U.S. health-care products giant Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) said
Tuesday it has acquired nearly all of the shares of Dutch
biotechnology company Crucell NV (CRXL, CRXL.AE).
J&J said it has acquired 98.89% of the vaccine maker's stock
as of the expiration of its offering period. In correlation,
Crucell plans to delist its shares on Euronext Amsterdam and the
Swiss Exchange as well as its American depositary shares on the
Nasdaq Global Market Select "as soon as reasonably
practicable."
Johnson & Johnson had noted in February that 95% of
Crucell's issue share capital was either tendered in the offer or
was spoken for by J&J through its own holdings or options to
buy them.
J&J in December formally launched its EUR1.75 billion
takeover offer for Crucell. The companies had said in October they
had reached an agreement in principle on J&J's offer for the
portion of the Dutch vaccine maker it didn't already own.
In February, Crucell's second-biggest shareholder, Van Herk
Group, said it intended to tender its shares to the bid.
Shares of Johnson & Johnson closed at $60.71 and were
inactive after-hours. The stock has fallen 5.4% in the past year.
Crucell's ADS closed at $34 and were inactive after-hours.
By Nathan Becker, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2855; nathan.becker@dowjones.com