D-9. This information is
being furnished in connection with the possible designation by Parent, pursuant
to the Acquisition Agreement, of persons to be selected or appointed to the
Company's Board of Directors following the consummation of the Offer. Pursuant
to the Acquisition Agreement, the Company will adopt a resolution appointing
certain designees of AAC Acquisition Ltd., a British Columbia company
("Purchaser") and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Abbott Laboratories, an
Illinois corporation ("Parent"), as directors of the Company's Board of
Directors upon the conditions set forth in the Acquisition Agreement with
respect to the designation of directors of the Company by Parent. At such time
and from time to time thereafter, subject to Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act
and Rule 14f-1 promulgated thereunder, Parent shall be entitled to designate up
to that number of directors of the Board as will make the percentage of the
Company's directors designated by Purchaser (the "Purchaser Designees") equal to
the aggregate voting power of the Shares then held by Purchaser or any affiliate
of Purchaser (rounded up to the next whole number), provided that there remain
at least two directors who were directors as of the date of the Acquisition
Agreement and who are not designees, shareholders, affiliates or associates of
Parent ("Continuing Directors"). Parent and Purchaser agreed, prior to the
Effective Time, not to seek greater representation on the Board. Upon the
consummation of the Offer, it is expected that C. Robert Cusick, President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and F. Michael P. Warren, Chairman of
the Board of the Company, will be the Continuing Directors.
None of the executive officers or directors of Parent currently is a
director of, or holds any position with, the Company. The Company has been
advised by Parent that, to the best of Parent's knowledge, none of its directors
or executive officers or any of their associates beneficially owns any equity
securities, or rights to acquire any equity securities, of the Company or have
been involved in any transactions with the Company or any of its directors,
executive officers or affiliates which are required to be disclosed pursuant to
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission").
The information contained herein concerning Parent, Purchaser and the
Purchaser Designees has been furnished to the Company by Parent. The Company
assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information.
I-1
<PAGE>
INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPANY
VOTING SECURITIES
As of March 12, 1998, there were 16,826,599 Shares outstanding, all of one
class and, each of which entitles the holder to one vote. The Company has no
voting securities outstanding other than the Shares.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
SHARES HELD BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. The following table sets
forth the beneficial ownership, as of March 12, 1998, of the Company's Shares
(i) by each director of the Company and (ii) by all directors and executive
officers of the Company as a group:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENTAGE OF
NUMBER OF ACQUIRABLE UPON OUTSTANDING SHARES IF
OUTSTANDING PERCENTAGE OF EXERCISE OF ALL OPTIONS OWNED OR
SHARES OUTSTANDING OPTIONS OWNED OR CONTROLLED ARE
NAME AND LOCATION OWNED(2) SHARES CONTROLLED(2) EXERCISED(1)
- --------------------------- ------------- ----------------- ------------------ -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
George Brazier ............ 0 0 0 0
Vancouver, British
Columbia
C. Robert Cusick .......... 82,847 0.5% 261,750 2.0%
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
J. Trevor Eyton ........... 0 * 20,000 0.1%
Toronto, Ontario
Thomas L. Gavan ........... 0 * 60,000 0.4%
Bay Village, Ohio
Norbert J. Gilmore ........ 1,500 * 60,000 0.4%
Montreal, Quebec
Jay A. Lefton ............. 800 * 60,000 0.4%
Toronto, Ontario
Hartland M. MacDougall .... 0 * 20,000 0.1%
Toronto, Ontario
Stanley E. Read ........... 5,500 * 60,000 0.4%
Toronto, Ontario
Victor A. Rice ............ 25,000 0.1% 60,000 0.5%
Buffalo, New York
F. Michael P. Warren ...... 336,544(4) 2.0% 261,750 3.5%
Anguilla, BWI
All Executive Officers and 525,901 3.1% 1,000,600(3) 5.6%
Directors as a Group (14
persons).................
</TABLE>
- --------------
* Less than 0.1%
(1) The stock ownership information is based upon the number of Shares
outstanding and the number of Shares which may be acquired upon the exercise
of outstanding options (as applicable) as of 60 days after March 12, 1998.
I-2
<PAGE>
(2) Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting and investment
powers with respect to the Shares specified opposite his name.
(3) Does not include 34,300 Shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of
unvested options.
(4) Includes 109,715 Shares owned of record by Proteus BioResearch Corporation,
of which Mr. Warren is entitled to 18,286 Shares; 23,900 Shares owned of
record by Hygeia Diagnostics Corporation, of which Mr. Warren owns one-half
of the outstanding common shares; and 158,284 shares owned of record by QGB
Investments Limited, of which Mr. Warren is entitled to 22,421 Shares.
BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF MORE THAN 5% OF VOTING SHARES. To the knowledge of the
Company, no person beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or exercised
control or direction over Shares representing more than 5% of the outstanding
Shares of the Company as of March 12, 1998, unless otherwise noted, except the
following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING
SHARES OWNED OR PERCENTAGE OF
NAME AND ADDRESS CONTROLLED OUTSTANDING SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C>
The Estate of Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr.............. 1,983,013(1) 11.8%
7620 Market Street
Youngstown, Ohio
Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr............................ 2,533,450(1) 15.1%
7620 Market Street
Youngstown, Ohio
Citicorp and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, 1,069,117(2) 6.4%
Citibank, NA(US);................................
399 Park Avenue
New York, New York
University of Notre Dame........................... 1,000,000 5.9%
Notre Dame, Indiana
Oracle Partners, L.P. and Oracle 866,500 5.1%
International Partners, L.P......................
Larry Feinberg, General Partner
712 Fifth Avenue, 45th Floor
New York, New York
</TABLE>
- --------------
(1) Based solely upon information furnished to the Company on Schedule 13D,
dated November 12, 1996, Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr. and Marie Denise DeBartolo
York are co-executors of The Estate of Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. and as such
disclaim beneficial ownership of these Shares except to the extent of their
presently indeterminate pecuniary interest.
(2) Based solely upon information furnished to the Company on Schedule 13G,
dated February 13, 1998, including data as of December 31, 1997.
CHANGE OF CONTROL
The consummation of the Offer and the Completion of the Acquisition pursuant
to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement mentioned herein would result in a
change of control of the Company.
I-3
<PAGE>
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE PURCHASER DESIGNEES
THE PURCHASER DESIGNEES
Pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, it is expected that the
Purchaser Designees will take office as directors of the Company upon the
consummation of the Offer.
Parent has advised the Company that the Purchaser Designees are Christopher
Bleck, Thomas D. Brown, Peter J. O'Callaghan, Jeffery L. Smith, Gordon T.
Warriner and Miles D. White. The business address of each Purchaser Designee is
set forth as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PURCHASER DESIGNEE BUSINESS ADDRESS
- ----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Christopher Bleck Abbott Laboratories Limited
8401 Trans Canada Hwy
St. Laurent, Quebec
Canada H4S 1Z1
Thomas D. Brown Abbott Laboratories
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, Illinois
60064-3500
Peter J. O'Callaghan Blake, Cassels & Graydon
Suite 2600, Three Bentall Centre
595 Burrard Street
P.O. Box 49314
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V7X 1L3
Jeffrey L. Smith Abbott Laboratories Limited
7115 Millcreek Drive
Second Floor
Mississauga, Ontario
Canada L5N 3R3
Gordon T. Warriner Abbott Laboratories Limited
8401 Trans Canada Hwy
St. Laurent, Quebec Canada
H4S 1Z1
Miles D. White Abbott Laboratories
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, Illinois
60064-3500
</TABLE>
Set forth below is certain information with respect to the Purchaser
Designees.
Christopher Bleck has been the General Manager and President of Abbott
Laboratories Limited since 1997. He was the Vice President of Business
Development, Abbott International from 1995 to 1997, and the Vice President of
Managed Health Care, Pharmaceutical Products Division of Parent from 1993 to
1995. Mr. Bleck was also the Director of Cardiovascular, Business Unit,
Pharmaceutical Products Division from 1991 to 1993. Mr. Bleck is a U.S. citizen
residing in Canada.
Thomas D. Brown, age 49, was named Senior Vice President, Diagnostic
Operations of Parent in 1998, after having served as Vice President Diagnostic
Commercial Operations over the past five years. In 1993, Mr. Brown has served as
Divisional Vice President, Diagnostic Commercial Operations.
I-4
<PAGE>
Peter J. O'Callaghan, age 39, has been a partner at the law firm Blake,
Cassels & Graydon since July 1995. From 1989 to 1995, Mr. O'Callaghan was a
partner at the law firm Bull Housser & Tupper. He is a Canadian citizen and a
British Columbia resident.
Jeffrey L. Smith, age 38, has been the General Manager of the Diagnostics
Division of Abbott Laboratories Limited since September 1977 after having served
as the Director, Ross Products Division from September 1994 to September 1997,
was the Business Unit Manager -- Infant Nutrition from November 1991 to
September 1994 and the National Sales Manager -- Infant Nutrition from July 1990
to November 1991. Mr. Smith is a Canadian citizen.
Gordon T. Warriner, has been the Director of Financial Administration and
the Secretary of Abbott Laboratories Limited since December 1978 and a director
thereof since prior to 1993. He is a Canadian resident and citizen.
Miles D. White, age 43, has occupied a number of high level executive
positions at Parent over the last five years. Mr. White is the Executive Vice
President of Parent after having served as the Senior Vice President, Diagnostic
Operations from 1994 to 1998, from 1993 to 1994, he was Vice President,
Diagnostic Systems and Operations after having served as Divisional Vice
President and General Manager, Diagnostic Systems and Operations in 1993.
During the last five years, none of the above persons, to the best knowledge
of Parent, has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic
violations and similar misdemeanors) or was a party to a civil proceeding of a
judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of
such proceeding was, or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order
enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or
state securities laws or finding any violation of such laws.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The directors and executive officers of the Company as of March 13, 1998 are
set forth below.
GEORGE BRAZIER, age 57, has been a director since March 1998. For more than
the past five years he has been a partner of the firm of DuMoulin Black,
Vancouver, British Columbia. DuMoulin Black has and is currently providing legal
counsel for the Company in British Columbia. He is a director of United Compass
Resources Ltd.
C. ROBERT CUSICK, age 51, has been a director of the Company since February
3, 1989, he has been President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") since
December 1, 1996 and Vice Chairman since November 1993, having previously served
as President and CEO from April 1990 to October 1993 and as Chief Financial
Officer from March 1995 to December 1996. He continues to serve in various
executive positions for a number of the Company's subsidiaries. Mr. Cusick is a
certified public accountant and has served in various executive positions in
manufacturing, banking and real estate prior to joining the Company.
THE HONORABLE J. TREVOR EYTON, O.C., age 63, has been a director of the
Company since January 21, 1997. He has served as a member of the Canadian Senate
since September 1990. In addition, Mr. Eyton serves as the Senior Chairman of
EdperBrascan Corporation. From 1962 to 1979 Mr. Eyton was a partner of the law
firm Tory Tory DesLauriers & Binnington of Toronto, Ontario. Mr. Eyton also
serves as a director of other companies such as General Motors of Canada
Limited, M.A. Hanna Company and Noranda Inc.
DR. THOMAS L. GAVAN, M.D., age 68, has been a director of the Company since
April 17, 1990. He has served as the Chairman of the Division of Laboratory
Medicine of Cleveland Clinic Foundation, a medical clinic in Cleveland, Ohio
from 1985 until his retirement on December 31, 1991. He is a member of the Board
of Governors of the College of American Pathologists. He is also a past
President of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards.
I-5
<PAGE>
DR. NORBERT J. GILMORE, PH.D, M.D., age 55, has been a director of the
Company since April 17, 1990. He has been a Senior Physician of the Royal
Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec since 1987, and a member of its division of
Clinical Immunology since 1974 and has been a member of the Faculty of Medicine
at McGill University in Montreal since 1974, a Professor of Medicine since 1994,
and a Member of the McGill Center for Medicine, Ethics and Law since 1986. He
was Chairman of the National Advisory Committee on AIDS from 1983 to 1989,
co-founder of the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research ("CanFAR"), its
President from 1988 to 1989, and was Chairman of the Expert Committee on AIDS
and Prisons of the Correctional Service of Canada from 1992 to 1994.
JAY A. LEFTON, age 41, has been a director of the Company since December 9,
1991. He has been partner of the firm of Aird & Berlis, Barristers and
Solicitors, Toronto, Ontario since 1986. He is a member of the Ontario
Biotechnology Advisory Board as well as a member of the Board of Governors, the
Commercial Developments Committee and the Technology Transfer and Industrial
Liaison Committee of Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario. Mr. Lefton sits on
the board of directors of various charitable organizations. He is also a member
of the Board of Directors of Sumtra Diversified Inc. and Harley Street Software,
Ltd. Aird & Berlis has and is currently providing legal counsel for the Company
in Ontario.
HARTLAND M. MACDOUGALL, CVO, O.C., age 67, has been a director of the
Company since January 21, 1997. He recently retired as the Deputy Chairman of
London Life Insurance Company and London Insurance Group Incorporated when it
was sold to the Great West Life Assurance Company. He was the former Chairman of
Royal Trust and related companies from 1984 to 1993 when it was sold to the
Royal Bank of Canada. Prior to that, Mr. MacDougall was a career banker with
Bank of Montreal from 1953, serving as a director from 1974 to 1984 and four
years as Vice Chairman.
DR. STANLEY E. READ, PH.D, M.D., age 57, has been a director of the Company
since April 17, 1990. He has been the director of the HIV/AIDS Comprehensive
Care Program since 1988 and the Head of the Division of Infectious Diseases
since 1992 at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario. He has been
Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology at the University of Toronto since 1990
and was an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology at the University
of Toronto from 1980 to 1990. He was the Director of the Infectious Disease
Training Program at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, between
1986 and 1990. He also has been an Associate in the Department of Medicine at
the Toronto General Hospital since 1983 as well as an Adjunct Professor at
Rockefeller University in New York, New York since 1980. He is on the Board of
Directors of CanFAR and has been the Chairman of its Scientific Advisory
Committee since 1992.
VICTOR A. RICE, age 57, has been a director of the Company since April 15,
1994, and had previously served as a director from April 17, 1990 to November
30, 1992. He has been Chief Executive and a director of LucasVarity plc since
1996, having been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Varity Corp. from 1980
to 1996. He serves as a director of American Precision Industries, Inc.
F. MICHAEL P. WARREN, age 62, a founder of the Company, has served as
Chairman of the Board since April 1990. He has also served in various executive
positions for the Company's UK and other subsidiaries since February 1992. Mr.
Warren was a partner of the firm of Owen, Bird, Barristers and Solicitors,
Vancouver, British Columbia, from 1970 through January 1992. Mr. Warren also
serves as a Director of Biotechnical Environmental Technologies Corporation.
STEVEN C. RAMSEY, age 49, has served as Chief Financial Officer of the
Company since December 1996 and as Vice President/Controller since March 1995.
From May 1993 until August 1996, he served as Finance Director of the Company's
UK subsidiaries. Mr. Ramsey joined the Company as Vice President, Finance of
Murex Corporation in February 1992. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Ramsey
served in various management capacities with Sprint and the Molson Companies
Limited.
GUIDO GUIDETTI, age 47, has served as Vice President since December 1996. He
has also served as a Director and General Manager-Commercial Operations for the
Company's UK subsidiaries since
I-6
<PAGE>
joining the Company in November 1993. Mr. Guidetti is responsible for the
continued development and management of the Company's worldwide marketing and
distribution network. Mr. Guidetti has over 18 years' experience in the
diagnostic products industry. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Guidetti was
Director of Commercial Operations-Europe for Syntex's SYVA Diagnostics. Mr.
Guidetti also served in various management capacities at Abbott Diagnostics for
seven years and at Johnson & Johnson for more than eight years.
R. PETER SILVESTON, age 48, has served as Vice President since December
1996. He has also served as a Director and General Manager of the Company's UK
subsidiaries since 1992. Mr. Silveston is responsible for operations, research
and development, information systems and legal and intellectual property
matters. With over 26 years in the health care industry, Mr. Silveston was a
member of the executive management team of Wellcome Diagnostics at the time of
the acquisition of that business by the Company in February 1992. Prior to
joining Wellcome Diagnostics in 1989, he served in various management positions
in the pharmaceutical business of The Wellcome Foundation Limited.
MEETINGS, COMMITTEES AND OTHER INFORMATION
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of the Company holds regular meetings at a minimum of
one meeting each fiscal quarter. During the year ended December 31, 1997, the
Board of Directors held four meetings. Every director, with the exception of
Victor A. Rice, attended an average of 90% of the meetings of the Board and the
committees on which they serve. On four other occasions, the Board unanimously
consented in writing to various resolutions pertaining to the Company's affairs.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The Board of Directors has two standing committees to assist in carrying out
its obligations. The principal responsibilities of each committee are described
below.
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. Comprised of three independent directors, the Audit
Committee is primarily concerned with the effectiveness of the Company's
accounting policies and practices, financial reporting and internal controls.
Specifically, this Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the firm to be
appointed as the Company's independent public accountants, subject to
ratification by the shareholders; reviews and approves the scope of the annual
examination of the books and records of the Company and its subsidiaries and
reviews the audit findings and recommendations of the independent public
accountants; considers the organization, scope and adequacy of the Company's
internal audit staff of the Company; and provides oversight with respect to
accounting principles employed in the Company's financial reporting. This
Committee met six times during 1997.
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. Comprised of four non-employee directors, the
Compensation Committee oversees the Company's compensation and executive benefit
policies and programs, including administration of the Amended and Restated 1993
Employee Equity Incentive Plan and the Qualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
It also recommends to the Board of Directors annual salaries, bonuses and stock
option awards for officers and certain other key executives. This Committee met
once during 1997 and unanimously consented in writing on three separate
occasions to various resolutions pertaining to Committee affairs.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS
In 1997, independent directors of the Company received an annual retainer of
$5,000 and a $1,500 per meeting fee. All directors are reimbursed for
out-or-pocket expenses related to the Company's business. Non-employee directors
are granted annual options to purchase 10,000 Shares as of the
I-7
<PAGE>
annual meeting of shareholders under the Employee Equity Incentive Plan, see
"Employee Benefit Plans--Employee Equity Incentive Plan."
In December 1997, the non-employee members of the Board were awarded a lump
sum bonus of $60,000. Based upon survey information obtained regarding director
compensation for companies that are similar in size to the Company and to
properly address and account for the past five years, it was determined that the
existing compensation package to these Board members was inadequate and had been
for several years. The lump-sum payment was made in order to offset inadequate
director fees for service in past years.
OTHER TRANSACTIONS AND CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
FILINGS UNDER SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Section
16(a)") requires directors, executive officers and persons, if any, owning more
than ten percent of a class of the Company's registered equity securities to
file reports of holdings and transactions of their Shares with the Commission
and the Nasdaq National Market System.
Based solely upon a review of the copies of the forms furnished to the
Company or written representations that no other reports were required, the
Company believes that during the preceding year filings applicable to executive
officers and directors were met except for the following late filings on Form 4:
Mr. Cusick's open market purchase of 2,500 shares on March 4, 1997 was filed
August 20, 1997; sales from a previous option exercise by Dr. Gavan of 7,500
shares on March 4, 1997, 2,500 shares on March 7, 1997 and 5,000 shares on March
10, 1997 were filed on August 20, 1997; an option exercise and sale by Ms.
Gilmer of 2,000 shares on June 6, 1997 was filed on August 7, 1997; sales from a
previous option exercise by Dr. Gilmore of 2,500 shares on March 11, 1997 and of
2,500 shares on June 10, 1997 were filed on August 20, 1997 and September 8,
1997, respectively; an open market purchase by Mr. Guidetti of 1,105 shares on
March 31, 1997 was filed on December 1, 1997; sales from a previous option
exercise by Mr. Lefton of 5,000 shares on March 11, 1997, 2,500 shares on March
12, 1997 and 12,500 shares on March 13, 1997 were filed on August 20, 1997; and
an open market purchase by Mr. Silveston of 2,519 shares was reported on
December 1, 1997.
I-8
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
SUMMARY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the total compensation paid or accrued by the
Company during the Company's three most recent fiscal years to the Company's
Chief Executive Officer and the four most highly compensated executive officers
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE (1)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
AWARDS (2)
ANNUAL COMPENSATION OTHER --------------- ALL
------------------------------------------------ ANNUAL SECURITIES OTHER
BONUS COMPEN UNDERLYING COMPEN-
------------------------ -SATION OPTIONS/SARS SATION
EXECUTIVE OFFICER YEAR SALARY($) CASH (3) NON-CASH (4) ($) (5) (#) ($) (6)
- ----------------------------- --------- ----------- --------- ------------- ----------- --------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
C. Robert Cusick............. 1997 $ 269,439 $ 927,500 $ 363,236 22,700 $ 20,500
President/CEO 1996 230,625 163,407 250,400 17,216
1995 225,000 20,760
F. Michael P. Warren......... 1997 238,236 833,825 363,236 $ 55,750 22,700 $ 102,853
Chairman 1996 230,625 163,407 56,290 250,400 14,922
1995 225,000
Steven C. Ramsey............. 1997 134,365 375,000 85,073 5,300 $ 18,271
CFO & V.P./Controller 1996 126,034 39,315 31,8000 $ 12,078
1995 121,800 12,180
Guido Guidetti............... 1997 213,851 544,017 133,763 8,400 42,770
Vice President 1996 187,747 67,065 35,200 37,549
R. Peter Silveston........... 1997 167,467 344,804 104,750 6,600 33,493
Vice President 1996 144,822 56,866 31,300 28,964
</TABLE>
- --------------
(1) Amount paid in currencies other than U.S. dollars have been converted at
applicable rates.
(2) As of December 31, 1997, there were no shares of restricted stock
outstanding. A portion of the options granted in 1997 are not presently
exercisable, see table entitled "Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last
Fiscal Year and Year-End Options SAR Value."
(3) Amount includes cash payout based on criteria set forth in the Senior
Management Incentive Plan.
(4) Represents the value of a stock bonus awarded by the Compensation Committee
in September 1996 to executive officers and other key managers following the
settlement by the Company of its HCV parent litigation against Chiron
Corporation and Johnson & Johnson/Ortho Diagnostic Systems, Inc. and their
respective affiliates. During the four years of this litigation throughout
Europe and Australia, the executive officers and key managers were under
threat of personal litigation and significant liability in regard to the
matters in dispute exposing them to adverse judgments in damages. For
purposes of this table, the Shares were valued at $6 each based on the fair
market value of the Shares on the date of the award. The underlying Shares
were issued during 1997.
(5) Includes the amount of perquisites and other personal benefits paid in
excess of the lesser of $50,000, or 10% of the aggregate salary and bonus.
(6) Amounts paid by the Company to tax-qualified defined contribution retirement
plan or to UK "Money Purchase" pension scheme.
I-9
<PAGE>
OPTION GRANTS AND EXERCISES
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL
REALIZABLE
VALUE AT
ASSUMED
ANNUAL RATES OF
PERCENT OF SHARE PRICE
TOTAL APPRECIATION
NUMBER OF OPTION/SARS FOR
OPTIONS/ GRANTED TO OPTION TERM
SAR EMPLOYEES IN EXERCISE OR EXPIRATION ---------------
NAME GRANTED (#) FISCAL YEAR BASE PRICE DATE 5.00% 10.00%
- --------------------------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ---------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
C. Robert Cusick........... 22,700 7.51% $7.125 3/19/2002 $50,117 $105,597
F. Michael P. Warren....... 22,700 7.51% $7.125 3/19/2002 50,117 105,597
Steven C. Ramsey........... 5,300 1.75% $7.125 3/19/2002 11,701 24,655
Guido Guidetti............. 6,600 2.78% $7.125 3/19/2002 18,546 39,076
R. Peter Silveston......... 22,700 2.18% $7.125 3/19/2002 14,572 30,702
</TABLE>
The following table shows the value of all options held by the Chief
Executive Officer and other named executive officers as of December 31, 1997. No
options were exercised by the Chief Executive Officer or the other named
executive officers during 1997.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
OPTIONS/SAR AT YEAR-END (#) OPTIONS/SAR AT YEAR-END ($)
--------------------------- ---------------------------------------
NAME EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- --------------------------- ------------ ------------ ---------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
C. Robert Cusick........... 225,200 47,900 1,5$62,325 2$41,506
F. Michael P. Warren....... 225,200 47,900 1,562,325 241,506
Steven C. Ramsey........... 25,900 11,200 179,681 56,500
Guido Guidetti............. 27,600 16,000 191,475 77,400
R. Peter Silveston......... 25,650 12,250 177,947 58,584
</TABLE>
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
No management functions of the Company are performed to any substantial
degree by a person other than a director or executive officer of the Company
listed in the "Summary Compensation Table" and no other executive management
contracts exist, other than those described below.
During 1997, the Company amended and restated the employment contracts with
Messrs. Cusick and Warren. The agreements each have similar terms and
conditions. The agreements have initial terms of three years with automatic
renewal thereafter unless notification is provided. The base salary for Mr.
Warren was set at his then current base salary of $238,625 per annum. Mr.
Cusick's base salary was set at $265,000, providing an increase of his base
salary based on his assumption of the duties of Chief Executive Officer. Both
agreements allow for cost of living increases equal to the percentage increase
in the Consumer Price Index beginning January 1, 1998. These agreements
incorporate two-year non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of the
Company's customers and employees. If the Company terminates either of these
executives for other than cause, he will be entitled to receive 24 months of his
base compensation. These agreements also include provisions for deferral of
compensation and for compensation pursuant to a change in control as described
below in "Termination of Employment or Change in Control".
I-10
<PAGE>
In July 1995, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr.
Ramsey. This agreement has an initial one year term with automatic renewal
thereafter unless notification is provided. Under the terms of the agreement,
his base salary was set at $122,960 and will be adjusted annually by an amount
equal to the Consumer Price Index starting January 1, 1996. This agreement
incorporates one-year non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of the
Company's customers and employees. If the Company terminates Mr. Ramsey for
other than cause, he will be entitled to receive an amount equal to his current
annual base salary. Mr. Ramsey's contract also includes provisions for
compensation pursuant to a change in control as described below in "Termination
of Employment or Change in Control".
Messrs. Guidetti and Silveston do not currently have employment contracts.
However, UK employment policies dictate that they are entitled to 12 months pay
in lieu of notice in the event the Company terminates their employment. In the
event that either resigns his position, each is required to provide the Company
with six months notice.
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
In addition to the termination provisions of the employment agreements
described above, the Company adopted change of control provisions (the
"Provisions") for its executive officers and certain other key managers in
September 1995 and subsequently amended certain provisions relating to U.S.
executives in November 1997. The Company believes that these Provisions will
protect and enhance the Company's ability to maintain a sound and vital
management team despite a possible change in control. The Provisions guarantee
salary for 299% of the five year annual average of all compensation for Messrs.
Warren and Cusick and other benefits (medical, vacation, disability, etc.) for a
period of 24 months. For Messrs. Ramsey, Guidetti, Silveston and other key
employees the Provisions guarantee base salary and other benefits for 24 months.
In addition, to the extent that the change of control payment amount to a
recipient who is a U.S. taxpayer would exceed the maximum amount to avoid an
excise tax to the recipient under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), the payment amount would be increased to cover the excise tax
liability. The Provisions also incorporate terms that enable an acquiring
company to retain key managers. All of the Provisions have been incorporated
into existing employment agreements and continue with the term of each
agreement. The total amount payable to all participants is to be set aside in
trust to be paid upon a triggering event pursuant to the terms of the
Provisions.
OTHER COMPENSATION MATTERS
Except to the extent set forth herein, no other compensation was paid by the
Company to its executive officers during the 1997 fiscal year, including
personal benefits and securities or property paid or distributed, which
compensation is not offered on the same terms to all full-time employees other
than those covered by a collective agreement. The value of any such other
compensation, paid under terms available to all full-time employees however,
does not exceed the lesser of 10% of the total compensation or $50,000 for any
executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table, except as disclosed
therein.
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
In February 1997, Drs. Gavan, Gilmore and Read each borrowed $60,000 from
the Company in order to exercise expiring options. Each borrowing was evidenced
by a promissory note and payment of the principal amount and interest was due in
full on December 15, 1997. Interest accrued on unpaid balances at an annual rate
of 8.89%, the Company's current borrowing rate. No balances remained outstanding
as of December 31, 1997.
In December 1997, Mr. Ramsey borrowed $131,250 from the Company in order to
pay the tax liability associated with a bonus payment made in the form of shares
the Company holds in another
I-11
<PAGE>
public company. The borrowing is evidenced by a promissory note and payment of
the principal amount and interest is due in full on December 15, 1998. Interest
accrues on unpaid balance at an annual rate of 8.89%, the Company's current
borrowing rate.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Company provides a range of benefit plans to all employees throughout
the world. Following is a brief summary of the plans in which executive officers
may participate.
PROFIT SHARING PLANS
The U.S. 401(k) Plan is a tax-qualified, defined contribution plan
administered by an administration committee appointed by the Board of Directors
of a wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of the Company. Employees are eligible to make
contributions on a pre-tax basis, receive an allocation or employer matching and
profit sharing contributions at the next scheduled enrollment after being
employed for three months. A participant is always fully vested in his own
contributions and investment earnings on those contributions. A participant will
vest in the profit sharing and matching contributions made on his behalf, and
earnings thereon, at the rate of 20% per year beginning after his first year of
service and become fully vested after five years of service. Generally, a
participant will not receive distributions from the U.S. 401(k) Plan until
termination of employment, disability or death.
The UK "money purchase" pension scheme (the "UK Plan") has been approved by
the Inland Revenue under Chapter 1, Part XIV of the Income and Corporation Taxes
Act of 1988. All permanent employees are eligible to join the UK Plan on the day
they become employed and are between the ages of 18 and 60. Each participant is
required to contribute an amount equal to 2.5% of his base salary. The Company
contributes 7.5% of base salary to each participant's account. Additional
contributions can be made for which the Company matches up to 2.5% of base
salary. The total contribution paid by the participant cannot exceed the lower
of 15% of annual earnings or a figure determined by Inland Revenue annually. A
participant is always fully vested in his own contributions and investment
earnings on those contributions. A participant will vest in the Company's
matching contributions beginning after his second year as a member of the UK
Plan. Generally, a participant will not receive Company distributions from the
UK Plan unless he reaches retirement age or transfers all amounts to another
qualified plan.
EMPLOYEE EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
In May 1993, the Company's Board of Directors adopted the International
Murex Technologies Corporation Employee Equity Incentive Plan (the "1993 Plan")
which was approved by shareholders in June 1993 and further amended by
shareholder approval in June 1994. The purpose of the 1993 Plan is to provide
long-term compensation incentives for superior performance in the interest of
shareholders by key employees of the Company, and its subsidiaries, as well as
equity-based compensation for members of the Board of Directors. The 1993 Plan
is intended to strengthen the Company's long-term financial performance and its
ability to attract and retain management employees and directors upon whose
judgment, initiative and efforts the Company's continued success, growth and
development are dependent. The maximum number of Shares of the Company which may
be issued pursuant to awards under the 1993 Plan is no more than 2,000,000
Shares.
The Compensation Committee determines the terms and conditions of the
options granted under the 1993 Plan, including the type of option and the time
and manner in which each option becomes exercisable. Generally, the exercise
period for any option, including any extension which the Committee may from time
to time decide to grant, may not exceed ten years from the date of grant. The
option price per Share will be determined by the Committee at the time any
option is granted and may not be less than the fair market value or, in the case
of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% shareholder, 110% of the fair
market value, on the date the option is granted.
I-12
<PAGE>
As amended in June 1994 and beginning with the 1994 annual meeting of the
Company's shareholders, each non-employee member of the Board of Directors of
the Company in office immediately following such meeting will automatically be
granted an option to purchase 10,000 Shares at a price per Share equal to the
closing price of the Company's Shares on the day prior to grant. Each option
granted to a director is immediately exercisable and expires on the tenth
anniversary of the date of grant.
As of December 31, 1997, the 1993 Plan had 1,640,650 options outstanding to
approximately 46 individuals, of which options held by the executive officers
represent 42% of the outstanding options.
1990 STOCK OPTION PLAN
The 1990 Stock Option Plan (the "1990 Plan") provided that directors,
officers and employees of the Company and its majority owned subsidiaries were
eligible to receive options (or rights) to purchase Shares of the Company within
a fixed period of time and at a specified price per Share, subject to any
necessary regulatory approvals. The 1993 Plan replaced the 1990 Plan and no
additional options or rights will be granted under the 1990 Plan.
As of December 31, 1997, the 1990 Plan had no options outstanding.
QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN (ESPP)
The Company's ESPP became effective July 1, 1993 upon approval by the
Company's shareholders. It was amended and restated in 1996. The ESPP, which is
intended to qualify under Section 423 of the Code, is designed to encourage all
eligible employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, where permitted by
applicable law, to acquire an equity interest in the Company through the
purchase of Shares at a price equal to 85% of the closing market price the day
prior to the purchase. The Company believes that employees who participate in
the ESPP will have a closer identification with the Company by virtue of their
ability as shareholders to participate in and benefit from its future growth.
Four executive officers purchased a total of 2,561 Shares by participating in
the ESPP during 1997.
Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, the Company's Board of Directors will
adopt such resolutions or take such other actions as are required (i) to suspend
the ESPP and employee contributions thereto effective as of March 16, 1998, (ii)
to terminate the ESPP as of the date that Shares are purchased in the Offer and
(iii) to ratify, for purposes of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the
transactions described in this paragraph. If the date of the consummation of the
Offer occurs prior to the next Investment Date (as defined in the ESPP), then
the ESPP will refund the payroll deductions made by the ESPP participants during
the Offering Period (as defined in the ESPP) immediately preceding that
Investment Date to the participants. If the date of the consummation of the
Offer occurs on or after the Investment Date, then the payroll deductions will
be applied to make purchases of Shares as provided in the ESPP.
Prior to the consummation of the Offer, the Company's Board of Directors
will adopt resolutions or take other actions necessary to ensure that, following
the Effective Time, no participant in any stock option, stock appreciation or
other benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries will have any right
thereunder to acquire any capital stock of Company.
I-13
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee (the "Committee") is responsible for considering
and approving compensation arrangements for senior management of the Company.
The Committee's objectives for establishing these compensation programs are:
- To strengthen the relationship of senior managements' pay and the
shareholders' investment by emphasizing incentive compensation that is
dependent upon the improvement of shareholder value, and
- To enhance the Company's ability to attract, retain, and motivate
executives upon whom, in large part, the successful operation and
management of the Company depends.
The Committee is comprised of four independent, non-employee directors who
have no "interlocking" relationships, as defined by the Commission.
The Committee approves the design of, assesses the effectiveness of, and
administers executive compensation programs. The Committee has available to it
an outside executive compensation consultant, as well as access to independent
compensation data. The Committee approves all salary arrangements and other
remuneration for executives, evaluates executive performance, and considers
related matters.
COMPENSATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Committee believes the overall compensation program plays a key role in
keeping senior management focused on the enhancement of shareholder value. The
primary components of the Company's executive compensation program are:
- Salaries: Pay executives for the base job,
- Annual incentives (bonus): Rewards for favorable annual performance, and
- Stock options: Link executive pay directly to shareholder investment,
The Committee considers all elements of executive compensation when
determining appropriate levels within each pay component. Actual total
compensation levels may be above or below targeted levels based on performance
levels achieved (e.g., performance under the annual incentive plan, share price
appreciation).
Periodically, the Company compares its executive compensation pay practices
to the "market". For this purpose, the market is a cross-section of
similar-sized companies in the drug/medical supply industry. The Committee
believes this criteria provides reasonable pay comparisons, enabling the Company
to assure executives they are being paid fairly, while assuring shareholders
that executive pay levels are reasonable.
The companies used for compensation comparisons are not necessarily the same
companies that comprise the published industry index in the performance graph.
The Committee believes that the most direct competitors for executive talent are
not necessarily the same companies that would be included in a published
industry index for comparing shareholder returns.
SALARIES
Salary levels for the executive officers at the Company are determined
similarly to those of other salaried employees. Guidelines are established
through an external comparison of each position's job content and responsibility
versus similar jobs in the marketplace.
I-14
<PAGE>
Initial base salary criteria includes job content and responsibility, prior
experience, job tenure, internal equity issues, and external pay practices.
Subsequent base salary increases, other than those for cost of living
adjustments, are influenced by factors such as:
- Performance against objectives for the year,
- The Company's performance versus financial objectives, and
- The individual's efforts in (a) continuing education and management
training, (b) developing relationships with customers and other employees,
and (c) demonstrating leadership abilities among co-workers.
The Company targets salary levels at the market average (e.g., 50th
percentile). Overall, the Company's executive officer salary levels are at or
near the 50th percentile.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mr. Cusick, who assumed the additional positions of President and CEO
effective December 1, 1996, received a salary adjustment in August 1997
retroactively increasing his annual base salary to $265,000. Prior to this
adjustment, Mr. Cusick had received an annual cost of living increase of 2.7% as
set forth in his employment agreement (see "Compensation of Executive
Officers--Employment Agreements").
ANNUAL INCENTIVE OPPORTUNITY
In 1996, the Company adopted the Senior Management Incentive Plan ("SMIP"),
which uses return on capital employed ("ROCE") as the primary measure of
corporate performance. This measure reflects the economic profitability of the
Company, including all charges for the use of capital. The underlying premise is
that if the Company earns more than its total cost of capital, then it has added
to shareholder value. The more capital the Company can employ in this profitable
manner, the more value it will add for shareholders.
The ROCE plan covers all executive officers and certain first line
operational management. It has both short and long-term elements to it. For
example, performance is measured on an annual basis, but payouts are governed by
a "banking concept" that can increase or decrease based on future years'
performance.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mr. Cusick earned a cash bonus of $927,500 based on the criteria set forth
in the SMIP.
STOCK OPTIONS
Stock options have been granted to executive officers to help focus efforts
on the creation of shareholder wealth over the long-term. The Company has
encouraged executive officers and other key managers to hold the Shares received
through option exercises to strengthen the tie between their personal pay and
the long-term interests of shareholders.
In 1995, the Compensation Committee developed a method whereby executive
officers and other key managers would be awarded an annual grant of options (the
"Annual Grant Method"). Originally, these grants were awarded based on a formula
using a percentage of the individual's base salary divided by the fair market
value of the Company's Shares at the time of grant.
I-15
<PAGE>
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
Mr. Cusick received an option grant of 22,700 Shares on March 19, 1997
having a term of five years and vesting 50% after one year and 50% after two
years.
POLICY WITH RESPECT TO THE $1 MILLION DEDUCTION LIMIT
Section 162(m) of the Code generally limits the corporate deduction for
compensation paid to executive officers named in the proxy to $1 million, unless
certain requirements are met. The Company believes that it is not at risk of
losing deductions and currently is not affected by the limits on deductibility.
CONCLUSION
The Committee will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the Company's
total compensation program to meet strategic business objectives and executive
compensation policies.
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Victor A. Rice, Chairman
Norbert J. Gilmore, Ph.D., M.D.
Stanley E. Read, Ph.D., M.D.
Hartland M. MacDougall
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The graph below compares cumulative total return on investment (based on the
change in year-end stock price from the prior year and assuming reinvestment of
all dividends) assuming a $100 investment in the Shares of the Company, the
Russell 2000 Index and a peer group of medical supplies companies for the period
from 1992 to 1997. Total returns exclude trading commissions and taxes.
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INTERNATIONAL MUREX RUSSELL 2000 MEDICAL
<S> <C> <C> <C>
TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Index Supplies
1992 $ 100.00 $ 100.00 $ 100.00
1993 $ 67.21 $ 118.91 $ 95.11
1994 $ 49.18 $ 116.55 $ 118.27
1995 $ 40.98 $ 149.70 $ 183.49
1996 $ 95.91 $ 174.30 $ 230.72
1997 $ 131.97 $ 213.00 $ 340.96
</TABLE>
I-16
<PAGE>
ACQUISITION AGREEMENT
Among
INTERNATIONAL MUREX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION,
ABBOTT LABORATORIES
and
AAC ACQUISITION LTD.
dated as of March 13, 1998
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
ARTICLE I THE OFFER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2-
Section 1.1 The Offer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -2-
Section 1.2 Company Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -3-
Section 1.3 Boards of Directors and Committees; Section 14(f). . . . -5-
Section 1.4 Company Stock Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -6-
ARTICLE II THE COMPLETION OF THE ACQUISITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -7-
Section 2.1 The Compulsory Acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -7-
Section 2.2 The Amalgamation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -7-
Section 2.3 Meeting and Voting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -7-
ARTICLE III EXCHANGE OF SHARE CAPITAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -8-
Section 3.1 Exchange of Share Capital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -8-
Section 3.2 Exchange of Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -8-
Section 3.3 Shareholders' Meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-10-
Section 3.4 Dissenting Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-11-
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY . . . . . . . . .-11-
Section 4.1 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries . . . . . .-11-
Section 4.2 Capitalization of the Company and Its Subsidiaries . . .-12-
Section 4.3 Authority Relative to This Agreement . . . . . . . . . .-13-
Section 4.4 Non-Contravention; Required Filings and Consents . . . .-13-
Section 4.5 SEC Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-14-
Section 4.6 Absence of Certain Changes; Derivatives. . . . . . . . .-15-
Section 4.7 Board Recommendation Statement; Offer Documents. . . . .-15-
Section 4.8 Finder's Fee; Professional Expenses. . . . . . . . . . .-15-
Section 4.9 Absence of Litigation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-16-
Section 4.10 Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-16-
Section 4.11 Employee Benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-17-
Section 4.12 Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-20-
Section 4.13 Environmental Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-20-
Section 4.14 Intellectual Property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-21-
Section 4.15 Significant Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-22-
Section 4.16 Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-23-
Section 4.17 Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-24-
Section 4.18 Labor Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-24-
Section 4.19 Regulatory Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-24-
-i-
<PAGE>
Section 4.20 Voting Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-26-
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
PARENT AND SUBSIDIARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-26-
Section 5.1 Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-26-
Section 5.2 Authority Relative to this Agreement . . . . . . . . . .-26-
Section 5.3 Non-Contravention; Required Filings and Consents . . . .-26-
Section 5.4 Offer Documents; Board Recommendation Statement;
Proxy Statement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-27-
Section 5.5 No Prior Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-28-
Section 5.6 Financing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-28-
Section 5.7 No Share Ownership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-28-
ARTICLE VI COVENANTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-28-
Section 6.1 Conduct of Business of the Company . . . . . . . . . . .-28-
Section 6.2 Access to Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-30-
Section 6.3 Reasonable Best Efforts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-31-
Section 6.4 Public Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-31-
Section 6.5 Indemnification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-32-
Section 6.6 Notification of Certain Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . .-32-
Section 6.7 Termination of Stock Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-33-
Section 6.8 No Solicitation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-33-
Section 6.9 Chiron License Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-35-
Section 6.10 Litigation Between Parent and the Company. . . . . . . .-35-
Section 6.11 Rights Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-35-
Section 6.12 Post-Option Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-36-
ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS TO THE COMPLETION OF THE ACQUISITION . . . . . . . .-36-
Section 7.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the
Completion of the Acquisition. . . . . . . . . . . . . .-36-
Section 7.2 Conditions to the Obligation of Parent and
Subsidiary to Effect the Completion of the Acquisition .-37-
Section 7.3 Conditions to the Obligation of the Company to
Effect the Completion of the Acquisition . . . . . . . .-37-
ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION; EXPENSES; AMENDMENT; WAIVER . . . . . . . . . . .-37-
Section 8.1 Termination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-37-
Section 8.2 Effect of Termination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-39-
Section 8.3 Fees and Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-40-
Section 8.4 Amendment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-40-
Section 8.5 Extension; Waiver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-40-
ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-40-
-ii-
<PAGE>
Section 9.1 Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties. . . . . .-40-
Section 9.2 Entire Agreement; Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-40-
Section 9.3 Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-40-
Section 9.4 Governing Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-42-
Section 9.5 Parties in Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-42-
Section 9.6 Specific Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-42-
Section 9.7 Severability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-42-
Section 9.8 Descriptive Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-43-
Section 9.9 Certain Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-43-
Section 9.10 Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-46-
</TABLE>
-iii-
<PAGE>
ACQUISITION AGREEMENT
THIS ACQUISITION AGREEMENT, dated as of March 13, 1998, is among
INTERNATIONAL MUREX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, a British Columbia company
(the "Company"), ABBOTT LABORATORIES, an Illinois corporation ("Parent")
and AAC ACQUISITION LTD., a British Columbia company and an indirect wholly
owned subsidiary of Parent ("Subsidiary").
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Parent, Subsidiary and the Company
have each approved the acquisition of the Company by Parent and Subsidiary
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement;
WHEREAS, in furtherance thereof, it is proposed that Subsidiary shall
make a tender offer to acquire all outstanding common shares, without par
value, of the Company (the "Shares"), for a net cash amount of U.S.$13.00
per Share (such amount, or any greater amount per Share paid pursuant to
the tender offer, being hereinafter referred to as the "Per Share Amount")
in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions provided for
herein (the "Offer");
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has (i)
determined that the consideration to be paid for each Share in the Offer
and the Completion of the Acquisition (as defined in the recital below) is
fair to and in the best interests of the shareholders of the Company and
(ii) approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and
resolved to recommend acceptance of the Offer and approval and, if
necessary, the adoption of this Agreement by the shareholders of the
Company; and
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Parent and Subsidiary have each
approved the completion of the acquisition of the Company by Parent and
Subsidiary (the "Completion of the Acquisition") through either (1) the
acquisition procedure (as contemplated under Section 255 of the BC Act (as
defined along with certain other terms in Section 9.9)) (the "Compulsory
Acquisition") if Subsidiary has purchased enough Shares in the Offer to
permit a Compulsory Acquisition or, if not, (2) an amalgamation,
arrangement or other business combination (as contemplated under the BC
Act) (the "Amalgamation") of Subsidiary with the Company following the
Offer upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in
any other agreement required to effect the Amalgamation.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
covenants and agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally
bound hereby, the Company, Parent and Subsidiary hereby agree as follows.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE I
THE OFFER
Section 1.1 THE OFFER. (a) Provided that this Agreement shall not
have been terminated in accordance with Section 8.1 and no event shall have
occurred or circumstance shall exist which constitutes a failure to satisfy
any of the conditions set forth in Annex A hereto, Subsidiary shall
commence the Offer as promptly as practicable, but in no event later than
the fifth business day following the public announcement of the terms of
this Agreement. The obligation of Subsidiary to accept for payment and pay
for Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer shall be subject to the condition
that a number of Shares representing not less than 75% of the Company's
outstanding voting power (assuming the exercise of all outstanding options
to purchase Shares which options are not subject to binding agreements to
cancel) shall have been validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the
expiration of the Offer (the "Minimum Condition"), and the obligation of
Subsidiary to commence the Offer and accept for payment and pay for Shares
tendered pursuant to the Offer shall be subject to the other conditions set
forth in Annex A hereto. It is agreed that the Minimum Condition and the
other conditions set forth in Annex A hereto are for the sole benefit of
Subsidiary and may be asserted by Subsidiary regardless of the
circumstances giving rise to any such condition. Subsidiary expressly
reserves the right in its sole discretion to waive, in whole or in part, at
any time or from time to time, any such condition, to increase the price
per Share payable in the Offer or to make any other changes in the terms
and conditions of the Offer; PROVIDED that Subsidiary may only waive the
Minimum Condition as long as Subsidiary purchases at least a majority of
the Shares outstanding (assuming the exercise of all outstanding options to
purchase Shares which options are not subject to binding agreements to
cancel) and that, unless previously approved by the Company in writing, no
change may be made that decreases the price per Share payable in the Offer,
changes the form of consideration payable in the Offer, reduces the maximum
number of Shares that Subsidiary offers to purchase in the Offer below a
majority of the Shares outstanding (assuming the exercise of all
outstanding options to purchase Shares which options are not subject to
binding agreements to cancel), imposes conditions to the Offer in addition
to those set forth in Annex A hereto or otherwise amends the terms of the
Offer in any way that would be materially adverse to holders of Shares.
Subject to the next sentence, Subsidiary covenants and agrees that, subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including, without
limitation, the conditions of the Offer set forth in Annex A hereto,
Subsidiary shall accept for payment and pay for Shares which have been
validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer as soon as it is
permitted to do so under applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Subsidiary (i) may extend the Offer to purchase Shares in excess of the
Shares required to satisfy the Minimum Condition up to the tenth business
day following the date on which all conditions to the Offer shall first
have been satisfied or waived, provided that, by virtue of making any such
extension, Subsidiary shall be deemed to waive and thereafter shall not be
entitled to assert any of the conditions to the consummation of the Offer
contained in subsections (b), (c), (d) and (e) to Annex A hereto, (ii)
shall extend the Offer at least until 11:59 p.m. New York City time on the
sixth business day following the delivery to Parent of a Notice of Superior
Proposal (as defined in Section 6.8) and (iii) shall extend the Offer at
least until the expiration of the period set forth
-2-
<PAGE>
in paragraph (d) or (e) of Annex A if a notice of breach has been delivered
in accordance therewith. The Per Share Amount payable in the Offer shall
be paid net to the seller in cash, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of the Offer.
(b) As soon as practicable on the date of commencement of the
Offer, Parent and Subsidiary shall file (i) with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1
with respect to the Offer and (ii) with the appropriate Canadian
authorities any required filings with respect to the Offer, which in the
case of both (i) and (ii) will contain the offer to purchase, form of the
related letter of transmittal and related documents published or filed by
Parent or Subsidiary (together with any supplements or amendments thereto,
the "Offer Documents"). Parent, Subsidiary and the Company each agrees
promptly to correct any information provided by it for use in the Offer
Documents if and to the extent that any such information shall have become
false or misleading in any material respect and Parent and Subsidiary each
further agrees to take all steps necessary to cause the Offer Documents as
so corrected to be filed with the SEC and the appropriate Canadian
authorities and to be disseminated to holders of Shares, in each case as
and to the extent required by applicable laws. The Company and its counsel
shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Offer
Documents prior to their filing with the SEC and the appropriate Canadian
authorities and shall be provided with any comments Parent, Subsidiary and
their counsel may receive from the SEC or the appropriate Canadian
authorities with respect to the Offer Documents promptly after receipt of
such comments.
Section 1.2 COMPANY ACTION. (a) The Company hereby approves of and
consents to the Offer and represents and warrants that the Board, at a
meeting duly called and held on March 15, 1998, unanimously (i) determined
that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the
Offer and the Completion of the Acquisition, are fair to and in the best
interests of the shareholders of the Company, (ii) approved this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Offer and the
Completion of the Acquisition and (iii) resolved to recommend that the
shareholders of the Company accept the Offer, tender their Shares
thereunder to Subsidiary and, if required by applicable law, approve and
adopt this Agreement and the Completion of the Acquisition. The Company
further represents and warrants that Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation ("DLJ") has delivered to the Board its written
opinion dated March 15, 1998 to the effect that, as of the date of such
opinion, subject to the assumptions and limitations expressed therein, the
consideration to be received by the holders of Shares in the Offer and the
Completion of the Acquisition pursuant to this Agreement is fair to such
holders from a financial point of view. The Company hereby consents to the
inclusion in the Offer Documents of the fact of the recommendations of the
Board described in this Section 1.2(a). The Company represents and
warrants that the Board has made appropriate amendments to and
determinations under the Rights Plan (the "Rights Plan Amendments and
Determinations"), including without limitation: (A) an amendment to the
definition of "Acquiring Person" under the Rights Plan to exclude Parent,
Subsidiary and their subsidiaries from that definition; (B) an amendment to
the definition of "Separation Time" under the Rights Plan to provide that
the Separation Time shall not occur by virtue of the execution of this
Agreement or the Shareholder Agreements, the consummation of the
transactions
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contemplated or permitted hereunder or thereunder or the acquisition or
purchase of Shares by Parent, Subsidiary so their subsidiaries and a
determination by the Board to the same effect; and (C) a determination
under Section 1.1(a)(v) by the Board approving the acquisition of Shares by
Parent, Subsidiary or their subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement or the
Shareholder Agreements, or any other acquisition or purchase of Shares by
Parent, Subsidiary or their subsidiaries. The Company further represents
and warrants that, because of the Rights Plan Amendments and
Determinations, (i) the Rights Plan is inapplicable to Parent's and
Subsidiary's entering into this Agreement and the Shareholder Agreements
and (ii) the Rights Plan would not impede or cause an adverse effect on, or
otherwise be applicable to Parent, Subsidiary or any of their subsidiaries
if, Parent, Subsidiary or any of their subsidiaries (A) purchases or
acquires, or proposes to purchase or acquire, any securities of the Company
pursuant to the Offer, the Completion of the Acquisition or the Shareholder
Agreements or (B) purchases or acquires or proposes to purchase or acquire
any securities of the Company or enters into any agreement requiring or
permitting the purchase or acquisition of any securities of the Company
after Parent, Subsidiary or any of their subsidiaries has purchased or has
acquired Shares pursuant to the Offer or upon exercise of an Option (as
defined in each of the Shareholder Agreements).
(b) As soon as practicable on the date of commencement of the
Offer, the Company shall file a combined Solicitation/Recommendation
Statement on Schedule 14D-9 and any Directors' Circular required by
Canadian law (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the
"Board Recommendation Statement"), shall file such Board Recommendation
Statement with both the SEC and the appropriate Canadian authorities and
shall mail the combined Board Recommendation Statement to the shareholders
of the Company at the time of commencement of the Offer, together with the
Offer Documents. The Board Recommendation Statement shall at all times
contain the determinations, approvals and recommendations described in
Section 1.2(a), unless, subject to the requirements of Section 6.8, the
Company's directors determine in good faith, based upon the written advice
of independent legal counsel, that the withdrawal of any of such
determinations is required for the discharge of their fiduciary duties to
shareholders under applicable law. Parent, Subsidiary and the Company each
agrees promptly to correct any information provided by it for use in the
Board Recommendation Statement if and to the extent that any such
information shall have become false or misleading in any material respect.
The Company further agrees to take all steps necessary to cause the Board
Recommendation Statement as so corrected to be filed with the SEC and the
appropriate Canadian authorities and to be disseminated to holders of
Shares, in each case as and to the extent required by applicable U.S.
federal and Canadian securities laws. Parent, Subsidiary and their counsel
shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Board
Recommendation Statement prior to its filing with the SEC and the
appropriate Canadian authorities and shall be provided with any comments
the Company and its counsel may receive from the SEC or the appropriate
Canadian authorities with respect to the Board Recommendation Statement
promptly after receipt of such comments.
(c) In connection with the Offer, the Company will promptly
furnish Subsidiary with mailing labels, security position listings and any
available listing or computer file containing the names and addresses of
the record holders of the Shares as of a recent date
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and shall furnish Subsidiary with such additional information and
assistance (including, without limitation, updated lists of shareholders,
mailing labels and lists of securities positions) as Subsidiary or its
agents may reasonably request in communicating the Offer to the record and
beneficial holders of Shares. Subject to the requirements of applicable
law, and except for such steps as are necessary to disseminate the Offer
Documents and any other documents necessary to consummate the Completion of
the Acquisition, Subsidiary and its affiliates and associates shall hold in
confidence the information contained in any such labels, listings and
files, will use such information only in connection with the Offer and the
Completion of the Acquisition, and, if this Agreement shall be terminated,
will deliver to the Company all copies of such information then in their
possession.
Section 1.3 BOARDS OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES; SECTION 14(f). (a)
Promptly upon the purchase by Subsidiary of Shares pursuant to the Offer
and from time to time thereafter, so long as Parent and Subsidiary are not
in material breach of their respective obligations hereunder, Subsidiary
shall be entitled to designate up to such number of directors, rounded up
to the next whole number, on the Board that equals the product of (i) the
total number of directors on the Board (giving effect to the election of
any additional directors pursuant to this Section) and (ii) the percentage
that the number of Shares owned by Subsidiary and its affiliates (including
any Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer) bears to the total number of
outstanding Shares, and the Company shall, upon request by Subsidiary,
promptly either increase the size of the Board to the extent permitted by
applicable law or use its reasonable best efforts to secure the resignation
of such number of directors as is necessary to enable Subsidiary's
designees to be elected to the Board and shall cause Subsidiary's designees
to be so elected; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that at all times prior to the
Completion of the Acquisition at least two persons who are directors of the
Company as of the date hereof and designated by the Company as soon as
reasonably practicable after the date hereof (or who are designated by such
designated directors) shall be entitled to remain directors of the Company
(the "Continuing Directors"). Promptly upon request by Subsidiary, the
Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause persons designated by
Subsidiary to constitute the same percentage as the number of Subsidiary's
designees to the Board bears to the total number of directors on the Board
on (i) each committee of the Board, (ii) each board of directors or similar
governing body or bodies of each subsidiary of the Company designated by
Subsidiary and (iii) each committee of each such board or body.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, until the completion of the Offer, the
Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that all of the
members of the Board and of such boards, bodies and committees as of the
date hereof who are not employees of the Company shall remain members of
the Board and such boards, bodies and committees. In complying with this
subsection (a) and without restricting the right of the two Continuing
Directors to serve on the Board, the parties shall cause the composition of
the Board and its committees to comply with applicable law and listing
requirements.
(b) The Company's obligations to appoint designees to the Board
shall be subject to Section 14(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and Rule 14f-1 promulgated thereunder.
The Company shall promptly take all actions required pursuant to Section
14(f) and Rule 14f-1 in order to fulfill its obligations under this
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Section 1.3 and shall include in the Board Recommendation Statement such
information with respect to the Company and its officers and directors as
is required under Section 14(f) and Rule 14f-1. Parent or Subsidiary will
supply to the Company in writing and be solely responsible for any
information with respect to either of them and their nominees, officers,
directors and affiliates required by Section 14(f) and Rule 14f-1.
(c) Following the election or appointment of Subsidiary's
designees to the Board pursuant to this Section 1.3 and prior to the
Effective Time, any amendment or modification of this Agreement or the
Articles of Association or Memorandum of Association of the Company, any
termination of this Agreement by the Company, any extension by the Company
of the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of
Parent or Subsidiary, any waiver of any of the Company's rights hereunder
or any other action with respect to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby which is materially adverse to holders of Shares
generally (other than Subsidiary) will require the concurrence of at least
fifty percent of the Continuing Directors.
Section 1.4 COMPANY STOCK OPTIONS. (a) Unless Parent and the
Company make the Option Election (as defined below), the Company shall,
prior to completion of the Offer: (i) use its best efforts to amend each
outstanding stock option, warrant or other right to acquire Shares
("Company Options") or any plans with respect to Company Options to permit
vesting of unvested and exercise of Company Options contingent on
consummation of the Offer; (ii) declare all Company Options to be fully
exercisable and vested prior to the completion of the Offer and contingent
on consummation of the Offer; and (iii) use its best efforts to cause the
holders of Company Options to exercise their Company Options and tender the
Shares so acquired in the Offer.
(b) Parent and the Company may agree, after consulting their
respective counsel, to implement the steps set forth in this Section 1.4(b)
instead of the steps set forth in Section 1.4(a) (the "Option Election").
If the parties make the Option Election: (i) immediately prior to
consummation of the Offer, the Company shall offer to pay to the holder of
each Company Option, in exchange for the agreement by such holder to cancel
his, her or its Company Options, an amount equal to (x) the difference
between the Per Share Amount and the per Share exercise price of such
Company Option, multiplied by (y) the number of Shares underlying such
holder's Company Option; (ii) the Company will use its best efforts to
cause the holders of Company Options to accept the Company's offer set
forth above and enter into appropriate cancellation agreements; and (iii)
Parent shall, immediately following consummation of the Offer, lend to
(subject to any of the Company's contractual restrictions and at the
Applicable Federal Rate) or contribute to the capital of the Company cash
in an amount equal to the amount necessary to satisfy payment by the
Company of the amounts required under this Section 1.4(b).
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(c) The Company, Parent and the Board shall take whatever actions are
required such that, as of the Effective Time, any Company Options not
exercised or canceled pursuant to Section 1.4(a) or 1.4(b) above are
converted into a fully vested and exercisable right to acquire common stock
of Parent in a manner that is substantially consistent with the
requirements applicable to "issuing or assuming a stock option in a
transaction to which section 424(a) applies," as that phrase is defined in
Section 424(a) of the Code (as defined in Section 4.2); provided that the
Company Options (and any replacements) shall not confer on the holders
thereof any rights to acquire securities of the Company. Parent shall
cooperate in whatever actions are required for the Company and the Board to
implement this Section 1.4(c).
ARTICLE II
THE COMPLETION OF THE ACQUISITION
Section 2.1 THE COMPULSORY ACQUISITION. Subject to the satisfaction
or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VII, if after purchasing
Shares in the Offer (and, if Subsidiary chooses to do so, through open
market purchases for 30 days or less), Subsidiary owns enough Shares to
effectuate a Compulsory Acquisition, Subsidiary shall as promptly as
practicable thereafter, effectuate a Compulsory Acquisition in which every
shareholder of the Company other than Subsidiary surrenders his, her or its
ownership of Shares to Subsidiary in exchange for the payment by Subsidiary
to each such shareholder of the Per Share Amount, all in accordance with
the provisions of Section 255 of the BC Act. Subsidiary shall as promptly
as practicable make such filings and take such other actions as are
necessary to implement the Compulsory Acquisition.
Section 2.2 THE AMALGAMATION. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver
of the conditions set forth in Article VII, if after purchasing Shares in
the Offer, Subsidiary does not own enough Shares to effectuate a Compulsory
Acquisition (and has not acquired enough Shares within 30 days through open
market purchases if Subsidiary has chosen to make such open market
purchases), the parties shall as soon as practicable thereafter consummate
the Amalgamation as provided in the remainder of this Section 2.2 and in
Article III and in any amalgamation agreement entered into to effect the
Amalgamation (the "Amalgamation Agreement"). Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, the Amalgamation Agreement and applicable
provisions of the BC Act, at the Effective Time: (i) Subsidiary will
amalgamate with the Company; (ii) the separate existence of Subsidiary and
the Company will cease; and (iii) Amalco will continue as the successor
corporation to the business and undertaking theretofore undertaken by the
Company and Subsidiary. From and after the Effective Time, and without any
further action on the part of any person, the Amalgamation will have all
the effects provided by applicable Legal Requirements, the effects
described in Section 3.1 hereof with respect to the exchange of share
capital and the effects to be set forth in the Amalgamation Agreement.
Section 2.3 MEETING AND VOTING. Parent shall, and shall cause
Subsidiary to, cause all Shares beneficially owned by them to be present
and voting for the purpose of a quorum and to
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be voted affirmatively in favor of the Amalgamation at any meeting or
solicitation of consents with respect thereto.
ARTICLE III
EXCHANGE OF SHARE CAPITAL
Section 3.1 EXCHANGE OF SHARE CAPITAL. At the Effective Time, by
virtue of the Amalgamation and without any action on the part of Parent,
Subsidiary, the Company or the holders of any of the following securities,
the parties agree as follows:
(a) EXCHANGE CONSIDERATION. Each Share outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time (except Shares subject to Section 3.1 (b))
shall be exchanged for one Preference Share as contemplated in the
Amalgamation Agreement. In turn, each Preference Share will be immediately
redeemed by Amalco upon payment to each remaining holder of Shares of the
Per Share Amount for each Share.
(b) SUBSIDIARY-OWNED SHARES. Any Shares issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time and owned directly or indirectly by
Subsidiary, if any, will be canceled and retired, and no consideration will
be delivered in exchange therefor.
(c) SUBSIDIARY EXCHANGE. Each common share of Subsidiary (the
"Subsidiary Common Shares") outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time will be exchanged for an identical number of Amalco common shares.
Section 3.2 EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES.
(a) EXCHANGE AGENT. In the event of either the Compulsory
Acquisition or the Amalgamation, as of the Effective Time, Parent shall
enter into an agreement with a bank or trust company selected by the
Company to act as exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") in connection with
the surrender of certificates that, prior to the Effective Time, evidenced
outstanding Shares ("Share Certificates"). Prior to the Closing Date,
Parent will deposit with the Exchange Agent for exchange in accordance with
this Section 3.2 cash funds, as they are needed, required to pay the Per
Share Amount to all holders of the Shares outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time (other than Shares owned by Parent or any of its
subsidiaries).
(b) EXCHANGE. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time,
Parent will cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each person who was a
holder of record of Shares and Company Options at the Effective Time: (i) a
letter of transmittal (which will specify that delivery will be effective,
and risk of loss and title to any Share Certificates will pass, only upon
delivery of the Share Certificates to the Exchange Agent and will be in
such form and will have such other provisions as are specified by Parent
and reasonably acceptable to the Company); and (ii) instructions for use in
effecting the surrender of Share Certificates in exchange for the
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aggregate Per Share Amount due each holder of Shares at the Effective Time.
Upon surrender of Share Certificates for cancellation to the Exchange Agent
or to such other agent or agents as may be appointed by Parent, together
with such letter of transmittal, duly executed, and such other documents as
may be required by the Exchange Agent or such other agent, the holder of
such Share Certificate will be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the
aggregate amount of the Per Share Amount due each holder of Shares at the
Effective Time and the Share Certificate so surrendered will be canceled.
In the event of a transfer of ownership of Shares that is not registered in
the transfer records of the Company, the aggregate amount of the Per Share
Amount may be paid to a person other than the person in whose name the
surrendered Share Certificate is registered if the Share Certificate
representing such Shares is presented to the Exchange Agent accompanied by
all documents required to evidence and effect such transfer and by evidence
reasonably satisfactory to Parent that any applicable stock transfer tax
has been paid. Parent will not directly or indirectly pay or reimburse any
person for any transfer taxes of the type referred to in the preceding
sentence. If any Per Share Amount to be paid to a person other than the
person in whose name the Share Certificates surrendered in exchange
therefor are registered, it will be a condition to the delivery of such Per
Share Amount that the Share Certificates so surrendered are properly
endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers and otherwise in proper
form for transfer, that such transfer otherwise is proper and that the
person requesting such transfer pays to the Exchange Agent any transfer or
other taxes payable by reason of the foregoing or establishes to the
satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that such taxes have been paid or are
not required to be paid.
(c) CERTIFICATES NOT EXCHANGED. After the Effective Time, each
outstanding Company Share Certificate will, until surrendered for exchange
in accordance with this Section 3.2, be deemed for all purposes to evidence
only the right to receive the aggregate Per Share Amount in respect of such
Share Certificate.
(d) EXPENSES. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
Agreement, Parent will pay all charges and expenses, including those of the
Exchange Agent, in connection with the exchange of the Shares for the
appropriate Per Share Amount, except any charges or expenses that are
otherwise solely the liability of one or more holders of Shares. Any funds
deposited with the Exchange Agent that remain unclaimed by the former
shareholders of the Company after nine (9) months following the Effective
Time will be delivered to Parent upon its demand, and any former
shareholders of the Company who have not then complied with the
instructions for exchanging their Company Share Certificates will
thereafter look only to Parent for exchange payment of the appropriate Per
Share Amount in Share Certificates.
(e) NO LIABILITY. None of Parent, Subsidiary, the Company,
Amalco or the Exchange Agent will be liable to any holder of Shares for any
cash funds delivered to a state or provincial abandoned property
administrator or other public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned
property, escheat or similar law.
(f) LOST CERTIFICATES. If any Share Certificate is lost, stolen
or destroyed, the Exchange Agent will issue in exchange for such lost,
stolen or destroyed Share Certificate the
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aggregate Per Share Amount payable in respect thereof as determined in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, subject to the condition that
the person to whom the Per Share Amount is to be paid shall have (a)
delivered to Parent an affidavit claiming such Share Certificate to be
lost, stolen, or destroyed and (b) if required by Parent, given Parent an
indemnity satisfactory to Parent against any claim that may be made against
Parent with respect to the Share Certificate alleged to have been lost,
stolen or destroyed.
(g) At the consummation of the Offer, the Board of Directors of
the Company shall (i) terminate the ESPP and (ii) notify all participants
thereunder of its termination.
(h) CLOSING OF THE COMPANY'S TRANSFER BOOKS. At the Effective
Time, the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and no
transfer of shall be made thereafter. In the event that, after the
Effective Time, Company Share Certificates are presented to Amalco, they
shall be exchanged for the appropriate Per Share Amount as provided in
Section 3.2(b) hereof.
(i) CLOSING. The closing of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement (the "Closing") will take place (i) at the offices of Mayer,
Brown & Platt, 190 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois, at 9:00 a.m.
local time on the date that is the first business day after the day on
which the last of the conditions set forth in Article VIII (excluding
delivery of opinions and certificates) is fulfilled or waived or (ii) at
such other place and time as Parent and the Company agree in writing. The
date on which the Closing occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the
"Closing Date."
Section 3.3 SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING. The Company, acting through the
Board, shall, in accordance with applicable law as soon as practicable
following the consummation of the Offer:
(i) duly call, give notice of, convene and hold an
annual or special meeting of its shareholders (the "Shareholders'
Meeting") for the purpose of considering the Amalgamation;
(ii) subject to the Board's fiduciary obligations under
applicable law, include in the Proxy Statement for the
Shareholders' Meeting the recommendation of the Board that
shareholders of the Company vote in favor of the approval and
adoption of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby; and
(iii) use its reasonable best efforts (A) to obtain and
furnish the information required to be included by it in the
Proxy Statement and, after consultation with Parent, respond
promptly to any comments made by the SEC or the appropriate
Canadian authorities with respect to the Proxy Statement and any
preliminary version thereof and cause the Proxy Statement to be
mailed to its shareholders at the earliest practicable time
following the consummation of the
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Offer and (B) to obtain the necessary approvals by its shareholders of
the Amalgamation.
Section 3.4 DISSENTING SHARES. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, a shareholder of the Company who did not tender
Shares pursuant to the Offer may exercise the rights granted under the BC
Act to apply to court in connection with the Subsidiary's plan to acquire
any outstanding Shares pursuant to the Compulsory Acquisition. A
shareholder of the Company who did not tender Shares pursuant to the Offer
may exercise rights of dissent in the manner set forth in Section 207 of
the BC Act in connection with the Amalgamation. If, after the Effective
Time, such holder fails to perfect or withdraws or loses his, her or its
right to apply to court to dissent, as applicable, such Shares shall be
treated as if they had been converted, as of the Effective Time, into a
right to receive the Per Share Amount without interest thereon. The
Company shall give Parent prompt notice of any notices or demands received
by the Company for appraisal of Shares, and, prior to the Effective Time,
Parent shall have the right to participate in all negotiations and
proceedings with respect to such demands. Prior to the Effective Time, the
Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Parent, make
any payment with respect to, or settle or offer to settle, any such
demands.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to Parent and Subsidiary as
follows:
Section 4.1 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION; SUBSIDIARIES. (a) Each
of the Company and its subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of
its organization and has all requisite corporate power and authority to
own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now
being conducted, except where the failure to be so organized, existing and
in good standing or to have such power and authority would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the
business, assets, liabilities, results of operations, or financial
condition of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, but
specifically excluding any adverse change in the general economy in the
United States, any adverse change in the diagnostic industry generally, any
adverse change arising from the transactions contemplated hereby and any
adverse change resulting from any change in generally accepted accounting
principles required to be made as a result of the issuance of a new
accounting standard or change to an existing accounting standard (a
"Material Adverse Effect").
(b) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries is duly qualified
or licensed and in good standing to do business in each jurisdiction in
which the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the
business conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary,
except where the failure to be so duly qualified or licensed and in good
standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect.
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(c) The Company has heretofore furnished to Parent complete and
correct copies of the Company's Memorandum of Association and Articles of
Association, each as amended, and the equivalent organizational documents
of each of its subsidiaries, each as amended to the date hereof. Such
Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association and equivalent
organizational documents are in full force and effect and no other
organizational documents are applicable to or binding upon the Company or
its subsidiaries. The Company is not in violation of any of the provisions
of its Memorandum of Association or Articles of Association and no
subsidiary of the Company is in violation of any of the provisions of such
subsidiary's equivalent organizational documents.
(d) The Company has heretofore furnished to Parent a complete
and correct list of all entities in which the Company owns, directly or
indirectly, any equity or voting interest, which list sets forth the amount
of capital stock of or other equity interests in such entities, directly or
indirectly. No entity in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly,
less than a 50% equity interest is, individually or when taken together
with all other such entities, material to the business of the Company and
its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Section 4.2 CAPITALIZATION OF THE COMPANY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES.
The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 200,000,000 Shares
of which, as of March 12, 1998, 16,826,599 Shares were issued and
outstanding (together with the associated common share purchase rights),
16,816 Shares were subject to issuance under a restricted bonus plan and up
to 600,000 shares were authorized for issuance under the ESPP. All
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been validly
issued, and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights.
As of March 12, 1998, Company Options to purchase an aggregate of 1,655,000
Shares were outstanding. Schedule 4.2 sets forth the complete list of all
outstanding Company Options, including the exercise prices thereof, as of
March 12, 1998. Except as set forth above and except pursuant to any
common share purchase rights under the Rights Plan, there are outstanding
(i) no shares of capital stock or other voting securities of the Company,
(ii) no securities of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for
shares of capital stock or voting securities of the Company, (iii) no
options, subscriptions, warrants, convertible securities, calls or other
rights to acquire from the Company, and no obligation of the Company to
issue, deliver or sell any capital stock, voting securities or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting securities of
the Company and (iv) no equity equivalents, interests in the ownership or
earnings of the Company or other similar rights (collectively, "Company
Securities"). None of the Company Options are "incentive stock options"
(within the meaning of section 422 of the United States Federal Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")). There are no outstanding
obligations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem
or otherwise acquire any Company Securities, other than the Company's
obligations hereunder respecting the Company Options. Each of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the Company's subsidiaries
is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and is
directly or indirectly owned by the Company, free and clear of all security
interests, liens, claims, pledges, charges, voting agreements or other
encumbrances of any nature whatsoever (collectively, "Liens"). There are
no existing options, calls or commitments of any character relating to the
issued or unissued capital stock or other securities
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of any subsidiary of the Company. Since March 11, 1998, no Company Options
have been granted and no Shares have been issued except pursuant to Company
Options, the Company's restricted bonus plan and the ESPP as disclosed
above.
Section 4.3 AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT. The Company has
all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the Board and no other
corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize
this Agreement or to consummate the transactions so contemplated (other
than, with respect to the Amalgamation, the approval (i) required by Policy
9.1 of the Ontario Securities Commission ("OSC") and (ii) of the holders of
75% of all outstanding Shares and the filing of the appropriate documents
as required by the BC Act and the federal laws of Canada). This Agreement
has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and
constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms except as such
enforceability may be limited by equity principles, bankruptcy laws and
other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally.
Section 4.4 NON-CONTRAVENTION; REQUIRED FILINGS AND CONSENTS. (a)
The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the
Completion of the Acquisition) do not and shall not (i) contravene or
conflict with the Memorandum of Association or Articles of Association of
the Company or the equivalent organizational documents of any of its
subsidiaries; (ii) assuming that all consents, authorizations and approvals
contemplated by subsection (b) below have been obtained and all filings
described therein have been made, contravene or conflict with or constitute
a violation of any provision of any law, regulation, judgment, injunction,
order or decree binding upon or applicable to the Company, any of its
subsidiaries or any of their respective properties; (iii) conflict with, or
result in the breach or termination of any provision of 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 loss of
any benefit to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is entitled
under any provision of any agreement, contract, license or other instrument
binding upon the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties, or allow the acceleration of the performance of, any
obligation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, lease, license, contract, instrument or other
agreement to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by
which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective
assets or properties is subject or bound; or (iv) result in the creation or
imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, except in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) for any
such contraventions, conflicts, violations, breaches, terminations,
defaults, cancellations, losses, accelerations and Liens which would not
individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect or
materially interfere with the consummation by the Company of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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(b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
(including the Completion of the Acquisition) by the Company require no
action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency,
official or authority (whether domestic, foreign or supranational) other
than (i) the filing of a compulsory acquisition notice, in the case of the
Compulsory Acquisition, or the filing and approval of amalgamation
documents with the British Columbia Registrar of Companies and the filing
and approval of an application to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in
the case of the Amalgamation in accordance with the BC Act and any other
Canadian provincial authorities; (ii) compliance with any applicable
requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended (the "HSR Act"); (iii) compliance with the Canadian Competition
Act; (iv) compliance with the Investment Canada Act; (v) compliance with
any applicable requirements of any laws or regulations relating to the
regulation of monopolies or competition in Germany and compliance with any
applicable requirements of the United Kingdom Fair Trading Act; (vi)
compliance with any applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and state
and provincial securities, takeover and Blue Sky laws; and (vii) such
actions or filings which, if not taken or made, would not, individually or
in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect or materially interfere
with the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
Section 4.5 SEC REPORTS. (a) The Company has filed all required
forms, reports and documents with the SEC and all applicable Canadian
provincial regulators since January 1, 1996 (collectively, the "SEC
Reports"), each of which has complied in all material respects with
applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and the Exchange Act. As of their respective dates,
none of the SEC Reports, including, without limitation, any financial
statements or schedules included therein, contained any untrue statement of
a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The audited
consolidated financial statements and unaudited consolidated interim
financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Reports fairly
present in all material respects, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a consistent basis (except as may be
indicated in the notes thereto), the consolidated financial position of the
Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and their
consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the periods then
ended (subject to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes
in the case of any unaudited interim financial statements). The Company
has heretofore provided complete and correct copies of each of the SEC
Reports to Parent.
(b) Except as reflected or reserved against in the audited
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its subsidiaries at December
31, 1997 the Company and its subsidiaries have no liabilities of any nature
(whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise), except for
liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business since December 31,
1997, or which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect.
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Section 4.6 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES; DERIVATIVES. (a) Since
December 31, 1997, except as specifically disclosed in the SEC Reports
filed prior to the date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of
its subsidiaries has (i) taken any of the actions set forth in Section 6.1
except as permitted thereunder, or (ii) entered into any transaction, or
conducted its business or operations, other than in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice. Since December 31, 1997, there has
not been any event or change related to the Company which has had a
Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Schedule 4.6(b) sets forth a complete and correct list of
all Derivative Financial Instruments (as defined below) (including the
face, contract or notional amount of and any open position relating to such
Derivative Financial Instruments and a brief summary of the nature and
terms thereof) to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party
or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their
respective assets or properties is subject or bound (including, without
limitation, funds of the Company or any of its subsidiaries invested by any
other person). For purposes of this Agreement, "Derivative Financial
Instrument" means any futures, forward, swap, option or swaption contract,
or any other financial instrument with similar characteristics and/or
generally characterized as a "derivative" security.
Section 4.7 BOARD RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT; OFFER DOCUMENTS.
Neither the Board Recommendation Statement, nor any of the information
provided by the Company and/or by its auditors, legal counsel, financial
advisors or other consultants or advisors specifically for use in the Offer
Documents or any supplements or amendments thereto when filed with the SEC
or any Canadian regulatory authority and on the date first published, sent
or given to the Company's shareholders, as the case may be, will contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
Section 4.8 FINDER'S FEE; PROFESSIONAL EXPENSES. Except as set
forth on Schedule 4.8(a), no broker, finder, investment banker or other
intermediary is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or
commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement based upon arrangements made by and on behalf of the Company.
The maximum amounts payable to each such person is set forth on Schedule
4.8(a). The Company has heretofore furnished to Parent a complete and
correct copy of all agreements between the Company and the persons
identified on Schedule 4.8(a) pursuant to which such persons would be
entitled to any payment relating to the transactions contemplated hereby.
The maximum amount paid, payable or to become payable by the Company or any
of its subsidiaries to any attorney, financial advisor, broker, consultant,
accountant or other advisor ("Professionals") other than Willkie, Farr &
Gallagher in connection with the evaluation, negotiation, execution or
performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated to be effected pursuant hereto will not exceed U.S.$8 million
(other than such amounts payable to accountants in connection with the
Company complying with the provisions of this Agreement). Since December
31, 1997, and other than ordinary course expenses consistent with the
historical amounts and frequency reflected in the financial statements
contained in the SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof, the Company
has not incurred, and will not incur any costs, fees or
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expenses (i) as of the date hereof related to the services of Professionals
for any other purpose in excess of U.S.$1,750,000, which amount is
summarized on Schedule 4.8(b) or (ii) payable to Willkie, Farr & Gallagher
other than the amount set forth on Schedule 4.8(a).
Section 4.9 ABSENCE OF LITIGATION. There is no action, suit,
claim, investigation or proceeding (or, to the knowledge of the Company,
any basis for any person to assert any claim likely to result in liability
or any other adverse determination) pending against, or to the knowledge of
the Company, threatened against or affecting, the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or any of their respective properties before any court or
arbitrator or any administrative, regulatory or governmental body, or any
agency or official (collectively, "Litigation"), that individually or in
the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. The Company and its subsidiaries are not party to any Litigation
initiated by them other than Litigation with Parent or its subsidiaries or
in connection with the collection of accounts receivable in the ordinary
course of business. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, as
of the date hereof, there is no Litigation to which the Company or any of
its subsidiaries is a party that (i) in any manner challenges or seeks to
prevent, enjoin, alter or delay the Offer or the Completion of the
Acquisition or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby; or (ii)
alleges criminal action or inaction by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. As of the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries nor any of their respective properties is subject to any
order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award having,
or which would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect or
which would prevent or delay the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
Section 4.10 TAXES. (a) All material federal, state, provincial,
local, foreign and other governmental Tax (as defined below) returns,
reports, information returns and statements of the Company and each of its
subsidiaries (including any consolidated Tax returns that include the
income or loss of the Company or any of its subsidiaries) required by law
to be filed or sent as of the Effective Time have been or shall be duly
filed or sent, and such returns, reports and statements are or shall be
true, complete and correct in all material respects. All material federal,
provincial, state, local, foreign and other governmental taxes,
assessments, fees and similar charges, including without limitation,
income, gross receipts, net proceeds, alternative or add-on minimum, ad
valorem, value added, turnover, sales, use, property, personal property
(tangible and intangible), stamp, leasing, lease, user, excise, duty,
franchise, transfer, license, withholding, payroll, employment, fuel,
excess profits, environmental, occupational and interest equalization,
windfall profits, severance, and other charges (including interest and
penalties) (collectively, "Taxes") imposed upon the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or any of the properties, assets or income of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries which are due and payable through the Effective
Time or claimed by any taxing authority to be due and payable through the
Effective Time have been or shall be paid or reserved for, or adequate
provision shall be made therefor, as of the Effective Time, other than
Taxes being contested in good faith by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries concerning an aggregate amount which is not material to the
business of the Company or such of its subsidiaries. The most recent
financial statements contained in the SEC
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Reports reflect an adequate Tax reserve in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.
(b) As of the date hereof, (i) there are no material Tax claims
pending against the Company or any of its subsidiaries and the Company has
no knowledge of any threatened claim for material Tax deficiencies or any
basis for such claims, (ii) no Tax returns for the Company or any of its
subsidiaries have been or are currently being audited by any taxing
authority, (iii) to the Company's knowledge, there are no material issues
have been raised in any examination by any taxing authority with respect to
the Company or any of its subsidiaries which, by application of similar
principles, reasonably could be expected to result in a proposed deficiency
for any other period not so examined and (iv) there are not now in force
any waivers or agreements by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for the
extension of time for the assessment of any material Tax, nor has any such
waiver or agreement been requested by the Internal Revenue Service, Revenue
Canada or any other taxing authority. The statute of limitations with
respect to any year or period to and including the fiscal year ended 1991
has expired.
(c) The Company and all of its subsidiaries have paid or are
withholding and shall pay when due to the proper taxing authorities all
material withholding amounts required to be withheld with respect to all
Taxes, including without limitation, sales and use Taxes and Taxes on
income or benefits and Taxes for unemployment, social security or other
similar programs with respect to salary and other compensation of
directors, officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.
(d) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any
liability for any material federal, provincial, state, local, foreign or
other Taxes of any corporation or entity other than the Company and its
subsidiaries, including without limitation any liability arising from the
application of U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 or any analogous
provision of provincial, state, local or foreign law.
(e) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is or has
been a party to any material Tax sharing agreement with any corporation
other than the Company and its subsidiaries.
(f) To the best of the Company's knowledge and as of the date
hereof, no person who holds five (5) percent or more of the stock of the
Company is a "foreign person" as defined in Section 1445(f)(3) of the Code.
Section 4.11 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. (a) Schedule 4.11(a) contains a
true and complete list of each material bonus, deferred compensation,
incentive compensation, stock purchase, stock option, severance or
termination pay, hospitalization or other medical, life, disability or
other insurance, supplemental unemployment benefits, fringe benefit,
profit-sharing, pension, or retirement plan, program, agreement or
arrangement, each material employment agreement and each other material
employee benefit plan, program, agreement or arrangement sponsored,
maintained or contributed to or required to be contributed to by the
Company, or by
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any trade or business, whether or not incorporated (an "ERISA Affiliate"),
that together with the Company would be deemed a "single employer" within
the meaning of section 4001 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), or with respect to which the Company or any
ERISA Affiliate has any liability or contingent liability (collectively,
the "Plans" and, individually, a "Plan"), whether or not any such Plan is
subject to ERISA. Schedule 4.11(a) identifies each of the Plans that is an
"employee benefit plan" as that term is defined in section 3(3) of ERISA
(the "ERISA Plans").
(b) Other than with respect to the matters addressed in Section
4.11(p) below, the Company has heretofore delivered to Parent true and
complete copies of each of the Plans and all material contracts relating
thereto, or to the funding thereof, including, without limitation, all
material trust agreements, insurance contracts, administration contracts,
investment management agreements, subscription and participation
agreements, and recordkeeping agreements, each as in effect on the date
hereof. In the case of any Plan which is not in written form, Parent has
been supplied with an accurate description of such Plan as in effect on the
date hereof. A true and correct copy of the most recent annual report,
actuarial report, accountant's opinion of the Plan's financial statements,
and Internal Revenue Service determination letter with respect to each
Plan, to the extent applicable, and a current schedule of assets (and the
fair market value thereof assuming liquidation of any asset which is not
readily tradable) held with respect to any funded Plan has been supplied to
the Parent, and there have been no material changes in the financial
condition in the respective Plans from that stated in the annual reports
and actuarial reports supplied.
(c) None of the Plans is subject to title IV of ERISA and none
of the Plans is a multiemployer plan (as defined in section 3(37) of
ERISA).
(d) With respect to any Plan subject to ERISA, neither the
Company nor any ERISA Affiliate, nor any Plan, nor any trust created
thereunder, nor any trustee or administrator thereof has engaged in a
prohibited transaction (as defined in section 406 of ERISA or section 4975
of the Code) with respect to any such Plan nor have there been any other
prohibited transactions with respect to any such Plans.
(e) Each Plan complies and has been operated and administered in
form and operation in all material respects in accordance with its terms
and applicable law, including but not limited to ERISA and the Code, and no
event has occurred which will or could cause any Plan to fail to comply
with such requirements and no notice has been issued by any governmental
authority questioning or challenging such compliance.
(f) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11(f), each Plan which is
an "employee pension benefit plan" (as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA)
complies in form and in operation with all applicable requirements of
sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code; there have been no amendments to
any such Plan which are not the subject of a favorable determination letter
issued with respect thereto by the Internal Revenue Service; and no event
has occurred which will or could give rise to disqualification of any such
Plan under such sections or to a tax under section
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511 of the Code. Each ERISA Plan which is a "voluntary employees'
beneficiary association" (within the meaning of section 501(c)(9) of the
Code) is the subject of a favorable determination letter issued with
respect thereto by the Internal Revenue Service, a copy of which has been
heretofore provided to Parent, and no event has occurred which will or
could give rise to loss of any such Plan's exemption from taxation under
section 501(a) of the Code or to a tax under section 511 of the Code.
(g) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11(g), none of the assets
of any Plan are invested in employer securities or employer real property.
(h) There have been no acts or omissions by the Company or any
ERISA Affiliate which have given rise to or may give rise to fines,
penalties, taxes or related charges under section 502 of ERISA or Chapters
43, 47, 68 or 100 of the Code for which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate
may be liable.
(i) Actuarially adequate accruals for all obligations under the
Plans are reflected in the financial statements of the Company.
(j) Each Plan which is intended to be "qualified" within the
meaning of section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and the trusts
maintained thereunder are exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the
Code.
(k) The Company has the right to amend or terminate any Plan.
(l) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11(l), no Plan provides
benefits, including without limitation, death or medical benefits (whether
or not insured), with respect to current or former employees of the Company
or any ERISA Affiliate beyond their retirement or other termination of
service (other than (i) coverage mandated by applicable law or (ii) death
benefits or retirement benefits under any employee pension benefit plan).
(m) Except as provided in Schedule 4.11(m), the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not (i) entitle any
current or former employee or officer of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate
to severance pay, unemployment compensation or any other payment, except as
expressly provided in this Agreement or (ii) accelerate the time of payment
or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due any such employee or
officer.
(n) As of the date hereof, there are no pending (or, to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened or anticipated) material claims by, on
behalf of, or against any Plan, by any employee or beneficiary covered
under any such Plan, or otherwise involving any such Plan (other than
routine claims for benefits).
(o) Except for the options listed in Schedule 4.2 under the
heading, "Outside of any Plan" each of the outstanding Company Options was
granted under the International
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Murex Technologies Corporation Amended and Restated Employee Equity
Incentive Plan (the "Equity Incentive Plan") and, (except for the name and
address of the grantee, the date, the exercise price, the vesting schedule,
the number of Shares subject to the option, and the expiration date) is
evidenced by an award agreement that is identical in all material respects
to one of the two award agreements attached to Schedule 4.11(o)(1). Except
for the name and address of the grantee, the date, the exercise price, the
number of Shares subject to the option, and the expiration date, each of
the options listed in Schedule 4.2 under the heading "Outside of any Plan"
is evidenced by an option agreement that is identical in all material
respects to the option agreement attached to Schedule 4.11(o)(2).
Section 4.12 COMPLIANCE. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries is in violation of, or has violated, any applicable provisions
of (i) any laws, rules, statutes, orders, ordinances or regulations or (ii)
any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license,
permit, franchise, or other instrument or obligations to which the Company
or its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or its or any of their respective properties are bound or
affected, which in either case, individually or in the aggregate, would
result in a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in
violation of, or has violated any applicable provisions of the Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act, the Trading with the Enemy Act, the Anti-Economic
Discrimination Act, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the
Export Administration Regulations or any law or regulation relating to
Medicare or Medicaid anti-kickback fraud and abuse or any Canadian
equivalent of the foregoing.
Section 4.13 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. (a) The Company and its
subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws
(which compliance includes, but is not limited to, the possession by the
Company and its subsidiaries of all permits and other governmental
authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws, and compliance
with the terms and conditions thereof), except for any noncompliance that
individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
has received any communication (written or oral), whether from a
governmental authority, citizens group, employee or otherwise, that alleges
that the Company or any of its subsidiaries is not in such compliance, and
there are no present actions, activities, circumstances, conditions, events
or incidents that may prevent or interfere with such compliance in the
future which, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(b) There is no Environmental Claim pending or, to the knowledge
of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
or, to the knowledge of the Company, against any person or entity whose
liability for any Environmental Claim the Company or any of its
subsidiaries has or may have retained or assumed either contractually or by
operation of law, which individually or in the aggregate would reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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(c) There are no present actions, activities, circumstances,
conditions, events or incidents (including, without limitation, the
release, emission, discharge, presence or disposal of any Hazardous
Material) which could form the basis of any Environmental Claim against the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, or, to the knowledge of the Company,
against any person or entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim
the Company or any of its subsidiaries has or may have retained or assumed
either contractually or by operation of law, which individually or in the
aggregate would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has, and to
the knowledge of Company, no other person has Released (as defined below),
placed, stored, buried or dumped Hazardous Materials or any other wastes
(including, but not limited to, biological wastes) produced by, or
resulting from, any business, commercial or industrial activities,
operations or processes, on, beneath or adjacent to any property owned,
operated or leased or formerly owned, operated or leased by the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, and neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has received notice that it is a potentially responsible party
for the Cleanup of any property, whether or not owned or operated by the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, which individually or in the aggregate
would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) The Company has no material reports, studies, analyses,
tests or monitoring possessed or initiated by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries pertaining to Hazardous Materials in, on, beneath or adjacent
to the property owned or leased by the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or regarding the Company's and its subsidiaries' compliance with applicable
Environmental Laws.
(f) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.13, no transfers of
material permits or other material governmental authorizations under
Environmental Laws, and no additional material permits or other material
governmental authorizations under Environmental Laws, will be required to
permit the Company and its subsidiaries, as the case may be, to be in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws
immediately following the transactions contemplated hereby.
(g) To the knowledge of the Company, as of the date hereof,
there is not any noncompliance, allegation of noncompliance, pending or
threatened Environmental Claim, actions, circumstances, conditions, events,
incidents, Releases, placement, storage, burial or dumping described in
paragraphs (a) through (d) above which represents a current liability or
could reasonably be expected to result in liability exceeding $200,000 in
the aggregate, other than as disclosed in the SEC Reports filed prior to
the date hereof.
Section 4.14 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
(a) Schedule 4.14(a) sets forth a complete list of all patents,
all material patent applications, all trademarks and all service marks
owned by the Company and each of its subsidiaries. The Company warrants
that the Company or one of its subsidiaries is the sole owner of the
property identified in Schedule 4.14(a), and that the Company and its
subsidiaries
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have not granted or promised to grant any exclusive licenses or any
material non-exclusive licenses or covenants not to sue thereunder to any
third party (other than to Parent or its subsidiaries and other than
trademark or service mark licenses entered into in the ordinary course of
business under distribution and supply agreements).
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14(b): (1) the Company
and each of its subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use (in each case,
free and clear of any Liens in respect of the Company's or any of its
subsidiaries' interests therein) all Intellectual Property (as defined
below) used in or necessary for the conduct of its business as currently
conducted; (2) the use of any Intellectual Property by the Company and its
subsidiaries does not infringe on or otherwise violate the rights of any
person; (3) no product (or component thereof or process) used, sold or
manufactured by the Company or any of its subsidiaries infringes or
otherwise violates the Intellectual Property of any other person; and (4)
no person is challenging, infringing on or otherwise violating any right of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to any Intellectual
Property owned by and/or licensed to the Company and its subsidiaries,
except for (2) through (4) as would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing in parts (b)(2), (b)(3)
and (b)(4) hereof, except as set forth on Schedule 4.14(b), the use, sale
and/or manufacture by Company and its subsidiaries of microtitre products,
LiPA products, rapid HIV diagnostic products, and bacteriology products,
does not constitute a material violation of the rights or Intellectual
Property of any other person. For purposes of this Agreement "Intellectual
Property" shall mean trademarks, service marks, brand names, certification
marks, trade dress, assumed names, trade names and other indications of
origin, the goodwill associated with the foregoing and registrations in any
jurisdiction of, and applications in any jurisdiction to register, the
foregoing, including any extension, modification or renewal of any such
registration or application; inventions, discoveries and ideas, whether
patentable or not in any jurisdiction; patents, applications for patents
(including, without limitation, division, continuations, continuations in
part and renewal applications), and any renewals, extensions or reissues
thereof, in any jurisdiction; nonpublic information, trade secrets and
confidential information and rights in any jurisdiction to limit the use or
disclosure thereof by any person; writings and other works, whether
copyrightable or not in any jurisdiction; registrations or applications for
registration of copyrights in any jurisdiction, and any renewals or
extensions thereof; any similar intellectual property or proprietary
rights; and any claims or causes of action arising out of or related to any
infringement or misappropriation of any of the foregoing.
Section 4.15 SIGNIFICANT AGREEMENTS. Schedule 4.15, Section A, sets
forth a complete and correct list of all of the following contracts,
agreements, indentures, leases, mortgages, licenses, plans, arrangements,
understandings, commitments (whether oral or written) and instruments
(collectively, "Contracts") in effect as of the date hereof: (i) each
Contract filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and that would be required to
be filed by the Company as an exhibit to an Annual Report Form 10-K under
applicable rules and regulations of the SEC; (ii) any Contract (other than
the leases) that are material to the business of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole (it being understood that, for the purposes
hereof, any Contracts not calling for annual payments in excess of
U.S.$500,000 in the next 12 months or for aggregate payments in excess
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of U.S.$5,000,000 or any Contracts terminable by the Company or its
subsidiaries without payment or penalty on 90 days' notice or less shall
not be deemed to be material); and (iii) any Contract relating to
Intellectual Property and set forth on Schedule 4.15, Section C (the
contracts, agreements and commitments listed in Schedule 4.15,
collectively, the "Significant Agreements"). Except as noted on Schedule
4.15, the Company has heretofore furnished to Parent complete and correct
copies of the Significant Agreements, each as amended or modified to the
date hereof (including any waivers with respect thereto). Except as set
forth on Schedule 4.15 or pursuant to Significant Agreements or as set
forth in the SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof, since December 31,
1997, there have been no transactions between the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the other parties to the Significant
Agreements or any of their respective affiliates, on the other hand, other
than transactions in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice. As of the date hereof, each of the Significant Agreements is in
full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms subject
to equity principles and bankruptcy laws and other similar laws effecting
creditors' rights generally. As of the date hereof, neither the Company
nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice (written or oral) of
cancellation or termination of, or any expression or indication of an
intention or desire to cancel or terminate, any of the Significant
Agreements. As of the date hereof, no Significant Agreement is the subject
of, or, to the Company's knowledge, has been threatened to be made the
subject of, any arbitration, suit or other legal proceeding. As of the
date hereof, with respect to any Significant Agreement which by its terms
will terminate as of a certain date unless renewed or unless an option to
extend such Significant Agreement is exercised, neither the Company nor any
of its subsidiaries has received any notice (written or oral), or otherwise
has any knowledge, that any such Significant Agreement shall not be, or is
not likely to be, so renewed or that any such extension option shall not be
exercised. As of the date hereof, there exists no event of default or
occurrence, condition or act on the part of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, on the part of the other
parties to the Significant Agreements which constitutes or would constitute
(with notice or lapse of time or both) a breach of or default under any of
the Significant Agreements and which, individually or in the aggregate,
would have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the date hereof, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company and its subsidiaries
are not in material breach or default of any of the terms of any of the
agreements identified on Schedule 4.15, Section C. Except as set forth on
Schedule 4.15, Section B, the execution, delivery and performance by the
Company of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby do not and shall not conflict with, or result in the
breach or termination of any provision of 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 loss of any benefit to
which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is entitled under any
provision of any Significant Agreement.
Section 4.16 INSURANCE. Schedule 4.16 sets forth a complete and
correct list of all material insurance policies in effect as of the date
hereof (including a brief summary of the nature and terms thereof and any
amounts paid or payable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries
thereunder) providing coverage in favor of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or any of their respective properties. Each such policy is in
full force and effect, no notice of
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termination, cancellation or reservation of rights has been received with
respect to any such policy, to the knowledge of the Company there is no
default with respect to any provision contained in any such policy, and
there has not been any failure to give any notice or present any claim
under any such policy in a timely fashion or in the manner or detail
required by any such policy, except for any such failures to be in full
force and effect, any such terminations, cancellations, reservations or
defaults, or any such failures to give notice or present claims which,
individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect. The coverage provided by such policies is
reasonable in scope and amount, in light of the risks attendant to the
business and activities of the Company and its subsidiaries except for such
absences of coverage which would not, individually or in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.17 PROPERTIES. The Company and its subsidiaries do not
own any real property. As of the date hereof, to the knowledge of the
Company, the plants and buildings of the Company and its subsidiaries used
in the operation of their business are structurally sound, have no known
material defects and are in good operating condition and repair (normal
wear and tear excepted). Schedule 4.17 sets forth a complete list of all
material real property and personal property leases of the Company and its
subsidiaries. All such leases are valid, binding and enforceable against
the Company and its subsidiaries (and, to the knowledge of the Company,
against each other party thereto) in accordance with their respective
terms, and there does not exist, under any lease of real property or
personal property calling for annual payments exceeding $100,000 or more,
any material defect or any event which, with notice or lapse of time or
both, would constitute a material default by the Company or its
subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, by any other party
thereto except for such third party breaches as would not have a Material
Adverse Effect and except as such enforceability may be limited by equity
principles, bankruptcy laws and other similar laws affecting creditors'
rights generally.
Section 4.18 LABOR MATTERS. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.18,
as of the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a
party to any collective bargaining or other labor union contract applicable
to more than 10 persons employed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
no collective bargaining agreement is being negotiated by the Company or
any of its subsidiaries and the Company has no knowledge of any activities
or proceedings of any labor union to organize any of their respective
employees. There is no labor dispute, strike or work stoppage against the
Company or any of its subsidiaries pending or, to the Company's knowledge,
threatened which may interfere with the respective business activities of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except where such dispute, strike
or work stoppage would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
Section 4.19 REGULATORY MATTERS.
(a) (i) With respect to each product that is, directly or indirectly,
being (i) researched for human diagnostics or (ii) distributed for
commercial sale by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (the "Products"):
(a)(i)(A) the Company and its subsidiaries have obtained all applicable
approvals, clearances, authorizations, licenses and registrations required
by United
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States or foreign governments or government agencies, to permit the
manufacture, distribution, sale (including reimbursement and pricing),
marketing or human research of such Product (collectively, "Licenses"); (B)
the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects
with all terms and conditions of each License in each country in which such
Product is marketed, and with all requirements pertaining to the
manufacture, distribution, sale or human research of such Product which is
not required to be the subject of a License; (C) the Company and its
subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable
requirements (as set forth in relevant statutes and regulations) regarding
registration, licensure or notification for each site (in any country) at
which such Product is manufactured, processed, packed, held for
distribution or from which it is distributed; and (D) to the extent such
Product is intended for export from the United States, the Company and its
subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with either all
United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") requirements for
marketing or 21 U.S.C. Section 381(e) or 382; (ii) all manufacturing
operations performed by the Company and its subsidiaries have been and are
being conducted in full compliance with the current good manufacturing
practice, including, but not limited to, the good manufacturing practice
regulations issued by the FDA and counterpart requirements in the European
Union and other countries; (iii) all nonclinical laboratory studies, as
described in 21 C.F.R. Section 58.3(d), sponsored by the Company or any of
its subsidiaries have been and are being conducted in full compliance with
the good laboratory practice regulations set forth in 21 C.F.R. Part 58 and
counterpart requirements in the European Union and other countries; and
(iv) the Company and its subsidiaries are in full compliance with all
reporting requirements for all Licenses or plant registrations described in
the preceding clauses (a)(i)(A) and (a)(i)(C), including, but not limited
to, the adverse event reporting requirements for drugs in 21 C.F.R. Parts
312 and 314 and for devices in 21 C.F.R. Parts 812 and 803; except, in the
case of the preceding clauses (a)(i)(A) through (a)(i)(D), inclusive,
(a)(ii), (a)(iii) and (a)(iv), for any such failures to obtain or
noncompliance which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing
definition of "Licenses", such definition shall specifically include, with
respect to the United States, new drug applications, abbreviated new drug
applications, product license applications, investigational new drug
applications, premarket approval applications, premarket notifications
under Section 510(k) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act,
investigational device exemptions, and product export applications issued
by the FDA, as well as registrations issued by the Drug Enforcement
Administration of the Department of Justice.
(b) The Company will provide to Parent as promptly as practicable
after the date hereof a complete and correct list of all Products as of the
date hereof other than those not representing annual revenue in excess of
U.S. $100,000 unless the aggregate annual revenue of all excluded Products
exceeds U.S. $10,000,000.
(c) To the knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of
its subsidiaries nor any of their officers, employees or agents has made
any untrue statement of a material fact or fraudulent statement to the FDA
or any foreign equivalent, failed to disclose a fact required to be
disclosed to the FDA or any foreign equivalent, or committed any act, made
any statement, or failed to make any statement, that would reasonably be
expected to provide a basis for the FDA
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and any foreign equivalent to invoke its policy respecting, "Fraud, Untrue
Statements of Material Facts, Bribery, and Illegal Gratuities," set forth
in 56 Fed. Reg. 46191 (September 10, 1991).
Section 4.20 VOTING REQUIREMENTS. The affirmative vote (i) required
by Policy 9.1 of the OSC and (ii) of the holders of 75% of all outstanding
Shares present and voting and the filing of the appropriate documents as
required by the BC Act and the federal laws of Canada) respecting the
Amalgamation is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of
Company Securities necessary to approve this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND SUBSIDIARY
Each of Parent and Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Company
as follows:
Section 5.1 ORGANIZATION. Each of Parent and Subsidiary is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the state or province of its incorporation and has all requisite
corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and
to carry on its business as now being conducted, except where the failure
to be so organized, existing and in good standing or to have such power and
authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, materially and
adversely affect Parent's and Subsidiary's ability to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 5.2 AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT. Each of Parent
and Subsidiary has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute
and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the boards of
directors of Subsidiary and Parent and by the sole shareholder of
Subsidiary, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Parent or
Subsidiary are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the
transactions so contemplated. This Agreement has been duly and validly
executed and delivered by each of Parent and Subsidiary and constitutes a
legal, valid and binding agreement of each of Parent and Subsidiary,
enforceable against each of Parent and Subsidiary in accordance with its
terms except as such enforceability may be limited by equity principles and
by bankruptcy laws and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally.
Section 5.3 NON-CONTRAVENTION; REQUIRED FILINGS AND CONSENTS. (a)
The execution, delivery and performance by Parent and Subsidiary of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
(including the Completion of the Acquisition) do not and shall not (i)
contravene or conflict with the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of
Parent or the Articles of Association or Memorandum of Association of
Subsidiary; (ii) assuming that all consents, authorizations and approvals
contemplated by subsection (b) below have been obtained and all filings
described therein have been made, contravene or conflict with or constitute
a
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violation of any provision of any law, regulation, judgment, injunction,
order or decree binding upon or applicable to Parent or Subsidiary or any
of their respective properties; (iii) conflict with, or result in the
breach or termination of any provision of 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 loss of any benefit to
which Parent or Subsidiary is entitled under any provision of any
agreement, contract, license or other instrument binding upon Parent,
Subsidiary or any of their respective properties, or allow the acceleration
of the performance of, any obligation of Parent or Subsidiary under any
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, license, contract, instrument or
other agreement to which Parent or Subsidiary is a party or by which Parent
or Subsidiary or any of their respective assets or properties is subject or
bound; or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any
asset of Parent or Subsidiary, except in the case of clauses (ii), (iii)
and (iv) for any such contraventions, conflicts, violations, breaches,
terminations, defaults, cancellations, losses, accelerations and Liens
which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected
to prevent or materially impair the ability of Parent and Subsidiary to
consummate the Offer and the Completion of the Acquisition.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by Parent and
Subsidiary of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby (including the Completion of the Acquisition) by Parent
and Subsidiary require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any
governmental body, agency, official or authority (whether domestic, foreign
or supranational) other than (i) the filing of a compulsory acquisition
notice, in the case of the Compulsory Acquisition, or the filing of
amalgamation documents with the British Columbia Registrar of Companies and
the filing and approval of an application to the Supreme Court of British
Columbia in the case of the Amalgamation in accordance with the BC Act and
any other Canadian provinical authorities; (ii) compliance with any
applicable requirements of the HSR Act; (iii) compliance with the Canadian
Competition Act; (iv) compliance with the Investment Canada Act and any
other Canadian provincial authorities; (v) compliance with any applicable
requirements of any laws or regulations relating to the regulation of
monopolies or competition in Germany and compliance with any applicable
requirements of the United Kingdom Fair Trading Act, (vi) compliance with
any applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and state and provincial
securities, takeover and Blue Sky laws; and (vii) such actions or filings
which, if not taken or made, would not, individually or in the aggregate,
materially interfere with the consummation by Parent and Subsidiary of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 5.4 OFFER DOCUMENTS; BOARD RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT; PROXY
STATEMENT. Neither the Offer Documents, nor any of the information
provided by Parent or Subsidiary and/or by their auditors, legal counsel,
financial advisors or other consultants or advisors specifically for use in
the Board Recommendation Statement shall, on the respective dates on which
the Offer Documents, the Board Recommendation Statement or any supplements
or amendments thereto are filed with the SEC or the appropriate Canadian
authorities or on the date first published, sent or given to the Company's
shareholders, as the case may be, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which
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they were made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither
Parent nor Subsidiary makes any representation or warranty with respect to
any information provided by the Company and/or by its auditors, legal
counsel, financial advisors or other consultants or advisors specifically for
use in the Offer Documents. None of the information provided by or prepared
by Parent or Subsidiary and/or by their auditors, attorneys, financial
advisors or other consultants or advisors specifically for use in the Proxy
Statement shall, at the time filed with the SEC or any appropriate Canadian
authority, at the time mailed to the Company's shareholders, at the time of
the Shareholders' Meeting or at the Effective Time, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The
Offer Documents shall comply as to form in all material respects with the
provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Section 5.5 NO PRIOR ACTIVITIES. Since the date of its
incorporation, neither Subsidiary nor Amalco has not engaged in any
activities other than in connection with or as contemplated by this
Agreement or in connection with arranging any financing required to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 5.6 FINANCING. Subsidiary has or shall have available to
it all funds necessary to satisfy its obligations hereunder, including,
without limitation, the obligation to pay the Per Share Amount pursuant to
the Offer and the Completion of the Acquisition and to pay all related fees
and expenses in connection with the Offer and the Completion of the
Acquisition.
Section 5.7 NO SHARE OWNERSHIP. Immediately prior to the execution
of this Agreement, neither Parent nor Subsidiary is the beneficial or
record owner of any Shares.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS
Section 6.1 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY. Except as
otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, during the period from the
date hereof to the time Subsidiary's designees are elected as directors of
the Company pursuant to Section 1.3, the Company and its subsidiaries shall
each conduct its operations in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice, and the Company and its subsidiaries shall each use its
reasonable best efforts to preserve intact its business organization, to
keep available the services of its officers and employees and to maintain
existing relationships with licensors, licensees, suppliers, contractors,
distributors, customers and others having business relationships with it.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and except as otherwise
expressly provided in this Agreement, prior to the Effective Time, neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall, without the prior written
consent of Subsidiary, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or
delayed:
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(a) amend or propose to amend its Articles of Association or
Memorandum of Association or equivalent organizational documents, or
increase or propose to increase the number of directors of the Company;
(b) authorize for issuance, issue, sell, deliver or agree or
commit to issue, sell or deliver (whether through the issuance or granting
of options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions, rights to purchase or
otherwise) any stock of any class or any other securities or equity
equivalents (including, without limitation, stock appreciation rights),
except (i) under the ESPP, (ii) the issuance of up to 16,816 Shares
pursuant to the Company's bonus plan or (iii) as required by option
agreements as in effect as of the date hereof, or amend any of the terms of
any such securities or agreements outstanding as of the date hereof;
(c) split, combine or reclassify any shares of its capital
stock, declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution
(whether in cash, stock, or property or any combination thereof) in respect
of its capital stock, or redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any of its
securities or any securities of its subsidiaries;
(d) (i) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any
debt securities or, except in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice, assume, guarantee or endorse the obligations of any
other person (other than to wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company); (ii)
make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in,
any other person (other than to wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company);
(iii) pledge or otherwise encumber shares of capital stock of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries; or (iv) except in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice, mortgage or pledge any of its
assets, tangible or intangible, or create or suffer to exist any Lien
thereupon other than Permitted Liens;
(e) enter into, adopt or (except as may be required by law)
amend or terminate any bonus, profit sharing, compensation, severance,
termination, stock option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock,
performance unit, stock equivalent, stock purchase agreement, pension,
retirement, deferred compensation, employment, severance or other employee
benefit agreement, trust, plan, fund or other arrangement for the benefit
or welfare of any director, officer or employee, or (except, in the case of
employees who are not officers or directors, for normal compensation
increases in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
that, in the aggregate, do not result in a material increase in benefits or
compensation expense to the Company) increase in any manner the
compensation or benefits of any director, officer or employee or pay any
benefit not required by any plan or arrangement as in effect as of the date
hereof (including, without limitation, the granting or repricing of stock
options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights or performance units);
(f) acquire, sell, lease, encumber, transfer or dispose of any
assets outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice or any assets which in the aggregate are material to the Company
and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or enter into any contract,
agreement, commitment or transaction outside the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice;
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(g) except as may be required as a result of a change in law or
in generally accepted accounting principles, change any of the accounting
principles or practices used by it;
(h) (i) acquire (by amalgamation, merger, consolidation or
acquisition of stock or assets) any corporation, partnership or other
business organization or division thereof; (ii) authorize any new capital
expenditure or expenditures which, individually, is in excess of
U.S.$200,000 between the date hereof and March 31, 1998 and, thereafter, in
excess of the amounts set forth in the monthly capital budgets to be
prepared by the Company and approved by Parent in its reasonable
discretion; (iii) settle any litigation; or (iv) enter into or amend any
contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement with respect to any of the
foregoing;
(i) make any material Tax election or settle or compromise any
material Tax liability;
(j) pay, discharge or satisfy any claims, liabilities or
obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or
otherwise), other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or in accordance
with their terms;
(k) terminate, modify, amend or waive compliance with any
material provision of, any of the Significant Agreements, or fail to take
any action necessary to preserve the material benefits of any Significant
Agreement to the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
(l) enter into any agreement providing for the acceleration of
payment or performance or other consequence as a result of a change in
control of the Company;
(m) enter into any agreement providing for any license (other
than trademark or service mark licenses under supply or distribution
contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business), sale,
assignment or otherwise transfer any Intellectual Property or grant any
covenant not to sue with respect to any of its Intellectual Property;
(n) enter into any commitments to Professionals outside the
ordinary course of business or in excess of the amounts permitted by
Section 4.8;
(o) cancel or terminate any material insurance policies (other
than in connection with acquiring substantially equivalent replacement
policies) or reduce the amount of coverage thereunder; or
(p) take, or agree in writing or otherwise to take, any of the
actions described above in Section 6.1.
Section 6.2 ACCESS TO INFORMATION. (a) Subject to applicable law,
any third party confidentiality agreements and the agreements set forth in
Section 6.2(b), between the date hereof and the Effective Time, the Company
shall give each of Parent and Subsidiary and their
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counsel, financial advisors, auditors, and other authorized representatives
reasonable access to all employees, plants, offices, warehouses and other
facilities and to all books and records of the Company and its
subsidiaries, including its outside auditors, shall permit each of Parent
and Subsidiary and their respective counsel, financial advisors, auditors
and other authorized representatives to make such inspections as Parent or
Subsidiary may reasonably require and shall cause the Company's officers or
representatives and those of its subsidiaries to furnish promptly to Parent
or Subsidiary or their representatives such financial and operating data
and other information with respect to the business and properties of the
Company and any of its subsidiaries as Parent or Subsidiary may from time
to time request. No investigation pursuant to this Section 6.2 shall
affect any representations or warranties of the parties herein or the
conditions to the obligations of the parties hereunder. Information to
which the Company shall afford Parent access that pertains to the Company's
leased properties includes copies of all of the leases as well as copies of
all documents, reports, studies, inspections, surveys, title reports,
building occupancy and zoning permits, easements, recorded instruments and
other information in the Company's possession which pertain to utilities,
infrastructure, zoning, environmental condition, the leases, and any other
condition affecting the leased properties, and such copies are, to the
knowledge of the Company, correct and complete.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the Confidentiality
Agreement dated February 22, 1998 between Parent and the Company, Parent
and Subsidiary may (i) enter into this Agreement, (ii) acquire Shares
pursuant to the Offer and the Completion of the Acquisition and (iii) make
such disclosures in connection with the Offer, the Offer Documents and the
Proxy Statement as Parent and Subsidiary may determine in their reasonable
discretion is required by applicable law.
Section 6.3 REASONABLE BEST EFFORTS. Subject to the terms and
conditions herein provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use its
reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to
do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or
advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make
effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, Parent, Subsidiary and the
Company shall cooperate with one another (i) in the preparation and filing
of the Offer Documents, the Board Recommendation Statement, the Proxy
Statement and any required filings under the HSR Act and the other laws
referred to in Sections 4.4(b) and 5.3(b); (ii) in determining whether
action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency,
official or authority (either domestic or foreign) is required, proper or
advisable or any actions, consents, waivers or approvals are required to be
obtained from parties to any contracts, in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; and (iii) in seeking timely to obtain any
such actions, consents and waivers and to make any such filings.
Section 6.4 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. Parent and Subsidiary, on the
one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, shall consult with each other
before issuing any press release or otherwise making any public statements
with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and shall
not issue any such press release or make any such public statement prior to
such consultation, except as may be required by applicable law or by
applicable rules of any
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securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system. The initial joint
announcement of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be in
the form attached hereto as Annex B.
Section 6.5 INDEMNIFICATION. (a) For a period not less than six
years from the Effective Time, Parent shall (i) indemnify and hold harmless
the directors, officers, employees and agents of the Company (the
"Indemnified Parties") from and against claims, losses or obligations
arising out of events occurring prior to the Effective Time and relating to
their service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company
except to the extent an Indemnified Party has acted in bad faith or in a
manner he did not reasonably believe to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful and
(ii) cause the Company or Amalco, as the case may be, to maintain in effect
the provisions in its Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association
containing the provisions with respect to exculpation of director and
officer liability and indemnification set forth in the Articles of
Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company on the date of
this Agreement to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, which
provisions shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified except as
required by applicable law or except to make changes permitted by
applicable law that would enlarge the exculpation or rights of
indemnification thereunder. In the event of any claim made against an
Indemnified Party covered by this Section 6.5(a), unless Parent, the
Company or Amalco has elected to defend that claim, Parent, the Company or
Amalco shall advance the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel selected
by that Indemnified Party (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory
to Parent and which counsel shall be the same for all Indemnified Parties
unless a conflict of interest between them requires more than one counsel),
upon receipt of a written undertaking by or on behalf of that Indemnified
Party to repay such amounts if it shall ultimately be determined that
Indemnified Party is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section
6.5(a). In the event of any claim made against an Indemnified Party covered
by this Section 6.5(a), unless Parent, the Company or Amalco has elected to
defend that claim, Parent, the Company or Amalco shall advance the
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel selected by that Indemnified Party
(which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to Parent and which counsel
shall be the same for all Indemnified Parties unless a conflict of interest
between them requires more than one counsel), upon receipt of a written
undertaking by or on behalf of that Indemnified Party to repay such amounts
if it shall ultimately be determined that Indemnified Party is not entitled
to be indemnified under this Section 6.5(a).
(b) Parent shall cause Amalco to maintain in effect for six years
from the Effective Time, to the extent available, the coverage provided by
the current directors' and officers' liability insurance policies
maintained by the Company (provided that Amalco may substitute therefor
policies of at least the same coverage containing terms and conditions
which are not materially less favorable) with respect to matters occurring
prior to the Effective Time; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing contained
herein shall require Amalco to incur any annual premium in excess of 200%
of the last annual aggregate premium paid prior to the date of this
Agreement for all current directors' and officers' liability insurance
policies maintained by the Company which the Company represents and
warrants to be not in excess of U.S.$225,000 (the "Current Premium")
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as of the date hereof. If such premiums for such insurance would at any
time exceed 200% of the Current Premium, then Amalco shall maintain
policies of insurance which, in Amalco's good faith determination, provide
the maximum coverage available at an annual premium equal to 200% of the
Current Premium.
Section 6.6 NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MATTERS. The Company shall
give prompt notice to Parent or Subsidiary, and Parent or Subsidiary shall
give prompt notice to the Company, as the case may be, of (i) the
occurrence, or non-occurrence, of any event the respective occurrence, or
non-occurrence, of which would be likely to cause any representation or
warranty contained in this Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate and (ii)
any failure of the Company, Parent or Subsidiary, as the case may be, to
comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied
with or satisfied by it hereunder; PROVIDED, that the delivery of any
notice pursuant to this Section 6.6 shall not limit or otherwise affect the
remedies available hereunder to the party receiving such notice.
Section 6.7 TERMINATION OF STOCK PLANS.
(a)The Board (or, if appropriate, any committee thereof) shall adopt
such resolutions or take such other actions as are required (i) to suspend
the ESPP and employee contributions thereto effective as of March 16, 1998,
(ii) to terminate the ESPP as of the date that Shares are purchased in the
Offer and (iii) to ratify, for purposes of Section 16(b) of the Exchange
Act, the transactions under this clause (a). If the date of the
consummation of the Offer occurs prior to the next Investment Date (as
defined in the ESPP), then the ESPP will refund the payroll deductions made
by the ESPP participants during the Offering Period (as defined in the
ESPP) immediately preceding that Investment Date to the participants. If
the date of the consummation of the Offer occurs on or after the Investment
Date, then as the payroll deductions will be applied to make purchases of
Shares as provided in the ESPP.
(b) Prior to the consummation of the Offer, the Board (or, if
appropriate, any committee thereof) shall adopt such resolutions or take
such other actions as are required to ensure that, following the Effective
Time, no participant in any stock, stock option, stock appreciation or
other benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries shall have any
right thereunder to acquire any capital stock of the Company or Amalco.
Section 6.8 NO SOLICITATION. (a) The Company will immediately cease
any existing discussions or negotiations with any third parties conducted
prior to the date hereof with respect to any Acquisition Proposal (as
defined below). The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, through any
officer, director, employee, representative or agent or any of its
subsidiaries, (i) solicit, initiate, continue or encourage any inquiries,
proposals or offers that constitute an inquiry, proposal or offer relating
to an amalgamation, merger, consolidation, business combination, sale of
substantial assets, sale of shares of capital stock (including, without
limitation, by way of a tender offer) or similar transactions involving the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (any of the foregoing inquiries or proposals
being referred to in this Agreement as an "Acquisition Proposal"), (ii)
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solicit, initiate, continue or engage in negotiations or discussions
concerning, or provide any non-public information or data to any person or
entity relating to, any Acquisition Proposal, or (iii) agree to, approve or
recommend any Acquisition Proposal; PROVIDED, that nothing contained in
this Section 6.8 shall prevent the Company from (A) prior to the purchase
by Subsidiary of Shares pursuant to the Offer, furnishing non-public
information or data to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with,
any person in connection with an unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition
Proposal by such person or recommending an unsolicited bona fide written
Acquisition Proposal to the shareholders of the Company, if and only to the
extent that (1) the Board determines in good faith, based upon the written
advice of its independent financial advisors, that such Acquisition
Proposal would, if consummated, result in a transaction more favorable to
the Company's shareholders from a financial point of view than the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Board determines in
good faith, based upon the written advice of independent legal counsel,
that such action is required for the discharge of their fiduciary duties to
shareholders under applicable law, (2) prior to furnishing such non-public
information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, such
person, the Company receives from such person an executed confidentiality
agreement with terms no less favorable to the Company than those contained
in the Confidentiality Agreement dated February 22, 1998 between Parent and
the Company and (3) prior to furnishing such non-public information to such
person, the Company delivers to Parent a copy of all such information
concurrently with its delivery to the requesting party; or (B) complying
with Rule 14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act with regard to an
Acquisition Proposal. If the Board determines in good faith that any
Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal (as defined below),
the Board shall promptly give written notice, specifying the identity of
the other party and the structure and material terms of such Superior
Proposal (a "Notice of Superior Proposal"), to Parent. The Board may
(subject to the following sentences of this subsection and compliance with
Section 8.1(e) and Section 8.2(a)), to the extent the Board determines in
good faith based upon written advice of independent legal counsel to be
necessary in order to comply with their fiduciary duties under applicable
law, approve or recommend any such Superior Proposal, approve or authorize
the Company's entering into an agreement with respect to such Superior
Proposal, approve or authorize the Company's entering into an agreement
with respect to such Superior Proposal, approve the solicitation of
additional takeover or other investment proposals or terminate this
Agreement, in each case at any time after the fifth business day following
delivery to Parent of the Notice of Superior Proposal. The Company may
take any of the foregoing actions pursuant to the preceding sentence only
if an Acquisition Proposal that was a Superior Proposal at the time of
delivery of a Notice of Superior Proposal continues to be a Superior
Proposal in light of any improved transaction proposed by Parent prior to
the expiration of the five business day period specified in the preceding
sentence. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Superior Proposal" means any
bona fide proposal for an Acquisition Proposal that the Board determines in
their good faith reasonable judgment based on the written advice of its
financial advisors, to be made by a person with the financial ability to
consummate such proposal and to provide greater aggregate value to the
Company and/or the Company's shareholders than the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise proposed by Parent as
contemplated above.
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(b) The Company shall notify Parent immediately (and in no event
later than 24 hours) after receipt by the Company of any Acquisition
Proposal or any request for non-public information in connection with an
Acquisition Proposal or for access to the properties, books or records of
the Company by any person or entity that informs the Company that it is
considering making, or has made, an Acquisition Proposal. Such notice
shall be made orally and in writing and shall indicate in reasonable detail
the identity of the offeror and the terms and conditions of such proposal,
inquiry or contract.
Section 6.9 CHIRON LICENSE AGREEMENT. Immediately following the
execution of this Agreement, the Company shall deliver the notice
previously furnished to Parent to Chiron and Ortho pursuant to Clause 27 of
the Agreement dated August 27, 1996 among Chiron Corporation, Johnson &
Johnson/Ortho Diagnostics Systems, Inc. and the Company (the "Chiron/Ortho
Agreement"). From and after the date hereof, the Company shall promptly
notify Parent of and consult with Parent on all contacts or discussions
with any other party to the Chiron/Ortho Agreement. Without the prior
written consent, of Parent, the Company shall not amend, waive, modify,
supplement or otherwise alter any provision of the Chiron/Ortho Agreement,
nor shall the Company offer to enter into or enter into any contract,
agreement, understanding or other arrangement with any person respecting
the Chiron/Ortho Agreement or the subject matter thereof. Without the
prior written consent of Parent under no circumstances shall the Company
propose, negotiate or agree to any "fair value" as that term is described
in Clause 27 of the Chiron/Ortho Agreement except, after consultation with
Parent, as is otherwise specifically required to comply with the
Chiron/Ortho Agreement or required by applicable law. The Company and its
affiliates shall receive and retain respectively, in the Company and, as
the case may be, its affiliates, any and all proceeds of any sale of the
HCV immunoassay business for fair value pursuant to Clause 27 of the
Chiron/Ortho Agreement. No exercise of the option contained in Clause 27
of the Chiron/Ortho Agreement or the sale of HCV immunoassay business
resulting therefrom shall be deemed to be a breach of any representation,
warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement, nor shall any such
exercise be deemed to cause any condition contained in this Agreement or
the Offer to be unsatisfied.
Section 6.10 LITIGATION BETWEEN PARENT AND THE COMPANY. Immediately
after the execution of this Agreement, the parties shall (i) cease to
actively prosecute the litigation between the Company and Parent, described
under the heading "Abbott Litigation" in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 (the "Abbott
Litigation") and (ii) ask the court in the Abbott Litigation to stay that
litigation. Promptly after the purchase by Subsidiary of Shares pursuant
to the Offer, the Company and Parent shall take all steps necessary to
dismiss with prejudice the Abbott Litigation.
Section 6.11 RIGHTS PLAN. Unless this Agreement and the Shareholder
Agreements have terminated without the purchase or acquisition by Parent or
one of its Subsidiaries of Shares pursuant to one or both of those
agreements, the Company shall not amend or modify its Rights Plan in a
manner that would in any way nullify or conflict with the Rights Plan
Amendments and Determinations, and shall not adopt any new shareholder
rights plan or agreement or similar agreement, plan or measure that would
nullify or conflict with the Rights Plan Amendments and
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Determinations have an adverse effect on Parent, Subsidiary or any of their
subsidiaries if Parent, Subsidiary or any of their subsidiaries purchase or
acquire, or propose to purchase or acquire, any securities of the Company
or enters into any agreement requiring or permitting the purchase or
acquisition of any securities of the Company. Promptly after the date
hereof, the Company shall deliver the certificate required by Section
5.5(d) of the Rights Plan respecting the Rights Plan Amendments and
Determinations to the Rights Agent (as defined in the Rights Plan).
Section 6.12 POST-OPTION EXERCISE. If this Agreement has been
terminated and Parent or any of its subsidiaries have purchased any Shares
pursuant to any Shareholder Agreement: (a) Parent and Subsidiary shall for
six months following such purchase use reasonable best efforts to
consummate the Amalgamation on essentially the same terms and conditions
provided herein, except that the conditions to Closing in Sections 7.1(d),
7.2 and 7.3 shall be deemed to be waived; and (b) if, despite the
transaction contemplated by (a) above, the Amalgamation is not effected,
Parent agrees that it and its affiliates shall not, for three (3) years
following the purchase of Shares pursuant to any Shareholder Agreement,
acquire Beneficial Ownership of any Shares at less than the Per Share
Amount (as adjusted for stock splits and similar events); PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the restrictions of this Section 6.12(b) shall not apply to
the acquisition of less than two percent of the outstanding Shares by
pension plans or similar fiduciary entities of Parent.
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS TO THE COMPLETION OF THE ACQUISITION
Section 7.1 CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATION TO EFFECT THE
COMPLETION OF THE ACQUISITION. The respective obligations of each party
hereto to effect the Completion of the Acquisition is subject to the
satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:
(a) if required by applicable law, the Amalgamation shall have
been approved by the affirmative vote of the shareholders of the Company by
the requisite vote in accordance with applicable law and any court approval
required for the Amalgamation shall have been obtained;
(b) there shall not be in effect any order, decree or ruling or
other action restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Completion
of the Acquisition, which order, decree, ruling or action shall have been
issued or taken by any court of competent jurisdiction or other
governmental body located or having jurisdiction within the United States,
Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union or any other
country or economic region in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or Parent or any of its affiliates, directly or indirectly, has material
assets or operations;
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(c) (i) any waiting period applicable to the Completion of the
Acquisition under the HSR Act, the Canadian Competition Act or the Investment
Canada Act or any applicable requirements of any laws or regulations relating to
the regulation of monopolies or competition in Germany shall have terminated or
expired and (ii) the Office of Fair Trading has indicated, in terms satisfactory
to the Parent and Subsidiary, that it is not the intention of the Secretary of
State for Trade and Industry to refer the proposed acquisition of the Company,
or any matter arising therefrom which directly affects the Parent, Subsidiary or
the Company, to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission and;
(d) Subsidiary shall have purchased Shares pursuant to the Offer.
Section 7.2 CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATION OF PARENT AND SUBSIDIARY TO
EFFECT THE COMPLETION OF THE ACQUISITION. The obligations of Parent and
Subsidiary to effect the Completion of the Acquisition are subject to the
satisfaction or waiver by Parent at or prior to the Effective Time of the
following further conditions:
(a) The Company shall have performed in all material respects its
covenants, agreements and obligations in Articles I, II and III up to the
Effective Time; and
(b) Unless Subsidiary shall have purchased Shares pursuant to the
Offer and except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, the
representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement which
are qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct and those which are
not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each
case, as of the date when made and at and as of the Closing as though newly made
at and as of that time.
Section 7.3 CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY TO EFFECT THE
COMPLETION OF THE ACQUISITION. The obligations of the Company to effect the
Completion of the Acquisition are subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the
Company at or prior to the Effective Time of the following further condition:
(a) Parent and Subsidiary shall have performed in all material
respects their respective covenants, agreements and obligations under Articles
I, II and III up to the Effective Time.
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION; EXPENSES; AMENDMENT; WAIVER
Section 8.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated and the Offer
and the Completion of the Acquisition may be abandoned, notwithstanding approval
thereof by the shareholders of the Company:
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(a) at any time prior to the Consummation of the Offer by mutual
written consent of Parent, Subsidiary and the Company;
(b) at any time prior to the Effective Time by Parent or the Company
if any court of competent jurisdiction or other governmental body located or
having jurisdiction within or over the United States, Canada, the European
Union, Germany, the United Kingdom or any other country or economic region in
which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Parent or any of its affiliates,
directly or indirectly, has material assets or operations, shall have issued an
order, decree or ruling or taken any other action restraining, enjoining or
otherwise prohibiting the Offer or the Completion of the Acquisition and such
order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and nonappealable;
(c) by Parent or the Company at any time on or after August 31, 1998
if Subsidiary shall not have purchased any Shares pursuant to the Offer;
PROVIDED, that the right to terminate this Agreement under the foregoing shall
not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this
Agreement has been the cause or resulted in such failure to purchase;
(d) by Parent prior to the purchase by Subsidiary of Shares pursuant
to the Offer, if (i) there shall have been a breach of any representation or
warranty of the Company contained herein which would reasonably be expected to
materially and adversely affect the expected benefits for Parent of the
transactions contemplated hereunder or prevent the consummation of the Offer or
the Completion of the Acquisition or (ii) there shall have been a breach of any
covenant or agreement of the Company contained herein which would reasonably be
expected to materially and adversely affect the expected benefits for Parent of
the transactions contemplated hereunder or prevent the consummation of the Offer
or the Completion of the Acquisition and which, in the case of either (i) or
(ii) above, if curable, shall not have been cured prior to ten business days
following notice of such breach;
(e) prior to the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer and no
earlier than five business days after the receipt by Parent of a Notice of
Superior Proposal, if the Superior Proposal described in such Notice of Superior
Proposal continues to be a Superior Proposal in light of any transaction
proposed by Parent prior to the expiration of the fifth business day after the
receipt by Parent of such Notice of Superior Proposal, by the Company if the
Company's directors determine in good faith, based upon the written advice of
its independent financial advisors, that such Acquisition Proposal would, if
consummated, result in a transaction more favorable to the Company's
shareholders from a financial point of view than the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and the Company's directors determine in good faith, based
upon the written advice of independent legal counsel, that such action is
required for the discharge of their fiduciary duties to shareholders under
applicable law;
(f) at any time prior to the Consummation of the Offer by Parent if
the Board shall have withdrawn or modified in a manner adverse to Parent or
Subsidiary its approval of the Offer, this Agreement, the Completion of the
Acquisition, its recommendation that the
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Company's shareholders accept the Offer or the Company shall have entered into
an agreement providing for an Acquisition Proposal or the Board shall have
resolved to do any of the foregoing; or
(g) by the Company prior to the purchase by Subsidiary of Shares
pursuant to the Offer, if (i) there shall have been a breach of any
representation or warranty of Parent or Subsidiary contained herein which would
reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the expected benefits
for the Company's shareholders of the transactions contemplated hereunder or
prevent the consummation of the Offer or the Completion of the Acquisition or
(ii) there shall have been a breach of any covenant or agreement of Parent or
Subsidiary contained herein which would reasonably be expected to materially and
adversely affect the expected benefits for the Company's shareholders of the
transactions contemplated hereunder or prevent the consummation of the Offer or
the Completion of the Acquisition and which, in the case of either (i) and (ii)
above, if curable, shall not have been cured prior to ten business days
following notice of such breach.
Section 8.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. (a) If this Agreement is terminated
pursuant to (i) Section 8.1(c) due to a failure to satisfy the Minimum Condition
at any time after any person has made an Acquisition Proposal and, within twelve
months of the date of such termination, the Company enters into a definitive
agreement relating to an Acquisition Proposal at a price per Share that exceeds
the Per Share Amount with any person, (ii) Section 8.1(d), (iii) Section 8.1(e)
or (iv) Section 8.1(f), the Company shall pay Parent a non-refundable fee
ofU.S.$10 million plus expenses of U.S.$2 million (except for a termination
under Section 8.1(d), in which case only expenses of U.S.$2 million shall be
payable) U.S.$10 million plus expenses of U.S.$2 million (except for a
termination under Section 8.1(d), in which case only expenses of U.S.$2 million
shall be payable), which amounts shall be payable, in the case of Section
8.2(a)(i) above, by wire transfer of same day funds within two business days
after the date the Company enters into any such definitive agreement and, in the
case of Sections 8.2(a)(ii), 8.2(a)(iii) or 8.2(a)(iv) above, by wire transfer
of same day funds within two business days after this Agreement is so
terminated. In the event of the circumstances described in this Section 8.2(a)
and upon the timely payment of such non-refundable fee and/or expenses, such
non-refundable fee and/or expenses shall be Parent's and Subsidiary's sole and
exclusive remedy for any breach of any representation, warranty or covenant
hereunder by the Company.
(b) In the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to
Section 8.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect,
other than provisions of this Section 8.2 and Section 8.3 (and, only if Parent
or any of its subsidiaries have purchased Shares pursuant to the Shareholder
Agreements, the representations and warranties about the Rights Plan Amendments
and Determinations in Section 1.2 and the provisions of Section 6.11 and 6.12),
which shall survive the termination of this Agreement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
no termination of this Agreement and nothing contained in this Section 8.2(b)
shall relieve any party from liability for any breach of this Agreement.
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Section 8.3 FEES AND EXPENSES. Subject to Section 8.2(a) above, each
party shall bear its own expenses and costs in connection with this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 8.4 AMENDMENT. Subject to Section 1.3(c), this Agreement may be
amended by action taken by the Company, Parent and Subsidiary at any time before
or after adoption of the Amalgamation by the shareholders of the Company (if
required by applicable law) but, after any such approval, no amendment shall be
made which decreases the Per Share Price or changes the form thereof or which
adversely affects the rights of the Company's shareholders hereunder without the
approval of such shareholders. This Agreement may not be amended except by an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto.
Section 8.5 EXTENSION; WAIVER. Subject to Section 1.3(c), at any time
prior to the Effective Time, the Company, on the one hand, and Parent and
Subsidiary, on the other hand, may (i) extend the time for the performance of
any of the obligations or other acts of the other party, (ii) waive any
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other party contained
herein or in any document, certificate or writing delivered pursuant hereto, or
(iii) waive compliance by the other party with any of the agreements or
conditions contained herein. Any agreement on the part of any party hereto to
any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument
in writing signed on behalf of such party. The failure of any party hereto to
assert any of its rights hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 NONSURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The
representations and warranties made herein shall not survive beyond the
consummation of the Offer. The covenants and agreements herein shall survive in
accordance with their respective terms, including, but not limited to Section
6.5.
Section 9.2 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement, the
Shareholder Agreements and the Confidentiality Agreement between Parent and the
Company dated February 22, 1998 (i) constitute the entire agreement among the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all other
prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof, and (ii) shall not be assigned by
operation of law or otherwise; PROVIDED that Subsidiary may assign its rights
and obligations in whole or in part to Parent or any subsidiary of Parent with
prior written notice to the Company, but no such assignment shall relieve
Subsidiary of its obligations hereunder if such assignee does not perform such
obligations.
Section 9.3 NOTICES. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be
deemed to have been duly given
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upon receipt) by delivery in person, by facsimile or by registered or certified
mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), to the other party as follows:
if to Parent or Subsidiary:
Abbott Laboratories
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-3500
Attn: President Diagnostics Division
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with copies to:
Abbott Laboratories
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-3500
Attn: Divisional Vice President,
Domestic Legal Operations (D-322)
if to the Company:
International Murex Technologies Corporation
2255 B. Queen Street, East, Suite 828
Toronto, ON M4E 1G3
Attn: President
with a copy to:
Reid & Priest LLP
40 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019-4097
Attention: Bruce Rich
or to such other address as the person to whom notice is given may have
previously furnished to the other in writing in the manner set forth above.
Section 9.4 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Illinois, without regard
to the principles of conflict of laws thereof.
Section 9.5 PARTIES IN INTEREST. Except for Section 6.5, which shall
inure to the benefit of the persons identified therein, this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto and its
successors and permitted assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or
implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person any rights,
benefits or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this
Agreement.
Section 9.6 SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. The parties hereto agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event any provision of this Agreement was
not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be
entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other
remedy at law or in equity.
Section 9.7 SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall
not affect the validity and enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If
any provision of this Agreement, or the
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application thereof to any person or entity or any circumstance, is invalid or
unenforceable, (a) a suitable and equitable provision shall be substituted
therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the
intent and purpose of such invalid and unenforceable provision and (b) the
remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other
persons, entities or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or
unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the
validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application thereof, in any
other jurisdiction.
Section 9.8 DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. The descriptive headings herein are
inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of or
to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 9.9 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the
term:
"affiliate" of a person means a person that directly or indirectly, through
one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common
control with, the first mentioned person;
"Amalco" means the corporation that is a wholly-owned indirect or direct
subsidiary of Parent and continuing as a result of the Amalgamation.
"associate" of a person means a corporation or organization of which such
person is an officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial
owner of 10 percent or more of any class of equity securities or any person who
is a director or officer of such person or any of its parents or subsidiaries;
"Beneficial Ownership" has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act, excluding for these purposes the 60-day exercise and/or conversion
limitation therein.
"BC Act" means the COMPANY ACT (British Columbia), RSBC 1996, c. 62.
"business day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or U.S.
(or, if applicable under the context, Canadian) federal holiday.
"Cleanup" means all actions required to: (1) cleanup, remove, treat or
remediate Hazardous Materials in the indoor or outdoor environment; (2) prevent
the Release of Hazardous Materials so that they do not migrate, endanger or
threaten to endanger public health or welfare of the indoor or outdoor
environment; (3) perform pre-remedial studies and investigations and
post-remedial monitoring and care; or (4) respond to any government requests for
information or documents in any way relating to cleanup, removal, treatment or
remediation or potential cleanup, removal, treatment or remediation of Hazardous
Materials in the indoor or outdoor environment.
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"control" (including the terms "controlled by" and "under common control
with") means the possession, directly or indirectly or as trustee or executor,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management policies of a
person, whether through the ownership of stock, as trustee or executor, by
contract or credit arrangement or otherwise;
"Effective Time" means (i) in the case of the Compulsory Acquisition, such
time as all outstanding Shares are owned, directly or indirectly, by Parent or
Subsidiary, and (ii) in the case of the Amalgamation, the time at which a
certificate of amalgamation is issued by the British Columbia Registrar of
Companies.
"Environmental Claim" means any claim, action, cause of action,
investigation or notice (written or oral) by any person or entity alleging
potential liability (including, without limitation, potential liability for
investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental response costs, natural
resources damages, property damages, personal injuries, or penalties) arising
out of, based on or resulting from (a) the presence, or Release into the indoor
or outdoor environment, of any Hazardous Materials at any location, whether or
not owned or operated by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (b)
circumstances forming the basis of any violation, or alleged violation, of any
Environmental Law.
"Environmental Laws" means all federal, state, local and foreign laws and
regulations relating to pollution or protection of human health or the
environment, including without limitation, laws relating to Releases or
threatened Releases of Hazardous Materials into the indoor or outdoor
environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground
water, land surface or subsurface strata) or otherwise relating to the
manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, Release,
disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials and all laws and
regulations with regard to recordkeeping, notification, disclosure and reporting
requirements respecting Hazardous Materials.
"ESPP" means the International Murex Technologies Corporation Amended and
Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
"Hazardous Materials" means all substances defined as Hazardous Substances,
Oils, Pollutants or Contaminants in the National Oil and Hazardous Substances
Pollution Contingency Plan, 40 C.F.R. Section 300.5, or defined as such by, or
regulated as such under, and Environmental Law, or which otherwise may be the
basis for any federal, state, local or foreign government requiring cleanup,
removal, treatment or remediation.
"generally accepted accounting principles" shall mean the generally
accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of
the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting
Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be
approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United
States, in each case applied on a basis consistent with the manner in which the
audited financial statements for the fiscal year of the Company ended December
31, 1997 were prepared;
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<PAGE>
"knowledge" means actual knowledge of an executive officer of the Company
after reasonable inquiry;
"Legal Requirement" means any statute, treaty ordinance, code, law, rule,
regulation, order or other requirement, standard or procedure enacted, adopted
or applied by any Governmental Entity, as well as any judicial decisions
applying common law or interpreting any other Legal Requirement and/or any
agreement entered into with a Governmental Entity in resolution of a dispute or
otherwise.
"Permitted Liens" means (i) Liens specifically disclosed in the SEC Reports
filed prior to the date hereof, (ii) Liens for Taxes, assessments and other
governmental charges not yet due and payable, (iii) immaterial mechanics',
workmen's, repairmen's, warehousemen's, carriers' or other like Liens arising or
incurred in the ordinary course of business, (iv) easements, quasi-easements,
licenses, covenants, rights-of-way, and other similar restrictions, in each
case, which are a matter of public record, (v) any conditions that would be
apparent during a physical inspection, (vi) zoning, building and other similar
restrictions and (vii) other Liens which, individually or in the aggregate,
would not and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
"person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, trust,
unincorporated organization, other entity or group (as defined in Section
13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act); and
"Proxy Statement" means the proxy or information statement or similar
materials distributed to the Company's shareholders in connection with the
Amalgamation, including any amendments or supplements thereto.
"Release" means any release, spill, emission, discharge, leaking, pumping,
injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into
the indoor or outdoor environment (including, without limitation, ambient air,
surface water, groundwater and land surface or subsurface strata) or into or out
of any property, including the movement of Hazardous Materials through or in the
air, soil, surface water, groundwater or property.
"Rights Plan" means the Shareholder Protection Rights Agreement dated
August 31, 1995 between the Company and The Bank of New York.
"Shareholder Agreements" mean the letter agreements dated as of the date
hereof among Parent and Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr., The Estate of Edward J.
DeBartolo, University of Notre Dame, Robert Cusick and Michael Warren.
"subsidiary" or "subsidiaries" of any person means any corporation,
partnership, joint venture or other legal entity of which such person (either
alone or through or together with any other subsidiary), owns, directly or
indirectly, 50% or more of the stock or other equity interests the holder of
which is generally entitled to vote for the election of the board of directors
or other governing body of such corporation, partnership, joint venture or other
legal entity. For the
-45-
<PAGE>
purposes hereof, wholly-owned subsidiaries shall include subsidiaries of a
person the only shares not owned by such person are statutory qualifying shares.
Section 9.10 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
shall constitute one and the same agreement.
-46-
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be
executed on its behalf by its representatives thereunto duly authorized, all as
of the day and year first above written.
INTERNATIONAL MUREX TECHNOLOGIES
CORPORATION
By: /s/ F. Michael P. Warren
---------------------------------------
Name: F. Michael P. Warren
Title: Chairman
By: /s/ C. Robert Cusick
---------------------------------------
Name: C. Robert Cusick
Title: President
ABBOTT LABORATORIES
By: /s/ Miles D. White
---------------------------------------
Name: Miles D. White
Title: Executive Vice President
AAC ACQUISITION LTD.
By: /s/ Thomas D. Brown
---------------------------------------
Name: Thomas D. Brown
Title: Vice President
<PAGE>
ANNEX A
OFFER CONDITIONS
The capitalized terms used in this Annex A have the meanings set forth in
the attached Agreement, except that the term "Acquisition Agreement" shall be
deemed to refer to the attached Agreement and the term "Commission" shall be
deemed to refer to the SEC.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Offer, Subsidiary shall not be
required to accept for payment or, subject to any applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission, including without limitation, Rule 14e-1(c) under
the Exchange Act (relating to Subsidiary's obligation to pay for or return
Shares promptly after termination or withdrawal of the Offer), pay for any
Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer, and may postpone the acceptance for
payment or, subject to the restriction referred to above, payment for any Shares
tendered pursuant to the Offer, and may terminate or amend the Offer and not
accept for payment any Shares, if (i) the Minimum Condition shall not have been
satisfied, (ii) any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act, the Canadian
Competition Act, the Investment Canada Act, any applicable requirements of any
laws or regulations relating to the regulation of monopolies or competition in
Germany or any applicable requirements of the United Kingdom Fair Trading Act
shall not have expired or been terminated, (iii) any other material applicable
approval, permit, authorization, consent or waiting period of any domestic,
foreign or supranational governmental, administrative or regulatory agency
located or having jurisdiction within the United States or any other country or
economic region in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Parent or any
of its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, has material assets or operations,
shall not have been obtained or satisfied on terms satisfactory to Parent in its
reasonable discretion; PROVIDED, that prior to August 31, 1998, Subsidiary shall
not terminate the Offer by reason of the nonsatisfaction of any of the
conditions set forth in clauses (ii) or (iii) above or in paragraphs (a) or (b)
below if such nonsatisfaction is curable and shall extend the Offer (it being
understood that this proviso shall not prohibit Subsidiary from terminating the
Offer or failing to extend the Offer by reason of the nonsatisfaction of any
other condition of the Offer), or (iv) at any time on or after March 20, 1998
and prior to the acceptance for payment of Shares, any of the following
conditions occurs or has occurred or Subsidiary makes a good faith determination
that any of the following conditions has occurred:
(a) there shall have been any action or proceeding brought by any
governmental authority before any court, or any order or preliminary or
permanent injunction entered in any action or proceeding before any court or
governmental, administrative or regulatory authority or agency, located or
having jurisdiction within the United States or any other country or economic
region in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Parent or any of its
subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, has material assets or operations, or any
other action taken, proposed or threatened, or statute, rule, regulation,
legislation, interpretation, judgment or order proposed, sought, enacted,
entered, enforced, promulgated, amended, issued or deemed applicable to
Subsidiary, the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of Subsidiary or the
-i-
<PAGE>
Company or the Offer, the Completion of the Acquisition or the transactions
contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement, by any legislative body, court,
government or governmental, administrative or regulatory authority or agency
located or having jurisdiction within the United States or any other country or
economic region in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Parent or any
of its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, has material assets or operations,
which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or to have
the effect of: (i) making illegal, or otherwise directly or indirectly
restraining or prohibiting the making of the Offer, the acceptance for payment
of, payment for, or ownership, directly or indirectly, of some of or all the
Shares by Parent or Subsidiary, the consummation of any of the transactions
contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement or materially delaying the Completion
of the Acquisition; (ii) prohibiting or materially limiting the ownership or
operation by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or by Parent or any of its
subsidiaries, of all or any material portion of the business or assets of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or Parent or any of its subsidiaries, or
compelling Subsidiary, Parent or any of Parent's subsidiaries to dispose of or
hold separate all or any material portion of the business or assets of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or Parent or any of its subsidiaries, as a
result of the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement; (iii)
imposing or confirming limitations on the ability of Subsidiary, Parent or any
of Parent's subsidiaries effectively to acquire or hold or to exercise full
rights of ownership of Shares, including, without limitation, the right to vote
any Shares on all matters properly presented to the shareholders of the Company,
including, without limitation, the adoption and approval of the Acquisition
Agreement and the Completion of the Acquisition or the right to vote any shares
of capital stock of any subsidiary of the Company; or (iv) requiring divestiture
by Parent or Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of any Shares; or
(b) there shall have occurred (i) any general suspension of trading
in, or limitation on prices for, securities on any securities exchange or in the
over-the-counter market in the United States, (ii) the declaration of a banking
moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United
States (whether or not mandatory), (iii) any limitation (whether or not
mandatory), by any United States governmental authority or agency on the
extension of credit by banks or other financial institutions, or (iv) in the
case of any of the situations described in clauses (i) through (iii) inclusive,
existing as of the date of the Acquisition Agreement or at the date of the
commencement of the Offer, a material acceleration or worsening thereof; or
(c) there shall have occurred or be occurring, or Subsidiary shall
have become aware of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect; or
(d) the Company shall have breached or failed to perform in any
material respect any of its covenants or agreements under the Acquisition
Agreement and, if curable, shall have failed to cure such breach within ten
business days of receipt of notice of such breach or failure to perform; or
-ii-
<PAGE>
(e) any of the representations and warranties of the Company set
forth in the Acquisition Agreement that are qualified as to materiality shall
not be true and correct or any of the representations and warranties of the
Company set forth in the Acquisition Agreement that are not so qualified shall
not be true and correct in any material respect, in each case as if such
representations and warranties were made at the time of such determination (or,
in the case of any representation and warranty made as of a specified date, as
of such date) and if curable, shall have failed to cure such failure to be true
and correct within ten business days of receipt of notice of such failure to be
true and correct; or
(f) the Acquisition Agreement shall have been terminated in
accordance with its terms; or
(g) the Board shall have withdrawn or modified in a manner adverse to
Subsidiary its approval or recommendation of the Offer, the Acquisition
Agreement or the Consummation of the Acquisition or shall have recommended, or
the Company shall have entered into an agreement providing for, a Superior
Proposal, or the Board shall have resolved to do any of the foregoing; or
(h) the Company shall have failed to adopt the Rights Plan Amendment
and Determinations or shall have failed to comply with Section 6.11 of the
Agreement;
which, in the reasonable judgment of Subsidiary in any such case, and regardless
of the circumstances (including any action or omission by Subsidiary) giving
rise to any such condition makes it inadvisable to proceed with such acceptance
for payment or payments of Shares.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Subsidiary and
may be asserted by Subsidiary regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any
such condition or may be waived by Subsidiary in whole or in part at any time or
from time to time in its sole discretion. The failure by Subsidiary at any time
to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such
right, the waiver of any such right with respect to particular facts or
circumstances shall not be deemed a waiver with respect to any other facts or
circumstances, and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right that may be
asserted at any time or from time to time.
-iii-
<PAGE>
Abbott Laboratories
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, Illinois
March 13, 1998
______________________
______________________
______________________
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter is to confirm our agreement regarding all of the _____________
common shares, without par value, (the "Shares") of International Murex
Technologies Corporation, a British Columbia corporation (the "Company") held by
you. In order to induce Abbott Laboratories, an Illinois corporation ("Buyer")
to enter into an Acquisition Agreement, to be dated as of the date hereof
between the Company and Buyer (the "Acquisition Agreement"), you hereby agree as
follows:
Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, on or prior to the expiration
date of the tender offer to be commenced by Buyer pursuant to the Acquisition
Agreement (the "Tender Offer"), you will tender to Buyer, or cause to be
tendered, all of the Shares, regardless of whether a higher offer for such
Shares has been made. If you withdraw your tender of Shares in the Tender
Offer, you shall immediately, but in no event later than the expiration date of
the Tender Offer re-tender such Shares to Buyer.
You hereby grant to Buyer the option (the "Option") to purchase any or all
the Shares, at a price of at least $13.00 per Share, until the date (the
"Expiration Date") that is: (i) the date the Acquisition Agreement is terminated
in accordance with its terms, unless such termination is an Applicable
Termination (as defined below), in which case the Option shall continue as
provided in the following clause (ii); or (ii) after an Applicable Termination,
the date that is the later of (A) five business days following an Applicable
Termination and (B) two business days following the receipt by Buyer of any of
the governmental consents or approvals or the termination or expiration of any
waiting periods referred to in Section 4.4(b)(ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) of the
Acquisition Agreement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in no event shall the Option be
exercisable after August 31, 1998. An "Applicable Termination" shall mean any
termination of the Acquisition Agreement pursuant to Sections 8.1(d), 8.1(e) or
8.1(f) thereof.
You hereby agree not to sell, transfer or encumber the Shares (except in
the Tender Offer or to Buyer) during the term of this letter agreement.
You hereby represent and warrant as to the Shares that (i) you are the sole
owner of and have full right, power and authority to sell and vote the Shares,
or if you are not the sole owner, you have the full right, power and authority
to sell the Shares, and in either event, this letter agreement is a valid and
binding agreement, enforceable against you, in accordance with its
<PAGE>
terms; (ii) neither the execution of this letter agreement nor the consummation
by you of the transactions contemplated hereby will constitute a violation of,
or conflict with, or default under, any contract, commitment, agreement,
understanding, arrangement or restriction of any kind to which you are a party
or by which you or the Shares are bound; and (iii) Buyer or its subsidiary shall
upon purchase of the Shares receive good and marketable title to the Shares,
free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances and security interests of any
kind.
Buyer hereby represents and warrants that it has the corporate power and it
is duly authorized to enter into this letter agreement.
You hereby agree to vote all of the Shares, and any other common shares of
the Company which you may own, or have the power to vote, (i) in the manner
directed by Buyer with respect to any matters related to the acquisition of the
Company by Buyer and (ii) against any other amalgamations, mergers,
recapitalizations, business combinations, sales of assets, liquidations or
similar transactions involving the Company, or any other matters which would be
inconsistent with Buyer's intended acquisition of the Company. In furtherance
of your voting agreement in this paragraph, you hereby revoke any and all
previous proxies with respect to any of the Shares and grants to Buyer and such
individuals or corporations as Buyer may designate an irrevocable proxy to vote
all of the Shares owned by you in accordance with this paragraph on any matters
which may be presented to shareholders of the Company with respect to any
matters related to the acquisition of the Company by Buyer or any other
amalgamations, mergers, recapitalizations, business combinations, sales of
assets, liquidations or similar transactions involving the Company, or any other
matters which would be inconsistent with Buyer's proposed acquisition of the
Company. In addition, you hereby agree to execute such additional documents as
Buyer may reasonably request to effectuate its voting rights under this
paragraph.
We each hereby agree that this letter agreement creates legally binding
commitments, enforceable in accordance with their terms. This letter
agreement and the Acquisition Agreement (i) constitute the entire agreement
among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and
(ii) supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and
oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This
Agreement is not intended to confer upon any other person any rights or remedies
hereunder.
This letter agreement may be terminated at any time (i) by mutual written
consent of the parties hereto or (ii) by either party on or after the
Expiration Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such right of termination shall
not be available to any party whose breach of any obligation hereunder has been
the cause of or resulted in the failure of the transactions contemplated
hereunder to be consummated. No such termination shall relieve any party from
liability for any breach of this letter agreement.
Each party shall be entitled, without prejudice to the rights and remedies
otherwise available to such party, to specific performance of all of the other
party's obligations hereunder. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the internal laws (and
2
<PAGE>
not the law of conflicts) of the State of Illinois. Each of the parties shall
pay its own expenses in connection with the execution and performance of this
letter agreement.
If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this letter agreement is
held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable,
the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this
letter agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be
affected, impaired or invalidated.
Please indicate your agreement to the foregoing by signing this letter
agreement in the space provided below, whereupon a binding agreement will have
been formed between us in respect of the foregoing.
Sincerely,
ABBOTT LABORATORIES
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Acknowledged and agreed:
By:
----------------------------
Name:
Title:
3
<PAGE>
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 3000, Los Angeles, CA 90067-5014
(310) 282-6161
February 22, 1998
Abbott Laboratories
100 Abbott Park Rd.
Abbott Park, IL 60064-3500
Gentlemen:
In connection with your consideration of a possible negotiated
transaction by you or one or more of your affiliates (as the term "affiliate"
is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act")), involving International Murex Technologies Corporation and its
affiliates (collectively, the "Company") (a "Transaction"), the Company,
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation ("DLJ"), acting as the
Company's exclusive financial advisor in connection with the proposed
Transaction, and their respective advisors and agents are prepared to make
available to you certain information which is non-public, confidential or
proprietary in nature.
By execution of this letter agreement (the "Agreement"), you agree to
treat confidentially all such information disclosed hereunder in writing (or,
if initially disclosed orally, promptly thereafter confirmed in writing) (the
"Evaluation Material"), and to observe the terms and conditions set forth
herein. You also agree that, subject to the fourth paragraph of this letter,
prior to giving any of your directors, officers, employees, partners,
affiliates, agents, advisors or representatives (hereinafter,
"Representatives") access to any of the Evaluation Material, you shall inform
such representatives of the confidential nature of the Evaluation Material
and the obligations as set forth in this Agreement.
For purposes of this Agreement, Evaluation Material shall include,
without limitation, all information, data, reports, analyses, compilations,
studies, interpretations, projections, forecasts, records, and other materials
(whether prepared by the Company, DLJ or otherwise and in whatever form
maintained, whether documentary, computerized or otherwise), regardless of
the form of communication, that contain or otherwise reflect information
concerning the Company that you or your Representatives may be provided by or
on behalf of the Company or DLJ in the course of your evaluation of a
possible Transaction. The term "Evaluation Material" shall also include all
information, data, reports, analyses, computations, studies, interpretations,
projections, forecasts, records, notes, memoranda, summaries or other
materials in whatever form maintained, whether documentary, computerized or
otherwise, whether prepared by you or your Representatives or others, that
contain or otherwise reflect or are based upon, in whole or in part, any such
Evaluation Material or that reflect your review of, or interest in, all or
any portion of the Company in contemplation of a Transaction (the "Notes").
This Agreement shall be inoperative as to those particular portions of the
Evaluation Material that (i) were or become generally available to the public
other than as result of a disclosure by you or any of your Representatives,
(ii) were available to you on a non-confidential basis prior to the
disclosure of such Evaluation Material to you pursuant to this Agreement,
provided that the source of such information was not known by you or any of
<PAGE>
Abbott Laboratories
Page 2 February 22, 1998
your Representatives to be bound by a confidentiality agreement with or other
contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality to the Company
or any of its affiliates with respect to such material or (iii) become
available to you on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the
Company or its agents, advisors or representatives provided that the source
of such information was not known by you or any of your Representatives to be
bound by a confidentiality agreement with or other contractual, legal or
fiduciary obligation of confidentiality to the Company or any of its
affiliates with respect to such material.
You agree that you will not use the Evaluation Material for any purpose
other than determining whether you wish to enter into a Transaction and
evaluating any possible terms thereof. You agree for a period of two years
from the date hereof not to disclose or allow disclosure to others of any
Evaluation Material except with the specific prior written consent of the
Company or except as expressly otherwise permitted by the terms of this
Agreement; provided that, subject to the second paragraph of this Agreement,
you may disclose Evaluation Material to your Representatives to the extent
necessary to permit such Representatives to assist you in making the
determination referred to in the prior sentence. You shall take all
reasonable measures (including but not limited to court proceedings), at your
sole expense, to restrain your Representatives from prohibited or
unauthorized disclosure or use of the Evaluation Material. In furtherance of
the foregoing, you agree that you will not use the Evaluation Material in any
way detrimental to the Company. In particular, the Company and you agree that
for a period of 12 months from the date of the signing of this Agreement
neither you and your affiliates nor the Company and its affiliates will
knowingly, as a result of knowledge or information obtained from the
Evaluation Material or otherwise in connection with a possible Transaction,
employ or attempt to employ or divert an employee of the other party or any
of its affiliates with whom such party has had significant contact in
connection with the Transaction.
Except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, you agree that you will
not make any disclosure (i) that you, DLJ or the Company are having or have
had discussions, or that you have received Evaluation Material from the
Company or DLJ concerning a Transaction, (ii) that you are considering a
possible Transaction or (iii) concerning any discussions related to a
possible Transaction, including the status thereof, any termination thereof,
any decision on your part to no longer consider any such Transaction or any
of the terms, conditions or other facts with respect thereto.
Correspondingly, the Company agrees that it will not make any disclosure (i)
that it has had or is having discussions with, or that it has sent Evaluation
Material to, you regarding a Transaction, (ii) that it is considering a
possible Transaction with you or (iii) concerning any discussion related to a
possible Transaction with you, including the status thereof, any termination
thereof, any decision on its part to no longer consider any such Transaction
with you or any of the terms, conditions or other facts with respect thereto.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may make such disclosure if such
party has received the opinion of its counsel that such disclosure must be
made by it in order that it not commit a violation of law and, prior to such
disclosure, it promptly advises and consults with the other party and its
legal counsel concerning the information it proposes to disclose. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, if (1) you have been afforded a
reasonable opportunity to complete a reasonable due diligence investigation
of the Company in connections with your making a proposal at or before 9:00
am Eastern Standard Time March 3, 1998 (an "Initial Proposal") respecting a
possible Transaction; and (2) following such investigation, you have had a
reasonable opportunity to formulate and make an Initial Proposal to the
Company respecting a possible Transaction, then you further agree that,
without the prior written consent of the Company,
<PAGE>
Abbott Laboratories
Page 3 February 22, 1998
you will not, directly or indirectly, enter into any agreement, arrangement
or understanding with any person regarding a possible Transaction involving
the Company or any of its affiliates other than any such agreements,
arrangements or understandings with any of your Representatives. The term
"person" as used in this letter shall be broadly interpreted to include,
without limitation, the media and any corporation, partnership, group,
individual or other entity.
Although the Company and DLJ have endeavored to include in the
Evaluation Material information known to them which they believe to be
relevant for the purpose of your investigation, you understand and agree that
none of the Company, DLJ or any of their affiliates, agents, advisors or
representatives (i) have made or make any representation or warranty,
expressed implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the Evaluation
Material or (ii) shall have any liability whatsoever to you or your
Representatives relating to or resulting from the use of the Evaluation
Material or any errors therein or omissions therefrom, except in each case as
may be made in a definitive agreement.
Without limiting the generality of the immediately preceding paragraph,
the Evaluation Material may include certain statements, estimates and
projections provided by the Company with respect to the anticipated future
performance of the Company's business. Such statements, estimates and
projections reflect various assumptions made by the Company concerning
anticipated results, which assumptions may or may not prove to be correct. No
representations are made as to the accuracy of such assumptions, statements,
estimates or projections, including the budget. The only information that
will have any legal effect will be specifically represented in a definitive
purchase agreement; in no event will such definitive agreement contain any
representation as to the projections.
In the event that you or anyone to whom you transmit any Evaluation
Material in accordance with this Agreement are requested or required (by
deposition, interrogations, requests for information or documents in legal
proceedings, subpoenas, civil investigative demand or similar process), in
connection with any proceeding, to disclose any Evaluation Material, you will
give the Company prompt notice of such request or requirement so that the
Company may seek an appropriate protective order or other remedy and/or waive
compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, and you will reasonably
cooperate with the Company, at the Company's expense, to obtain such
protective order. In the event that such protective order or other remedy is
not obtained or the Company waives compliance with the relevant provisions of
this Agreement, you (or such other persons to whom such request is directed)
will furnish only that portion of the Evaluation Material which is legally
required to be disclosed. It is further agreed that, if in the absence of a
protective order you (or such other persons to whom such request is directed)
are nonetheless legally compelled to disclose such information, you may make
such disclosure without liability hereunder, provided that you give the
Company notice of the information to be disclosed as far in advance of its
disclosure as is practicable and, upon the Company's request, use your
reasonable best efforts to obtain assurances that confidential treatment will
be accorded to such information and, provided further, that such disclosure
was not caused by and did not result from a previous disclosure by you or any
of your Representatives not permitted hereunder.
If you decide at any time that you do not wish to proceed with a
Transaction, you will promptly notify the Chairman of the Company's Board of
Directors, the Company's Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO") or DLJ of that
decision. In that case, or if the Company shall elect at any time
<PAGE>
Abbott Laboratories
Page 4 February 22, 1998
to terminate further access by you to the Evaluation Material for any reason,
you will promptly return to DLJ all Evaluation Material (and all copies
thereof) in the possession of you or your affiliates or your Representatives
and will destroy all Notes, provided, that you may retain in your Legal
Division for archival purposes one (1) copy of the Evaluation Material and
Notes. Notwithstanding the return or destruction of Evaluation Material and
Notes, you and your Representatives will continue to be bound by your
obligations of confidentiality and other obligations hereunder.
You hereby acknowledge that you are aware that the securities laws of
the United States prohibit any person who has material, non-public
information concerning the Company or a possible Transaction involving the
Company from purchasing or selling securities in reliance upon such
information or from communicating such information to any other person or
entity under circumstances in which it is reasonably foreseeable that such
person or entity is likely to purchase or sell such securities in reliance
upon such information. Further, you hereby represent that you have no direct
or indirect ownership interests in the Company other than any such ownership
interest which may exist through a retirement trust.
You agree that, if (1) you have been afforded a reasonable opportunity
to complete a reasonable due diligence investigation of the Company in
connection with your making an Initial Proposal respecting a possible
Transaction; and (2) following such investigation, you have had a reasonable
opportunity to formulate and make an Initial Proposal to the Company
respecting a possible Transaction, then for a period of six (6) months from
the date of this Agreement, unless such shall have been specifically invited
in writing by the current Board of Directors or replacements designated by
members of the current Board of Directors of the Company, neither you nor any
of your Representatives will in any manner, directly or indirectly, (a) effect
or seek, offer or propose to effect, or cause or participate in or in any way
assist or act as advisor to any other person to effect or seek, offer or
propose to effect or participate in, (i) any acquisition of any securities
(or beneficial ownership thereof) or assets of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries; (ii) any tender or exchange offer or merger or other business
combination involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (iii) any
recapitalization, restructuring, liquidation, dissolution or other
extraordinary transaction with repsect to the Company or any of its
subsidiaries; or (iv) any "solicitation" of "proxies" (as such terms are used
in the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission) or consents to
vote any voting securities of the Company, (b) otherwise act, alone or in
concert with others, to seek to control or influence the management, Board of
Directors or policies of the Company or (c) enter into any discussions or
arrangements with any third party with respect to any of the foregoing;
provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit
you from making an Initial Proposal respecting a possible Transaction; and
provided further, that, if (A) you shall have made an Initial Proposal to the
Company regarding a possible Transaction; and (B) the Company's Board of
Directors does not determine, in its sole discretion, in good faith that such
Initial Proposal was unreasonable when made (and thereafter notify you in
writing of such determination), nothing contained in this Agreement shall
prohibit you or your Representatives from making any proposal to the Chairman
of the Company's Board of Directors, the Company's CEO, the Company's Board
of Directors or DLJ regarding any business combination or other Transaction
involving the Company. You also agree during any such period not to request
the Company (or its directors, officers, employees or agents), directly or
indirectly, to amend or waive any provision of this paragraph (including this
sentence). Notwithstanding the foregoing, this paragraph shall not apply,
directly or
<PAGE>
Abbott Laboratories
Page 5 February 22, 1998
indirectly, to (1) any employee benefit, pension or welfare plan, trust or
similar arrangement of yours or of any of your Representatives which is not
under your control, or (2) any indirect activity of any Representative over
which such Representative does not have substantial control.
You understand that (i) the Company and DLJ shall conduct the process for
a possible Transaction as they in their sole discretion shall determine
(including, without limitation, negotiating with any prospective buyer and
entering into definitive agreements without prior notice to you or any other
person), (ii) any procedures relating to such a Transaction may be changed at
any time without notice to you or any other person, (iii) the Company shall
have the right to reject or accept any potential buyer, proposal or offer,
for any reason whatsoever, in its sole discretion, and (iv) notwithstanding
the terms of this Agreement, neither you nor any of your Representatives
shall have any claims whatsoever against the Company or DLJ or any of their
respective directors, officers, stockholders, owners, affiliates or agents
arising out of or relating to the Transaction, and neither the Company nor
DLJ shall have any claims whatsoever against you or any of your
Representatives arising out of or relating to the Transaction (other than
those against the parties to a definitive agreement with you in accordance
with the terms thereof).
It is further understood and agreed that DLJ will arrange for appropriate
contacts for due diligence purposes. It is also understood and agreed that
all (i) communications regarding a possible Transaction, (ii) requests for
additional information, (iii) requests for facility tours or management
meetings and (iv) discussions or questions regarding procedures, will be
submitted or directed to DLJ or the Company's CEO or Chairman of the Board,
and that none of you or your Representatives who are aware of the Evaluation
Material and/or the possibility of a Transaction will initiate or cause to be
initiated any communication with any other director, officer or employee of
the Company concerning the Evaluation Material or a Transaction. It is
understood that any expenses incurred by you in connection with such
diligence activities shall be for your own account and at your own expense,
and at no expense to the Company.
You agree that unless and until a definitive agreement between the
Company and you with respect to any Transaction has been executed and
delivered, neither the Company nor you will be under any legal obligation of
any kind whatsoever with respect to such Transaction. Furthermore, it is
agreed that neither you nor the Company has any obligation to negotiate the
Transaction for any specified period of time or to enter into a definitive
agreement.
The parties hereto agree that money damages would not be a sufficient
remedy for any breach of this Agreement, that in addition to all other
remedies each party shall be entitled to specific performance and injunctive
or other equitable relief as a remedy for any such breach. In the event of
litigation relating to this Agreement, if a court of competent jurisdiction
determines that any party has breached this Agreement, such party shall be
liable and pay to the other party the reasonable legal fees incurred by the
other party in connection with such litigation, including any appeal
therefrom.
The Company reserves the right to assign its rights, powers and
privileges under this Agreement (including, without limitation, the right to
enforce the terms of this letter agreement) to any person who enters into a
Transaction.
<PAGE>
Abbott Laboratories
Page 6 February 22, 1998
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement regarding the subject
matter hereof. All modifications of, waivers of and amendments to this
Agreement or any part hereof must be in writing signed on behalf of you and
the Company or by you and DLJ, as agent for the Company. You acknowledge that
the Company is intended to be benefited by this Agreement and that the Company
shall be entitled, either alone or together with DLJ, to enforce this
Agreement and to obtain for itself the benefit of any remedies that may be
available for the breach hereof.
It is further understood and agreed that no failure or delay by you or
the Company in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement
shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise
thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or
privilege hereunder.
In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement is
determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, in whole or in
part, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby
and shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law.
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to
conflicts of laws provisions. This Agreement is for the benefit of you and
the Company and your and its respective directors, officers, employees and
agents.
<PAGE>
Abbott Laboratories
Page 7 February 22, 1998
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please so indicate by
signing, dating and returning one copy of this Agreement, which will
constitute our agreement with respect to the matters set forth herein.
Very truly yours,
INTERNATIONAL MUREX
TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
By: /s/ Chet Mehta
---------------------
Chet Mehta
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
SECURITIES CORPORATION
as Exclusive Agent
Agreed and Accepted:
ABBOTT LABORATORIES
By: /s/ Thomas D. Brown
-----------------------------------
Title: Corp V.P. Commercial Operations
-----------------------------------
Date: 2/22/98
-----------------------------------
<PAGE>
INTERNATIONAL MUREX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
2255 B. Queen Street, East, Suite 828, Toronto, ON M4E 1G3
TEL. (519) 836-8016 FAX (519) 836-8454
March 20, 1998
Dear Shareholders:
We are pleased to inform you that our Company has entered into an
Acquisition Agreement, dated as of March 13, 1998 (the "Acquisition Agreement"),
with Abbott Laboratories ("Parent") and AAC Acquisition Ltd., an indirect,
wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent ("Purchaser"). Pursuant to the Acquisition
Agreement, Purchaser has today commenced a cash tender offer (the "Offer") to
purchase all of the outstanding common shares, without par value (the "Shares"),
of the Company at a purchase price of U.S.$13.00 per Share, net to the
shareholder in cash. Following the successful completion of the tender offer,
the remaining Shares will be acquired by Purchaser in a compulsory acquisition
or amalgamation under British Columbia law ("Acquisition" or "Amalgamation")
upon which Shares will be exchanged for the right to receive an amount in cash
equal to U.S. $13.00, without interest thereon.
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE ACQUISITION AGREEMENT,
THE OFFER AND THE SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION OR AMALGAMATION AND DETERMINED THAT THE
OFFER AND THE SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION OR AMALGAMATION ARE FAIR TO, AND IN THE
BEST INTERESTS OF, THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY. YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ACCEPT THE OFFER AND TENDER
THEIR SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER.
In arriving at its recommendation, the Board of Directors gave careful
consideration to the factors described in the attached Schedule 14D-9 that is
being filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, among
other things, the opinion of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation, the Company's financial advisor, that the consideration to be
offered to the shareholders in the Offer and the subsequent Acquisition or
Amalgamation pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement is fair to such shareholders
from a financial point of view.
In addition to the attached Schedule 14D-9, enclosed is the Offer to
Purchase dated March 20, 1998 together with related materials, including a
Letter of Transmittal, to be used for tendering your Shares pursuant to the
Offer. These documents state the terms and conditions of the Offer and the
subsequent Acquisition or Amalgamation, provide detailed information about the
transactions and include instructions as to how to tender your Shares. We urge
you to read these documents carefully in making your decision with respect to
tendering your Shares pursuant to the Offer.
Very truly yours,
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[SIG] [SIG]
F. Michael P. Warren C. Robert Cusick
CHAIRMAN PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 6
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 3000, Los Angeles, CA 90067-5014 - (310)
282-6161
March 15, 1998
Board of Directors
International Murex Technologies Corporation
2255 B. Queen Street, East, Suite 828
Toronto, ON M4E1G3
Dear Sirs:
You have requested our opinion as to the fairness from a financial point of
view to the holders of common shares, without par value ("Company Common
Shares"), of International Murex Technologies Corporation, a British Columbia
company (the "Company" or "IMTC"), of the consideration to be received by such
holders pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, dated as of March
13, 1998 (the "Agreement"), among the Company, Abbott Laboratories ("Abbott")
and AAC Acquisition Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott ("Subsidiary"),
pursuant to which Subsidiary will directly or indirectly acquire the Company
(the "Acquisition") either (i) pursuant to the compulsory acquisition procedures
contemplated by the Company Act (British Columbia) (the "BC Act") or (ii)
pursuant to an amalgamation, arrangement or other business combination as
contemplated by the BC Act.
Pursuant to the Agreement, Subsidiary will commence a tender offer (the
"Tender Offer") for all outstanding Company Common Shares at a price of US$13.00
per share in cash. The Tender Offer is to be followed by the Acquisition in
which all holders who did not tender will be entitled to receive US$13.00 per
share in cash for their Company Common Shares.
In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed the Agreement as well as
financial and other information that was publicly available or furnished to us
by the Company, including information provided during discussions with
management. Included in the information provided during discussions with
management were certain financial projections of the Company for the period
beginning January 1, 1998 and ending December 31, 2002 prepared by the
management of the Company. In addition, we have compared certain financial and
securities data of the Company with various other companies whose securities are
traded in public markets, reviewed the historical stock prices and trading
volumes of the common stock of the Company, reviewed prices and premiums paid in
certain other business combinations and conducted such other financial studies,
analyses and investigations as we deemed appropriate for purposes of this
opinion.
In rendering our opinion, we have relied upon and assumed the accuracy and
completeness of all of the financial and other information that was available to
us from public sources, that was provided to us by the Company or its
representatives, or that was otherwise reviewed by us. With respect to the
financial projections supplied to us, we have assumed that such projections, as
adjusted by management of the Company to reflect recent results, have been
reasonably prepared on the basis reflecting the best currently available
estimates and judgments of the management of the Company as to the future
operating and financial performance of the Company. We have not assumed any
responsibility for making an independent evaluation of any assets or liabilities
or for making any independent verification of any of the information reviewed by
us. In connection with our opinion, we have relied on the advice of counsel to
IMTC with respect to any current settlement value of IMTC's pending patent
litigation with Abbott and have, with IMTC's consent, not taken into account any
value in excess of such value. We have also relied as to certain legal matters
on advice of counsel to the Company.
<PAGE>
Our opinion is necessarily based on economic, market, financial and other
conditions as they exist on, and on the information made available to us as of,
the date of this letter. It should be understood that, although subsequent
developments may affect this opinion, we do not have any obligation to update,
revise or reaffirm this opinion. Our opinion does not address the relative
merits of the Acquisition and the other business strategies being considered by
the Company's Board of Directors, nor does it address the Board's decision to
proceed with the Acquisition. Our opinion does not constitute a recommendation
to any shareholder as to whether such holder should tender any Company Common
Shares in the Tender Offer or how such holder should vote on the Acquisition.
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, as part of its
investment banking services, is regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses
and securities in connection with mergers, acquisitions, underwritings, sales
and distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and
valuations for corporate and other purposes.
Based upon the foregoing and such other factors as we deem relevant, we are
of the opinion that the consideration to be received by the holders of the
Company Common Shares pursuant to the terms of the Agreement is fair to such
holders from a financial point of view.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Very truly yours,
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
SECURITIES CORPORATION
By: /s/ GRANT F. LITTLE, III
-----------------------------------------
Grant F. Little, III
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
</TABLE>
