Glass Lewis and PROXY Governance Recommend ICOS Shareholders Vote for Lilly's $34 Per Share Cash Merger
BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 12, 2007 - ICOS Corporation (NASDAQ: ICOS), announced today that Glass Lewis and Company, a leading proxy advisory service, has issued its report recommending that ICOS' shareholders vote in favor of the revised offer by Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of ICOS for a purchase price of $34 per share in cash. PROXY Governance Inc., another proxy advisory service, also has recommended that shareholders vote to approve the offer.In its report, Glass Lewis noted, "In light of the newly disclosed information (particularly that the release of management's financial projections), we believe the proposed $34.00 per share offer represents a financially fair consideration to shareholders based on the DCF analysis and the execution risks that would remain with ICOS shareholders if the transaction is not approved. As such, we believe the transaction warrants shareholder approval."
In its report, PROXY Governance said, "We recognize that the company's board appears to have undergone a thorough process in negotiating the sale of the company with Lilly ... PROXY Governance believes that shareholders will, in the long run, be better off with the all-cash merger consideration."
"We are pleased that Glass Lewis and PROXY Governance both agree with the ICOS board of directors' recommendation that shareholders vote in favor of Lilly's offer," said Paul Clark, ICOS chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We believe that the $34 per share cash merger, which was carefully considered and unanimously approved by the ICOS board of directors, provides very attractive value for ICOS shareholders."
ICOS also said that Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., a third proxy advisory service, has recommended that ICOS shareholders not approve the new offer by Lilly. Mr. Clark added, "ICOS disagrees with the ISS conclusion. We are disappointed that ISS refused to recognize the substantial and immediate value this offer will deliver to ICOS shareholders. ICOS shareholders should be aware that Lilly has declared $34 per share as its best and final offer. ICOS' board of directors has urged shareholders to vote in favor of the offer at the special meeting of shareholders on January 25, 2007."
ICOS will hold a special meeting of shareholders on Thursday, January 25, 2007, to vote on the revised Agreement and Plan of Merger. ICOS' board of directors has considered and unanimously approved the revised $34 per share price and has recommended that shareholders approve the revised Agreement and Plan of Merger.
About ICOS Corporation:
ICOS Corporation, a biotechnology company headquartered in Bothell, Washington, is dedicated to bringing innovative therapeutics to patients. Through Lilly ICOS LLC, ICOS is marketing its first product, Cialis(R) (tadalafil)(1), for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. ICOS is working to develop treatments for serious unmet medical needs such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, pulmonary arterial hypertension, cancer, psoriasis and inflammatory diseases.
Where to Find Additional Information about the Proposed Acquisition by Eli Lilly and Company
A special meeting of ICOS shareholders will be held on January 25, 2007, to obtain shareholder approval of the proposed transaction. ICOS has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and distributed to its shareholders a definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents in connection with the special shareholder meeting for the proposed transaction. ICOS shareholders are urged to read the definitive proxy statement and other relevant materials because they contain important information about ICOS, Lilly and the proposed transaction. Investors may obtain a free copy of these materials and other documents filed by ICOS with the Securities and Exchange Commission at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, at ICOS' website at www.ICOS.com or by sending a written request to ICOS at 22021 20th Avenue SE, Bothell, Washington 98021, Attention: General Counsel.
ICOS and its directors, executive officers and certain other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in soliciting proxies from its shareholders in favor of the proposed merger. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be considered to be participants in the solicitation of ICOS' shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction is set forth in ICOS' definitive proxy statement for its special meeting. Additional information regarding these individuals and any interest they have in the proposed transaction is set forth in the definitive proxy statement on file with the SEC.
(1) Cialis(R) is a registered trademark of Lilly ICOS LLC.
Contact
For investors:
ICOS Corporation
Lacy Fitzpatrick, 425-415-2207
or
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
Dan Burch, 212-929-5748
Larry Dennedy, 212-929-5239
or
For media:
Abernathy MacGregor Group
Ian Campbell, 213-630-6550
Mike Pascale, 212-371-5999
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