Actavis and Forest Receive U.S. FTC Clearance for Actavis’ Proposed Acquisition of Forest

DUBLIN and NEW YORK, June 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Actavis plc (NYSE: ACT) and Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX) today announced that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has voted to approve Actavis' proposed acquisition of Forest.  The vote in support of the transaction follows Actavis and Forest's agreement to a proposed consent order, pursuant to which the companies have agreed to divest certain products as a condition to obtaining FTC approval.  The closing of the transaction remains subject to other customary closing conditions, and is expected to be effective on July 1, 2014.

Under the terms of the consent order with the FTC and subject to the consummation of the transaction between Actavis and Forest, Actavis will divest two approved applications to Impax Laboratories, Inc.: Lamotrigine orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) and Ursodiol tablets.    

Forest will divest its approved application and manufacturing rights for propranolol extended release capsules to an affiliate of Catalent Pharma Solutions.  The product will continue to be marketed by Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc.  In addition, Forest will end its license and supply agreement with Valeant Pharmaceuticals Inc. for the generic version of Tiazac (diltiazem).  Separate from the consent order, but still subject to the consummation of the Actavis and Forest transaction, Forest has also agreed to end its license and supply agreement on the brand version of Tiazac, returning full rights to the product to Valeant.  Other terms of the divestitures were not disclosed. 

About Actavis

Actavis plc (NYSE: ACT) is a global, integrated specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing, manufacturing and distributing generic, brand and biosimilar products.  Actavis has global headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and U.S. administrative headquarters in Parsippany, New Jersey, USA. 

Actavis develops and manufactures generic, brand, branded generic, legacy brands and Over-the-Counter (OTC) pharmaceutical products and has commercial operations in approximately 60 countries.  The Company's North American branded pharmaceuticals business is focused principally in the Women's Health, Urology, Gastroenterology and Dermatology therapeutic categories with a strong pipeline of products in various stages of development.  Actavis also has a portfolio of five biosimilar products in development in Women's Health and Oncology.  Actavis Global Operations has more than 30 manufacturing and distribution facilities around the world, and includes Anda, Inc., a U.S. pharmaceutical product distributor.

For press release and other company information, visit Actavis' Web site at http://www.actavis.com.

About Forest

Forest Laboratories (NYSE: FRX) is a leading, fully integrated, specialty pharmaceutical company largely focused on the United States market. Forest markets a portfolio of branded drug products and develops new medicines to treat patients suffering from diseases principally in five therapeutic areas: central nervous system, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and anti-infective. Forest's strategy of acquiring product rights for development and commercialization through licensing, collaborative partnerships and targeted mergers and acquisitions allows Forest to take advantage of attractive late-stage development and commercial opportunities, thereby managing the risks inherent in drug development. In January 2014, Forest acquired Aptalis Pharmaceuticals for $2.9 billion in cash in order to gain access to its GI and Cystic Fibrosis products, including treatments for Ulcerative Proctitis, Duodenal Ulcers, H. Pylori, Anal Fissures, and Pancreatic Insufficiency. In February 2014, Forest and Actavis plc announced an agreement where Forest would be acquired for about $25 billion in cash and stock. The acquisition of Forest by Actavis is contingent upon customary closing conditions.

Forest is headquartered in New York, NY. To learn more, visit www.frx.com.

Important Information for Investors and Shareholders

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. In connection with the proposed merger between Actavis and Forest, Actavis has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a registration statement on Form S-4 containing a joint proxy statement of Actavis and Forest that also constitutes a prospectus of Actavis.  The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on May 2, 2014.  Each of Actavis and Forest has mailed to its stockholders or shareholders the proxy statement/prospectus.  In addition, each of Actavis and Forest has filed and will file with the SEC other documents with respect to the proposed transaction.  INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF ACTAVIS AND FOREST ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the registration statement and the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by Actavis and Forest through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Actavis will be available free of charge on Actavis' internet website at www.actavis.com or by contacting Actavis' Investor Relations Department at (862) 261-7488. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Forest will be available free of charge on Forest's internet website at www.frx.com or by contacting Forest's Investor Relations Department at (212) 224-6713.

Actavis Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this communication that refer to Actavis' estimated or anticipated future results, including estimated synergies, or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Actavis' current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of this communication. Forward looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "could," "should," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "outlook," "guidance," "intend," "may," "might," "will," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," or other similar words, phrases or expressions. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the expected timing of the Election Deadline and the completion of the transaction. It is important to note that Actavis' goals and expectations are not predictions of actual performance. Actual results may differ materially from Actavis' current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Actavis' business, Forest's business and risks associated with acquisition transactions. These factors include, among others, the risk that a condition to closing of the Forest acquisition may not be satisfied on a timely basis or at all; the failure of the proposed transaction to close for any other reason; risks relating to the value of the Actavis shares to be issued in the transaction; the anticipated size of the markets and continued demand for Actavis' and Forest's products; the impact of competitive products and pricing; access to available financing (including financing for the acquisition or refinancing of Actavis or Forest debt) on a timely basis and on reasonable terms; the risks of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the risks and uncertainties normally incident to the pharmaceutical industry, including product liability claims and the availability of product liability insurance on reasonable terms; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of pending or future litigation or government investigations; periodic dependence on a small number of products for a material source of net revenue or income; variability of trade buying patterns; changes in generally accepted accounting principles; risks that the carrying values of assets may be negatively impacted by future events and circumstances; the timing and success of product launches; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of product development efforts and regulatory agency approvals or actions, if any; market acceptance of and continued demand for Actavis' and Forest's products; costs and efforts to defend or enforce intellectual property rights; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; the availability and pricing of third party sourced products and materials; successful compliance with governmental regulations applicable to Actavis' and Forest's facilities, products and/or businesses; changes in the laws and regulations affecting, among other things, pricing and reimbursement of pharmaceutical products; changes in tax laws or interpretations that could increase Actavis' consolidated tax liabilities; the loss of key senior management or scientific staff; and such other risks and uncertainties detailed in Actavis' periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Actavis plc's Annual Report on form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, Quarterly Report on form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and Current Report on form 8-K filed on May 20, 2014 (File No. 14856401) and from time to time in Actavis' other investor communications. Except as expressly required by law, Actavis disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements.

Forest Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the expected timing of the Election Deadline and completion of the transaction. It is important to note that Forest's goals and expectations are not predictions of actual performance. Actual results may differ materially from Forest's current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Forest's business, Actavis' business and risks associated with acquisition transactions. These factors include, among others, the risk that a condition to closing of the acquisition may not be satisfied on a timely basis or at all; the failure of the proposed transaction to close for any other reason; risks relating to the value of the Actavis shares to be issued in the transaction; access to available financing (including financing for the acquisition or refinancing of Forest or Actavis debt) on a timely basis and on reasonable terms; the difficulty of predicting FDA approvals, the acceptance and demand for new pharmaceutical products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the timely development and launch of new products, and the risk factors listed from time to time in Forest Laboratories' Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any subsequent SEC filings.  Forest assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect new information or future events or developments.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130124/NY47381LOGO

SOURCE Actavis plc