NEW YORK, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bristol-Myers Squibb
Company (NYSE: BMY) and Avista Capital Partners, a leading private equity
firm, announced today the parties have signed a definitive agreement for
Avista to acquire Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging ("BMS MI"), a
business unit of Bristol-Myers Squibb, for approximately $525 million of
cash proceeds. BMS MI is a leading supplier of medical imaging products for
nuclear and ultrasound cardiovascular diagnostic imaging procedures.
"As Bristol-Myers Squibb continues to focus on evolving into a next-
generation BioPharma company, we determined the best way to maximize the
value of Medical Imaging for shareholders was to sell this business and
reinvest the proceeds into our pharmaceutical research, development and
commercialization efforts," said James M. Cornelius, chief executive
officer, Bristol-Myers Squibb. "At the same time, we believe that Medical
Imaging can maximize its potential under new ownership, and Avista has a
proven track record of success in the healthcare field."
David Burgstahler, a partner at Avista Capital Partners, said,
"Bristol- Myers Squibb Medical Imaging is widely recognized as a pioneer in
cardiovascular imaging agents, and for its strong technical manufacturing
expertise. BMS MI is a great fit for our healthcare portfolio, as it
addresses the healthcare industry's increasing need for improved diagnostic
tools. We believe it is well-positioned for continued success."
The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of January 2008,
subject to customary regulatory approvals, at which time BMS MI will
operate as an independent company under a new name. Don Kiepert, the
founder and former Chairman, CEO, and President of Point Therapeutics, will
become the chief executive officer of the company upon completion of the
transaction. "I am thrilled to be partnering with the existing management
team of BMS MI and Avista Capital as we transition BMS MI to an independent
company," said Kiepert.
"BMS MI has exceptional brands, a cutting-edge research and development
facility, and a knowledgeable sales force. It is a great fit for our
healthcare portfolio, as it addresses the healthcare industry's increasing
need for improved diagnostic tools," said Larry Pickering, Avista Capital
Partners' healthcare industry partner. "We believe that BMS MI is well-
positioned for continued success and Don Kiepert is the right leader to
optimize the growth opportunities within BMS MI's pipeline."
Tim Ravenscroft, president of BMS MI said, "The Avista team is
committed to long-term growth, and as the new owner of the business, will
renew our focus on developing and expanding our business."
Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging will be Avista's sixth investment
in the healthcare industry. On December 13, 2007, Avista agreed to acquire
from Boston Scientific its Fluid Management and Venous Access businesses.
Also in 2007, Avista made healthcare investments in BioReliance
(http://www.bioreliance.com) and VWR International (http://www.vwr.com), and in 2006
Avista announced investments in Nycomed (http://www.nycomed.com) and MedServe
(http://www.medserveinc.com). While at DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, the Avista
partners were involved in numerous healthcare transactions including
Accellent, Charles River Laboratories, Focus Diagnostics, KCI, NextPharma,
Prometheus Labs, and Warner Chilcott.
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. served as financial advisor for
Bristol-Myers Squibb and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP served as legal
counsel for the company. Weil, Gotshal & Manges served as legal counsel for
Avista Capital Partners.
About Bristol-Myers Squibb and Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is a global biopharmaceutical and related
health care products company. Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging is a
worldwide leader in cardiovascular imaging. Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical
Imaging is a subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. For more
information, visit http://www.bms.com.
About Avista Capital Partners
Avista Capital Partners is a leading private equity firm with offices
in New York, NY and Houston, TX. Founded in 2005, Avista's strategy is to
make controlling or influential minority investments primarily in
growth-oriented media, healthcare and energy companies. Through its team of
seasoned investment professionals and industry experts, Avista seeks to
partner with exceptional management teams to invest in and add value to
well-positioned businesses. For more information, visit http://www.avistacap.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT FOR BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term
is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
regarding a proposed agreement for the sale of a business unit of
Bristol-Myers Squibb.. Such forward-looking statements are based on current
expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including
factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause
actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations.
No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Specifically, there can be
no guarantee that the proposed transaction described in this news release
will be completed by January 2008 or will be completed at all.
Forward-looking statements in the press release should be evaluated
together with the many uncertainties that affect Bristol- Myers Squibb's
business, particularly those identified in the cautionary factors
discussion in Bristol- Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2006, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and
Current Reports on Form 8-K. Bristol-Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation
to publicly update any forward- looking statement, whether as a result of
new information, future events, or otherwise.
SOURCE Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
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Related links:
http://www.bms.com
http://www.avistacap.com
CONTACT:
Media: Pete Paradossi, Communications,
+1-812-429-7413, pete.paradossi@bms.com, Jeff Macdonald,
Communications, +1-212-546-4824, jeffrey.macdonald@bms.com,
Investors: John Elicker, Investor Relations, +1-212-546-3775,
john.elicker@bms.com, all of BMS; Diana Postemsky of Kekst and
Company, +1-212-521-4805, diana-postemsky@kekst.com, for Avista
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