05/13/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/13/2026 14:45
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of a tender offer.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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Item 1. Subject Company Information.
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1
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Item 2. Identity and Background of Filing Person.
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1
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Item 3. Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements.
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3
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Item 4. The Solicitation or Recommendation.
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13
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Item 5. Person/Assets Retained, Employed, Compensated or Used.
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37
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Item 6. Interest in Securities of the Subject Company.
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38
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Item 7. Purposes of the Transaction and Plans or Proposals.
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38
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Item 8. Additional Information.
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38
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Item 9. Exhibits.
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45
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Annex I: Opinion of Centerview Partners LLC
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I-1
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Item 1.
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Subject Company Information.
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Item 2.
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Identity and Background of Filing Person.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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•
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Each Company Option that is then outstanding and unexercised, and which has a per Share exercise price that is less than the Merger Consideration, shall be (i) to the extent not then vested, deemed fully vested and (ii) cancelled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment (without interest) equal to the product of (A) the excess of (x) the Merger Consideration over (y) the per Share exercise price of such Company Option, multiplied by (B) the total number of Shares subject to such Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time.
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Each Company Option with a per Share exercise price equal to or greater than the Merger Consideration shall be cancelled at the Effective Time without any consideration payable in respect thereof and shall have no further force or effect.
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Each then outstanding Company RSU shall be (i) deemed fully vested and (ii) cancelled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment (without interest) equal to the product of (A) the Merger Consideration multiplied by (B) the number of Shares subject to the Company RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time.
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Item 3.
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Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements.
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The Company's executive officers and directors hold equity-based awards that will be afforded the treatment described below in the section captioned "-Treatment of Company Equity Awards" in connection with the Merger;
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The Company's executive officers are eligible to receive severance payments and benefits in the event of a Change in Control Termination (as defined below in the section captioned "-Executive Employment Agreements and Change in Control Severance") pursuant to their individually executed employment agreements;
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Certain of the Company's executive officers are eligible to receive transaction bonuses in connection with the Transactions;
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Certain of the Company's executive officers are eligible to receive an additional payment intended to make them whole in the event that they are subject to certain excise taxes in connection with compensation related to the Transactions; and
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The Company's executive officers and directors are entitled to continued indemnification and insurance coverage under the Merger Agreement and indemnification agreements between such individuals and the Company.
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Name of Beneficial Owner
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Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)
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Cash
Consideration
for Shares
at Closing
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Executive Officers
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Benjamin L. Palleiko, Chief Executive Officer & Director
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462,577
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$12,489,579
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Brian Piekos, Chief Financial Officer
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18,150
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$490,050
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Paul K. Audhya, Chief Medical Officer
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142,547
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$3,848,769
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Nicole Sweeny, Chief Commercial Officer
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51,391
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$1,387,557
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Christopher M. Yea, Chief Development Officer
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226,701
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$6,120,927
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Bilal Arif, Chief Operating Officer
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-
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$-
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Non-Employee Directors
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William Fairey
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-
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$-
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Brian J. G. Pereira
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-
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$-
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Laurence Reid
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-
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$-
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Nancy Stuart
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-
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$-
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Patrick Treanor
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-
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$-
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Edward W. Unkart
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-
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$-
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Bethany Sensenig
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-
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$-
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All of our current executive officers and non-employee directors as a group (13 persons)
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901,366
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$24,336,882
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(1)
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In calculating the number of Shares beneficially owned for this purpose, we have excluded Shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding Company Options and the vesting and settlement of Company RSUs.
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Each Company Option that is then outstanding and unexercised, and which has a per Share exercise price that is less than the Merger Consideration (each, an "In the Money Option"), will be (i) to the extent not then vested, deemed fully vested and (ii) cancelled and converted into the right of the holder thereof to receive a cash payment (without interest) equal to the product of (A) the excess of (x) the Merger Consideration over (y) the per Share exercise price of such Company Option, multiplied by (B) the total number of Shares subject to such In the Money Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, which will be payable in accordance with the Merger Agreement;
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Each then outstanding Company Option with a per Share exercise price equal to or greater than the Merger Consideration will be cancelled at the Effective Time without any consideration payable in respect thereof and will have no further force or effect; and
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Each then outstanding Company RSU will be (i) deemed fully vested and (ii) cancelled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment (without interest) equal to the product of (A) the Merger Consideration multiplied by (B) the number of Shares subject to the Company RSUs immediately prior to the Effective Time, which will be payable in accordance with the Merger Agreement.
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Name
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Number of
In the Money
Options
(#)
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Value of
In the Money
Options(1)
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Number
of
Company
RSUs
(#)
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Value of
Company
RSUs(2)
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Executive Officers
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Benjamin L. Palleiko
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666,035
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$8,888,435
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810,787
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$21,891,249
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Brian Piekos
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100,000
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$1,513,000
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153,750
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$4,151,250
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Paul K. Audhya
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125,800
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$660,176
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216,169
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$5,836,563
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Nicole Sweeny
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100,000
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$1,749,000
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213,750
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$5,771,250
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Christopher M. Yea
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377,720
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$4,494,706
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74,899
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$2,022,273
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Bilal Arif
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100,000
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$1,604,000
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49,000
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$1,323,000
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Non-Employee Directors
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William Fairey
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57,000
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$866,600
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-
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$-
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Brian J. G. Pereira
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91,000
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$1,318,040
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$-
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Laurence Reid
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47,000
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$736,310
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$-
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Nancy Stuart
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60,000
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$997,000
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-
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$-
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Patrick Treanor
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67,000
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$1,085,100
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-
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$-
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Edward W. Unkart
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109,000
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$1,683,500
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-
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$-
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Bethany Sensenig
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45,000
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$672,750
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-
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$-
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(1)
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The estimated value of the In the Money Options equals the aggregate number of Shares underlying the In the Money Options multiplied by the amount by which the cash portion of the Merger Consideration ($27.00) exceeds the per share exercise price of the In the Money Options.
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(2)
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The estimated value of the Company RSUs equals the aggregate number of Shares underlying the Company RSUs, multiplied by the Merger Consideration ($27.00).
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Name
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Transaction Bonus Amount
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Benjamin L. Palleiko
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$5,070,000
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Paul Audhya
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$2,930,000
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Nicole Sweeny
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$2,500,000
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Brian Piekos
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$2,500,000
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Name
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Cash
($)(1)
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Equity
($)(2)
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Benefits
($)(3)
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Tax
Reimbursement
($)(4)
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Transaction
Bonus
($)(5)
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Total
($)(6)
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Benjamin L. Palleiko
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1,913,450
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23,456,220
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24,150
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-
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5,070,000
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30,463,820
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Brian Piekos
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776,620
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5,065,359
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13,800
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1,536,106
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2,500,000
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9,891,885
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Paul K. Audhya
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812,464
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5,846,096
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13,800
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-
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2,930,000
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9,602,360
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(1)
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Represents the value of a lump-sum cash payment equal to (i) 21 months (in the case of Mr. Palleiko) and 12 months (for the other executive officers) of the executive officer's base salary and (ii) target annual bonus for the year of termination, each as described above in the section captioned "- Executive Employment Agreements and Change in Control Severance" and based on the assumptions set forth above. The following table shows, for each named executive officer, as applicable, the amount of each component part of these cash payments. These amounts are all "double-trigger" in nature, i.e., eligibility to receive these amounts requires both the occurrence of a change in control and a Qualifying Termination of employment that occurs within 24 months following a change in control transaction.
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Name
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Cash
Severance
Payment
($)
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Target Annual
Bonus
($)
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Total
($)
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Benjamin L. Palleiko
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1,366,750
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546,700
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1,913,450
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Brian Piekos
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535,600
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241,020
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776,620
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Paul K. Audhya
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560,320
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252,144
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812,464
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(2)
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Represents estimated values associated with the full value of unvested In the Money Options, which are being cashed out in connection with the Merger, and the value of outstanding Company RSUs, which also are being cashed out in connection with the Merger, with each being treated as described above in the section captioned "-Treatment of Company Equity Awards" and based on the assumptions set forth above. In accordance with Item 402(t) of Regulation S-K, such values have been calculated using the Merger Consideration. By their terms, these arrangements are all "double-trigger" in nature, i.e., eligibility to receive these accelerated amounts requires both the occurrence of a change in control and a Qualifying Termination of employment that occurs within 24 months following a change in control transaction. However, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, all Company incentive equity awards that are outstanding as of the Effective Time will be cashed out or cancelled in connection with the Merger on a "single-trigger" basis.
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Name
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Value of Unvested
In the Money
Options
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Value of Unvested
Company
RSUs
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Total
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Benjamin L. Palleiko
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$1,564,971
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$21,891,249
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$23,456,220
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Brian Piekos
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$914,109
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$4,151,250
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$5,065,359
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Paul K. Audhya
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$9,533
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$5,836,563
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$5,846,096
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(3)
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Represents the estimated cost of the payment to each named executive officer relating to employer health insurance contribution payments, as provided in the employment agreements, as described above in the section captioned "-Executive Employment Agreements and Change in Control Severance." The following table shows, for each named executive officer, the amount of the health insurance contribution payment payable by the Company. These amounts are all "double-trigger" in nature, i.e., eligibility to receive these amounts requires both the occurrence of a change in control and a Qualifying Termination of employment that occurs within 24 months following a change in control transaction.
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Name
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COBRA Premiums
($)
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Benjamin L. Palleiko
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24,150
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Brian Piekos
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13,800
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Paul K. Audhya
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13,800
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(4)
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Represents the estimated value of the tax reimbursement or "gross-up" payment the Company may make to each named executive officer in the event of the imposition of an excise tax on the named executive officer, which is equal to an amount intended to put the named executive officer in substantially the same position, on an after-tax basis, as if the excise tax had not been imposed (taking into account income, employment, excise and other taxes which are imposed on the gross-up payment). This amount is "single-trigger" in nature.
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Name
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Tax Reimbursement
($)
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Benjamin L. Palleiko
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-
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Brian Piekos
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1,536,106
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Paul K. Audhya
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-
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(5)
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Represents the value of the cash transaction bonuses the Company may make to each named executive officer in connection with the Merger, contingent upon their continued employment through the date of the closing of the Merger. This amount is "single-trigger" in nature.
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Name
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Transaction Bonus
($)
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Benjamin L. Palleiko
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5,070,000
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Brian Piekos
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2,500,000
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Paul K. Audhya
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2,930,000
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(6)
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Under the employment agreements, amounts are subject to reduction in the event the applicable named executive officer would receive a greater benefit on an after-tax basis by having some of his change in control-related payments and benefits being cut back rather than paying the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code on such amounts. These amounts assume no such reduction is anticipated. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mr. Piekos, will receive a tax reimbursement payment in connection with the Merger.
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Item 4.
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The Solicitation or Recommendation.
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Business, Financial Condition and Prospects. The Company Board weighed the certainty of realizing an upfront payment of $27.00 per Share in cash in the Offer and the Merger against the uncertainty that the Company's trading values would approach an amount comparable to the Offer Price in the foreseeable future and the risks and uncertainties associated with the Company and its business as stand-alone company. In doing so, the Company Board considered both the current and historical financial condition, results of operations, competitive position, assets, business and prospects of the Company, including certain forecasts for the Company prepared by members of its management (as discussed in the section captioned "-Certain Unaudited Prospective Financial Information of the Company"), the risks and uncertainties associated with the Company continuing as a stand-alone company and the lack of another strategic
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Implied Premium. The Company Board considered the fact that the Offer Price represented a 40% premium over the Company's closing Share price on April 28, 2026, the last trading day before the Company Board approved the Transactions, an approximately 36% premium over the Company's 30-trading day volume-weighted average share price from that same day, and an approximately 45% premium over the Company's 60-trading day volume-weighted average share price from that same day.
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Certainty of Value. The Company Board considered the fact that the Offer Price and Merger Consideration payable to the Company's stockholders in the Offer and the Merger will consist entirely of cash, which will provide the Company's stockholders with immediate liquidity and certainty of value. The Company Board believed this certainty of value was compelling, especially when viewed against the risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's stand-alone strategy and the potential impact of such risks and uncertainties on the trading price of Shares.
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Negotiation Process. The Company Board considered the fact that the terms of the Offer and the Merger were the result of robust, arms'-length negotiations conducted by the Company with the knowledge and at the direction of the Company Board and with the assistance of independent financial and legal advisors. The Company Board also considered the enhancements that the Company was able to obtain as a result of negotiations with Parent, including the increase in Parent's proposed acquisition price from the time of its initial expression of interest to the end of negotiations and the inclusion of provisions in the Merger Agreement that increase the speed and likelihood of completing the Offer and consummating the Merger.
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Potentially Interested Counterparties. The Company Board considered that the Company had contacted three other potential counterparties, conducted limited diligence with and gave management presentation to all three of these potential counterparties, received two non-competitive non-binding offers from one of these potential counterparties, and all three of these potential counterparties had withdrawn from the process after indicating either that they would not be able transact at a value in the high-$20s, as would have been necessary to surpass Parent's March 18 offer of $26.50 per share, or because the timing of the potential transaction conflicted with their current strategic transaction capabilities (as described in more detail in the section captioned "-Background of the Offer and the Merger"). The Company Board also considered the fact that additional outreach to strategic counterparties could jeopardize a potential transaction with Parent and result in risks of leak and disruption to the existing process or to the Company's employees and business and that, in the event a third party became interested in pursuing a transaction on terms more favorable to the Company and its stockholders than those contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Company Board would be able to respond to such a proposal due to the Merger Agreement's customary "fiduciary out" provisions. Under those provisions, the Company has the ability to terminate the Merger Agreement and accept and enter into a definitive Merger Agreement with respect to an unsolicited Superior Offer (as defined in the Merger Agreement) provided that the Company pays the termination fee and has not breached its non-solicitation obligations (as described in more detail in Section 11 (The Merger Agreement-No Solicitation and -the Company Board Recommendation) of the Offer to Purchase).
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Strategic Alternatives. After discussions with representatives of Centerview and the Company's management, the Company Board considered the risks and potential benefits associated with other strategic alternatives and the potential for stockholder value creation associated with those alternatives. As part of these evaluations, the Company Board considered continuing to execute the Company's strategy on a stand-alone basis, considering the fact that the Company is heavily dependent on the successful commercialization of EKTERLY in the U.S. and other jurisdictions, but the Company has not yet demonstrated an ability to successfully conduct commercial activities and may fail to achieve the degree of market acceptance by physicians, patients, third-party payors and
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Certain Management Projections. The Company Board considered certain forecasts for the Company prepared by members of senior management, which reflected an application of various assumptions of the Company's management. For further discussion, see the section captioned "-Certain Unaudited Prospective Financial Information of the Company."
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Centerview's Fairness Opinion and Related Analysis. The Company Board considered the oral opinion of Centerview rendered to the Company Board on April 28, 2026, which was subsequently confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated April 28, 2026, that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the various assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered, and qualifications and limitations upon the review undertaken by Centerview in preparing its opinion, the Offer Price or Merger Consideration to be paid to the holders of Shares (other than as specified in such opinion) pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders, as more fully described below under the section captioned "-Opinion of Centerview Partners LLC." The full text of Centerview's written opinion dated April 28, 2026, which set forth, among other things, the various assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations upon the review undertaken by Centerview in preparing its opinion, has been included as Annex I to this Schedule 14D-9 and is incorporated herein by reference.
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Speed and Likelihood of Consummation. The Company Board considered that the structure of the transaction (a tender offer followed by a merger effected pursuant to Section 251(h) of the DGCL, which would not require additional approval by the Company's stockholders) enables the Company's stockholders to receive the Offer Price pursuant to the Offer in a relatively short timeframe. The Company Board also considered the likelihood that the Offer would be completed, and the Merger would be consummated based on, among other things (not in any relative order of importance):
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the fact that, subject to its limited rights to terminate the Offer, Purchaser is required to extend the Offer beyond the initial expiration date of the Offer if certain conditions to the completion of the Offer are not satisfied as of such date;
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○
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the fact that the completion of the Offer is conditioned on meeting the Minimum Condition, which cannot be waived without the prior written consent of the Company;
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○
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the fact that there is no financing condition to the completion of the Offer and consummation of the Merger;
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the business reputation, capabilities and financial condition of Parent, and the Company Board's perception that Parent is willing to devote the resources necessary to complete the Offer and the Merger in an expeditious manner; and
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○
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the ability of the Company to enforce the Merger Agreement.
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Other Terms of the Merger Agreement. The Company Board considered other terms of the Merger Agreement, as described in more detail in Section 11 (The Merger Agreement) of the Offer to Purchase. Certain provisions of the Merger Agreement that the Company Board considered important included:
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○
|
Ability to Respond to Acquisition Proposals. The fact that, although the Company is prohibited from soliciting any acquisition proposal, the Merger Agreement permits the Company Board, subject to compliance with certain procedural requirements (including that the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that an acquisition proposal constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Superior Offer (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and that the failure to take such action would be inconsistent with the fiduciary duties of the Company Board to the Company's stockholders under applicable law): (i) to enter into a confidentiality agreement with the person making such acquisition proposal; (ii) to furnish information with respect to the Company to the person making such acquisition proposal; and (iii) to engage in discussions or negotiations with the person making such acquisition proposal (as described in more detail in Section 11 (The Merger Agreement-No Solicitation) of the Offer to Purchase).
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
○
|
Change of Recommendation in Response to a Superior Offer; Ability to Accept a Superior Company Proposal. If the Company Board receives an acquisition proposal, and, after Parent is provided an opportunity to revise the terms of the Merger Agreement to match the alternative acquisition proposal, determines in good faith after consultation with the Company's outside legal counsel that such acquisition proposal constitutes a Superior Offer and that the failure to do so would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties to the Company's stockholders under applicable legal requirements, the Company Board may, prior to the Offer Acceptance Time, take a number of actions, including withdrawing, withholding, modifying or qualifying its recommendation to stockholders concerning the Offer and the Merger and adopting, approving and recommending to stockholders and declaring advisable such acquisition proposal. The Company may terminate the Merger Agreement and enter into an alternative acquisition agreement with respect to a Superior Offer, so long as the Company has not breached its non-solicitation obligations and subject to the Company's payment of the termination fee of $66.4 million in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement (as described in more detail in Section 11 (The Merger Agreement-No Solicitation and -the Company Board Recommendation) of the Offer to Purchase).
|
|
○
|
Change of Recommendation in Response to an Intervening Event. If the Company Board, other than in connection with a Superior Offer and prior to the Offer Acceptance Time, determines in good faith, after consultation with the Company's outside legal counsel, that the failure to do so would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties to the Company's stockholders under applicable legal requirements, the Company Board may, in response to an "Intervening Event" (as defined below), take a number of actions, including withdrawing, withholding, modifying or qualifying its recommendation to stockholders concerning the Offer and the Merger (as described in more detail in Section 11 (The Merger Agreement) of the Offer to Purchase). "Intervening Event" means any material event, fact, development or occurrence that affects the business, assets or operations of the Company that is unknown to, and not reasonably foreseeable by, the Company Board as of the date of the Merger Agreement, or if known to the Company Board as of the date of the Merger Agreement, the material consequences of which were not known to, and not reasonably foreseeable by, the Company Board as of the date of the Merger Agreement. Parent is entitled to terminate the Merger Agreement in the event that the Company Board changes its recommendation for any reason, in which event the Company will have an obligation to pay the termination fee of $66.4 million (as described in more detail in Section 11 (The Merger Agreement) of the Offer to Purchase).
|
|
○
|
Extension of the Offer. Purchaser's obligation to accept and pay for all Shares that have been validly tendered into the Offer and not validly withdrawn is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions; however, Purchaser is required to extend the Offer beyond the initial expiration date from time to time for: (i) any period required by any legal requirement, any interpretation or position of the SEC, its staff or Nasdaq; (ii) one or more consecutive increments of up to ten business days per extension, until any waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the consummation of the Offer under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"), any foreign Antitrust Law (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and any Foreign Investment Law (as defined in the Merger Agreement) expires or terminates; and (iii) at the request of the Company, additional periods of consecutive increments of such duration as required by the Company, but not more than ten business days per extension, on one or more occasions, provided that if, as of the then-scheduled expiration date, all conditions of the Offer have been satisfied or waived except the Minimum Tender Condition, Purchaser shall not be required to extend the Offer pursuant to clause (iii) on more than three occasions to permit the Minimum Tender Condition to be satisfied.
|
|
○
|
End Date. The termination date under the Merger Agreement on which either the Company or Parent, subject to certain exceptions, can terminate the Merger Agreement is October 29, 2026, which is anticipated to allow for sufficient time to consummate the Offer and the Merger while minimizing the length of time during which the Company would be required to operate subject to the restrictions on interim operations set forth in the Merger Agreement. The termination date is subject to an additional automatic extension of 90 days in the event that the only Offer Conditions not satisfied or waived as of the End Date are (i) the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act or the
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
○
|
Cooperation. The Merger Agreement requires Parent to use its reasonable efforts to consummate the Offer and the Merger.
|
|
○
|
Material Adverse Effect. The scope of matters that are specifically excluded from consideration in determining whether a "Material Adverse Effect" has occurred is sufficient to protect the Company's interest in ensuring certainty of the consummation of the Offer and the Merger (as described in more detail in Section 11 (The Merger Agreement-Material Adverse Effect) of the Offer to Purchase).
|
|
○
|
Appraisal Rights. Statutory appraisal rights under Delaware law in connection with the Merger will be available to stockholders who do not tender their Shares in the Offer and who otherwise comply with all required procedures under Delaware law. For a description of these appraisal rights, see information under the section captioned "Item 8. Additional Information-Notice of Appraisal Rights."
|
|
•
|
No Ongoing Equity Interest in the Company. The Offer and the Merger would preclude the Company's stockholders from having the opportunity to directly participate in the future performance of the Company's assets and any potential future appreciation of the value of the Shares. Additionally, given that Parent is a private company, the Company's stockholders would not have the ability to invest in Parent separately.
|
|
•
|
Inability to Solicit Takeover Proposals. The Merger Agreement contains covenants prohibiting the Company from soliciting other potential acquisition proposals and restricting its ability to entertain other potential acquisition proposals unless certain conditions are satisfied. The Company Board also considered the fact that the right afforded to Parent under the Merger Agreement to match an alternative acquisition proposal that the Company Board determines in good faith is a Superior Offer (as defined in the Merger Agreement) may discourage other parties that might otherwise have an interest in a business combination with, or an acquisition of, the Company.
|
|
•
|
Termination Fee. The Company may be required to pay the $66.4 million termination fee if the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, including by the Company to accept a Superior Offer. The Company Board considered the risk that the amount of the termination fee would deter potential alternative acquisition proposals.
|
|
•
|
Effect of Announcement. The public announcement of the transaction could potentially affect the Company's operations, employees and stock price, as well as its ability to attract and retain key personnel while the transaction is pending.
|
|
•
|
Litigation Risk. The execution of the Merger Agreement, the completion of the Offer and the consummation of the Merger increases the risk of litigation against the Company.
|
|
•
|
Interim Operating Covenants. The Merger Agreement imposes restrictions on the conduct of the Company's business prior to the consummation of the Merger, which require the Company to conduct its business in the ordinary course and refrain from taking specified actions. The Company Board considered that such restrictions could delay or prevent the Company from pursuing business strategies or opportunities that may arise pending consummation of the Merger.
|
|
•
|
Risks that the Minimum Condition Might Not Be Satisfied. The Company's stockholders may tender an insufficient number of Shares to meet the Minimum Condition.
|
|
•
|
Risks the Merger Might Not Be Completed. Although the Company expects that the Offer will be completed and the Merger will be consummated, there can be no assurance that all conditions to the parties' obligations will be satisfied. The Company Board considered the risks and costs to the Company if the Offer is not completed or the Merger is not consummated, including the diversion of the Company's management and its employees' attention, potential employee attrition, the potential effect on vendors, partners, licensees and others that do business with the Company and the potential effect on the trading price of the Shares.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
•
|
Transaction Costs. Significant costs have been and will continue to be incurred in connection with the Company's evaluation of strategic alternatives, negotiating and entering into the Merger Agreement and completing the Offer and the Merger, and substantial time and effort of the Company's management will be required, potentially resulting in disruptions to the operation of the Company's business.
|
|
•
|
Potential Conflicts of Interest. The Company Board considered the potential conflict of interest created by the fact that the Company's executive officers and directors have financial interests in the Offer and the Merger that may be different from or in addition to those of other stockholders, as more fully described under the section captioned "Item 3. Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements-Arrangements between the Company and its Executive Officers, Directors and Affiliates."
|
|
•
|
Regulatory Approval and Risk of Pending Actions. The risks associated with the need to make antitrust filings and obtain antitrust clearance in the U.S. and Germany, and the need to make a foreign direct investment filing and obtain clearance in Italy (as further described under the section captioned "Item 8. Additional Information-Regulatory Approvals"), as well as the fact that the obligation of Purchaser to accept for payment and pay for Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer is subject to a condition that there be no legal requirement that prohibits or makes illegal the acquisition of the Shares in the Offer or the Merger.
|
|
•
|
Tax Treatment. Gains realized by the Company's stockholders as a result of the Offer and the Merger generally will be taxable to the stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
Calendar year ended December 31,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
2026(1)
|
|
|
2027
|
|
|
2028
|
|
|
2029
|
|
|
2030
|
|
|
2031
|
|
|
2032
|
|
|
2033
|
|
|
2034
|
|
|
Net Revenue
|
|
|
$185
|
|
|
$279
|
|
|
$350
|
|
|
$446
|
|
|
$601
|
|
|
$588
|
|
|
$609
|
|
|
$638
|
|
|
$651
|
|
Gross Profit
|
|
|
$150
|
|
|
$232
|
|
|
$296
|
|
|
$384
|
|
|
$532
|
|
|
$517
|
|
|
$537
|
|
|
$564
|
|
|
$576
|
|
Operating Income
|
|
|
$(99)
|
|
|
$1
|
|
|
$84
|
|
|
$180
|
|
|
$325
|
|
|
$307
|
|
|
$323
|
|
|
$347
|
|
|
$356
|
|
Unlevered Free Cash Flow
|
|
|
$(69)(2)
|
|
|
$(10)
|
|
|
$59
|
|
|
$132
|
|
|
$246
|
|
|
$237
|
|
|
$252
|
|
|
$271
|
|
|
$279
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
Calendar year ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
2035
|
|
|
2036
|
|
|
2037
|
|
|
2038
|
|
|
2039
|
|
|
2040
|
|
|
2041
|
|
|
2042
|
|
|
Net Revenue
|
|
|
$681
|
|
|
$704
|
|
|
$696
|
|
|
$705
|
|
|
$352
|
|
|
$176
|
|
|
$88
|
|
|
$44
|
|
Gross Profit
|
|
|
$604
|
|
|
$627
|
|
|
$621
|
|
|
$627
|
|
|
$325
|
|
|
$163
|
|
|
$81
|
|
|
$41
|
|
Operating Income
|
|
|
$381
|
|
|
$400
|
|
|
$390
|
|
|
$393
|
|
|
$210
|
|
|
$105
|
|
|
$53
|
|
|
$26
|
|
Unlevered Free Cash Flow
|
|
|
$297
|
|
|
$313
|
|
|
$308
|
|
|
$308
|
|
|
$201
|
|
|
$100
|
|
|
$50
|
|
|
$25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
In April 2026 and following the end of the Company's first fiscal quarter, the Company's senior management updated the financial projections to reflect the Company's actual financial results through that first quarter and those updated figures are reflected for the year 2026 in this table and in Centerview's analyses. Prior to this update, the Management Projections included the following values for 2026 Net Revenue, Gross Profit, Operating Income and Unlevered Free Cash Flow, respectively and in millions: $183, $149, -$99 and -$61.
|
|
(2)
|
Represents Unlevered Free Cash Flow for 2Q'26 to 4Q'26.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
•
|
a draft of the Merger Agreement, dated April 28, 2026, referred to in this summary of Centerview's opinion as the "Draft Merger Agreement";
|
|
•
|
the Transition Report on Form 10-KT for the period from May 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 and Annual Reports on Form 10-K of the Company for the years ended April 30, 2025 and April 30, 2024;
|
|
•
|
certain interim reports to stockholders and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q of the Company;
|
|
•
|
certain publicly available research analyst reports for the Company;
|
|
•
|
certain other communications from the Company to its stockholders; and
|
|
•
|
certain internal information relating to the business, operations, earnings, cash flow, assets, liabilities and prospects of the Company, including certain financial forecasts, analyses and projections relating to the Company prepared by management of the Company and furnished to Centerview by the Company for purposes of Centerview's analysis, which are referred to in this summary of Centerview's opinion as the "Forecasts," and which are collectively referred to in this summary of Centerview's opinion as the "Internal Data" (for more information, please see the section captioned "-Certain Unaudited Prospective Financial Information of the Company").
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date Announced
|
|
|
Target
|
|
|
Acquiror
|
|
Apr-26
|
|
|
Soleno Therapeutics, Inc.
|
|
|
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
|
|
Mar-26
|
|
|
Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
|
|
|
Servier Pharmaceuticals LLC
|
|
Nov-25
|
|
|
Avadel Pharmaceuticals plc
|
|
|
Alkermes plc
|
|
Apr-25
|
|
|
SpringWorks Therapeutics, Inc.
|
|
|
Merck KGaA
|
|
May-24
|
|
|
Calliditas Therapeutics AB
|
|
|
Asahi Kasei Corporation
|
|
May-23
|
|
|
CTI BioPharma Corp.
|
|
|
Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB
|
|
Jan-23
|
|
|
Albireo Pharma, Inc.
|
|
|
Ipsen S.A.
|
|
Jan-23
|
|
|
Amryt Pharma plc
|
|
|
Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
•
|
Historical Stock Trading Price Analysis. Centerview reviewed historical closing trading prices of the Shares during the 52-week period ended April 28, 2026 (the last trading day before the public announcement of the Transactions), which reflected low and high closing prices for the Shares during such period of approximately $9.83 to $20.87 per Share.
|
|
•
|
Analyst Price Target Analysis. Centerview reviewed stock price targets for the Shares in publicly available Wall Street research analyst reports as of April 28, 2026, which indicated low and high price targets for the Shares ranging from $22.00 to $42.00 per Share.
|
|
•
|
Premia Paid Analysis. Centerview performed an analysis of premia paid in certain selected transactions involving publicly traded biopharmaceutical companies that Centerview, based on its experience and judgment as a financial advisor, deemed relevant to consider in relation to the Company and the Transactions and for which premium data was available, which consisted of the selected transactions set forth above in the section captioned "- Selected Precedent Transaction Analysis." The premia in this analysis were calculated by comparing the per share acquisition price in each transaction (excluding contingent consideration, if any) to the closing price of such target company's common stock for the date one day prior to the date on which the trading price of the target's common stock was perceived to be affected by a potential transaction. Based on the analysis above and other considerations that Centerview deemed relevant in its professional judgment, Centerview applied a premia reference range of 35% to 105% to the Company's closing stock price on April 28, 2026 (the last trading day before the public announcement of the Transactions) of $19.24, which resulted in an implied price per Share range of $25.95 to $39.45, rounded to the nearest $0.05.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
Item 5.
|
Person/Assets Retained, Employed, Compensated or Used.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
Item 6.
|
Interest in Securities of the Subject Company.
|
|
Item 7.
|
Purposes of the Transaction and Plans or Proposals.
|
|
Item 8.
|
Additional Information.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
•
|
the transaction in which the stockholder became an interested stockholder or the business combination was approved by the board of directors of the corporation before the other party to the business combination became an interested stockholder;
|
|
•
|
upon consummation of the transaction that made the stockholder an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the commencement of the transaction (excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) the voting stock owned by directors who are also officers or held in employee benefit plans in which the employees do not have a confidential right to tender or vote stock held by the plan); or
|
|
•
|
the business combination was approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that the interested stockholder did not own.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
•
|
prior to the later of the consummation of the Offer and 20 days after the date of dissemination of this Schedule 14D-9, deliver to the Company a written demand for appraisal of Shares held, which demand must reasonably inform the Company of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder is demanding appraisal;
|
|
•
|
not tender such stockholder's Shares in the Offer;
|
|
•
|
continuously hold of record or beneficially own the Shares from the date on which the written demand for appraisal is made through the Effective Time; and
|
|
•
|
comply with the procedures of Section 262 of the DGCL for perfecting appraisal rights thereafter.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
Item 9.
|
Exhibits.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
No.
|
|
|
Description
|
|
|
|
Offer to Purchase, dated May 13, 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1)(A) to the Schedule TO, filed May 13, 2026).
|
|
|
|
|
Letter of Transmittal (including Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on IRS Form W-9) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1)(B) to the Schedule TO).
|
|
|
|
|
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, dated May 13, 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1)(C) to the Schedule TO).
|
|
|
|
|
Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1)(D) to the Schedule TO).
|
|
|
|
|
Letter to Clients for use by Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1)(E) to the Schedule TO).
|
|
|
|
|
Summary Advertisement as published in the New York Times on May 13, 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1)(F) to the Schedule TO).
|
|
|
|
|
Joint Press Release of the Company and Parent, dated April 29, 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 001-36544), filed April 29, 2026).
|
|
|
|
|
Social Media Posts, dated April 29, 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Schedule 14D-9C, filed April 29, 2026).
|
|
|
|
|
Email to Company Employees, dated April 29, 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Company's Schedule 14D-9C, filed April 29, 2026).
|
|
|
|
|
Company Employee FAQ, dated April 29, 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the Company's Schedule 14D-9C, filed April 29, 2026).
|
|
|
|
|
Email to Healthcare Providers, dated April 29, 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 to the Company's Schedule 14D-9C, filed April 29, 2026).
|
|
|
|
|
Email to Investors and Analysts, dated April 29, 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.6 to the Company's Schedule 14D-9C, filed April 29, 2026).
|
|
|
|
|
Email to Company Stakeholders, dated April 29, 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.7 to the Company's Schedule 14D-9C, filed April 29, 2026).
|
|
|
|
|
Email to Patients, dated April 29, 2026 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.8 to the Company's Schedule 14D-9C, filed April 29, 2026).
|
|
|
(a)(5)(I)*
|
|
|
Opinion of Centerview Partners LLC, dated April 28, 2026 (included as Annex I herein).
|
|
|
|
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 29, 2026, among Company, Parent, and Purchaser (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 001-36830), filed April 29, 2026).
|
|
|
|
|
Mutual Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of January 23, 2026, by and between the Company and Parent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(2) to the Schedule TO).
|
|
|
|
|
First Amendment to Mutual Confidentiality Agreement, dated February 27, 2026, by and between the Company and Parent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(3) to the Schedule TO).
|
|
|
|
|
Form of Indemnification Agreement to be entered into between the Company and its directors and executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36830) filed on October 6, 2025).
|
|
|
|
|
2017 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement on Form DEF 14A (File No. 001-36830) filed on March 2, 2017).
|
|
|
|
|
Company ESPP (incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement on Form DEF 14A (File No. 001-36830) filed on March 2, 2017).
|
|
|
|
|
Forms of Equity Agreements under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36830) filed on June 29, 2018).
|
|
|
|
|
Enrollment/Change Form under the Company ESPP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-237059) filed on March 10, 2020).
|
|
|
|
|
Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and Paul K. Audhya, dated September 9, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36830) filed on September 10, 2024).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
No.
|
|
|
Description
|
|
|
|
Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and Benjamin L. Palleiko, dated September 9, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36830) filed on September 10, 2024).
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and Bilal Arif, dated September 18, 2025 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Transition Report on Form 10-KT filed on March 25, 2026).
|
|
|
|
|
Amended and Restated 2021 Equity Inducement Plan and forms of agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-292960) filed on January 26, 2026).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
Filed herewith.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
By:
|
|
|
/s/ Benjamin L. Palleiko
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
|
Benjamin L. Palleiko
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Very truly yours,
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
/s/ Centerview Partners LLC
|
|
|
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CENTERVIEW PARTNERS LLC
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