C. | REASONS FOR, AND BENEFITS OF, THE DISPOSAL |
As the core business of the Group is the discovery and global development and commercialization of targeted therapies and immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases, the disposal by the Seller of its interest in the Consumer Products Businesses will allow the Group to focus resources on its core business areas.
The Directors (including independent non-executive Directors) consider that the Disposal is on normal commercial terms and in the ordinary and usual course of business of the Group and the terms of the Share Sale and Purchase Agreement are fair and reasonable and in the interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole.
The Company expects to record a gain on disposal of approximately US$0.1 million based on the difference between the aggregate purchase price for the Sale Shares and the Seller’s share of the net asset values of HOIHL and HCPHL. The actual gain to be recorded by the Company is subject to audit, and therefore may vary from the amount mentioned above. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Disposal in its core business of discovery and global development and commercialization of targeted therapies and immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases.
While none of the Directors has any material interest in the Disposal, Mr TO Chi Keung, Simon, Dr Dan ELDAR and Ms Edith SHIH who are also directors of CK Hutchison, HWCL or CK Hutchison’s related companies voluntarily abstained from voting on the board resolutions of the Company approving the Disposal.
D. | IMPLICATIONS UNDER THE LISTING RULES |
As at the date of this announcement, Hutchison Healthcare Holdings Limited holds approximately 38.16% of the shares in the Company. As HWCL is the holding company of Hutchison Healthcare Holdings Limited, HWCL is a connected person of the Company, and the Disposal constitutes a connected transaction of the Company under Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules.
As one of the applicable percentage ratios (namely, the profits ratio) in respect of the Disposal exceeds 5% but all are less than 25%, the Disposal constitutes a discloseable transaction for the Company under Chapter 14 of the Listing Rules. As one or more of the applicable percentage ratios in respect of the Disposal exceed 0.1% but all (other than the profits ratio) are less than 5%, the Disposal is subject to the reporting and announcement requirements but is exempt from the circular and independent shareholders’ approval requirements under Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules.
E. | INFORMATION ON THE PARTIES, HOIHL AND HCPHL |
The Company is an innovative, commercial-stage, biopharmaceutical company. It is committed to the discovery and global development and commercialization of targeted therapies and immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases. It has approximately 5,000 personnel across all its companies, at the centre of which is a team of about 1,800 in oncology/immunology. Since inception, it has focused on bringing cancer drug candidates from in-house discovery to patients around the world, with its first three medicines marketed in China, the first of which is also marketed in the U.S..