HeartWare to buy VAD rival for $8M
HeartWare International, which develops and manufactures ventricular assist devices (VADs), has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire World Heart, a Salt Lake City-based developer of left ventricular assist devices, for consideration of $8 million, which will be paid in shares of HeartWare common stock or cash, at HeartWare's election.
"While we are intensely focused on the FDA panel for our HVAD system [this] month, and commencement of first-in-man studies for our MVAD [Miniaturized Ventricular Assist Device] System mid-year, we look forward to integrating WorldHeart's technologies and members of its talented team into our research efforts," said Douglas E. Godshall, president and CEO of the Framingham, Mass.-based HeartWare.
Under the merger agreement, each share of WorldHeart common stock will either be converted into the right to receive the number of shares of HeartWare common stock equal to the quotient determined by dividing per share merger consideration by the average of the per share closing prices of HeartWare common stock on NASDAQ during the 10 consecutive trading days ending on (and including) the trading day that is one calendar day prior to the date of the closing of the transaction or cash equal to the per share merger consideration at HeartWare's election. HeartWare added that the per share merger consideration will be determined by dividing $8 million by the number of shares of WorldHeart common stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis.
The boards of directors of both companies have approved the transaction. The transaction is subject to the approval of WorldHeart's stockholders and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. HeartWare stockholder approval is not required.
In connection with the merger, certain stockholders of WorldHeart have entered into voting agreements with HeartWare pursuant to which they have agreed to vote a certain number of their shares of WorldHeart common stock in favor of the merger at the WorldHeart stockholders' meeting.
Upon the closing of the transaction, which is expected within approximately 90 days, WorldHeart's operations will be integrated into those of HeartWare.
"While we are intensely focused on the FDA panel for our HVAD system [this] month, and commencement of first-in-man studies for our MVAD [Miniaturized Ventricular Assist Device] System mid-year, we look forward to integrating WorldHeart's technologies and members of its talented team into our research efforts," said Douglas E. Godshall, president and CEO of the Framingham, Mass.-based HeartWare.
Under the merger agreement, each share of WorldHeart common stock will either be converted into the right to receive the number of shares of HeartWare common stock equal to the quotient determined by dividing per share merger consideration by the average of the per share closing prices of HeartWare common stock on NASDAQ during the 10 consecutive trading days ending on (and including) the trading day that is one calendar day prior to the date of the closing of the transaction or cash equal to the per share merger consideration at HeartWare's election. HeartWare added that the per share merger consideration will be determined by dividing $8 million by the number of shares of WorldHeart common stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis.
The boards of directors of both companies have approved the transaction. The transaction is subject to the approval of WorldHeart's stockholders and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. HeartWare stockholder approval is not required.
In connection with the merger, certain stockholders of WorldHeart have entered into voting agreements with HeartWare pursuant to which they have agreed to vote a certain number of their shares of WorldHeart common stock in favor of the merger at the WorldHeart stockholders' meeting.
Upon the closing of the transaction, which is expected within approximately 90 days, WorldHeart's operations will be integrated into those of HeartWare.