Overseas Regulatory Announcement -
Disposal Transaction
HUTCHMED (China) Limited ("HUTCHMED") notes the below text,
which is from an announcement released to the Stock Exchange of
Hong Kong Limited on January 1, 2025 pursuant to Chapter 14 of the
Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of
Hong Kong Limited. As described in the HUTCHMED announcement
entitled "HUTCHMED Announces
US$608 million Divestment of Non-Core Joint Venture", the
text relates to the proposed disposal of a 45% equity interest in
Shanghai Hutchison Pharmaceuticals Limited.
About HUTCHMED
HUTCHMED (Nasdaq/AIM:HCM; HKEX:13) 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. 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 approved in the US, Europe and Japan. For
more information, please visit: www.hutch-med.com or follow us on
LinkedIn.
CONTACTS
Investor Enquiries
|
+852 2121 8200 /
ir@hutch-med.com
|
|
|
Media Enquiries
|
|
FTI Consulting -
|
+44 20 3727 1030 / HUTCHMED@fticonsulting.com
|
Ben Atwell / Alex
Shaw
|
+44 7771 913 902 (Mobile) /
+44 7779 545 055 (Mobile)
|
Brunswick - Zhou Yi
|
+852 9783 6894 (Mobile) /
HUTCHMED@brunswickgroup.com
|
|
|
Panmure Liberum
|
Nominated Advisor and Joint Broker
|
Atholl Tweedie / Freddy
Crossley / Rupert Dearden
|
+44 20 7886 2500
|
|
|
HSBC
|
Joint Broker
|
Simon Alexander / Alina
Vaskina / Arnav Kapoor
|
+44 20 7991 8888
|
|
|
Cavendish
|
Joint Broker
|
Geoff Nash / Nigel
Birks
|
+44 20 7220 0500
|
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and The
Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited take no responsibility for the
contents of this announcement, make no representation as to its
accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaim any liability
whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon
the whole or any part of the contents of this announcement.
HUTCHMED (China)
Limited
和黃醫藥(中國)有限公司
(Incorporated in the Cayman
Islands with limited liability)
(Stock Code: 13)
MAJOR TRANSACTION
IN RELATION TO
THE DISPOSAL OF 45% EQUITY INTEREST
IN
SHANGHAI HUTCHISON PHARMACEUTICALS
LIMITED
INTRODUCTION
On December 31, 2024, the Seller (a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company) entered into:
(i)
the GP Health SPA with GP Health Service Capital relating to the
disposal of the GP Health Sale Shares, representing 35% equity
interest in SHPL, for an aggregate purchase price of
RMB3,482,627,982 (approximately US$473 million); and
(ii)
the Shanghai Pharma SPA with Shanghai Pharma relating to the
disposal of the Shanghai Pharma Sale Shares, representing 10%
equity interest in SHPL, for an aggregate purchase price of
RMB995,036,566 (approximately US$135 million).
As of the date of the Agreements, SHPL, which
operates its own-brand prescription drug business, is held as to
50% by the Seller and 50% by Shanghai TCM, and is a
non-consolidated joint venture of the Company. Immediately upon the
completion of the Proposed Disposal, the Company will retain an
indirect 5% equity interest in SHPL.
REASONS FOR, AND
BENEFITS OF, THE PROPOSED 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 including the advancement of next-generation
antibody-targeted-therapy conjugate programs, the Proposed Disposal
will further optimize the Group's capital and debt structure
(including improving its cash balance and reducing its onshore
liability level) by monetizing the underlying value of the SHPL
joint venture, which operates its own-brand prescription drug
business, and allowing the Group to focus resources on its core
business areas.
Based on the above, the Directors consider that the
terms of the Agreements and the transactions contemplated
thereunder are fair and reasonable and in the interests of the
Company and the Shareholders as a whole.
IMPLICATIONS UNDER
THE LISTING RULES
As the highest applicable percentage ratio in respect
of the Proposed Disposal exceeds 25% but is less than 75%, the
Proposed Disposal constitutes a major transaction of the Company
and is subject to the reporting, announcement, circular and
shareholders' approval requirements under Chapter 14 of the Listing
Rules.
EGM AND
CIRCULAR
An EGM will be convened to consider and, if thought
fit, to approve the transactions contemplated under the Agreements,
including the Proposed Disposal. All Shareholders who have a
material interest (which is different from all other Shareholders)
in any of the transactions contemplated under the Agreements,
including the Proposed Disposal, and their associates (as defined
in the Listing Rules) will be required to abstain from voting on
the resolution to approve the transactions contemplated under the
Agreements, including the Proposed Disposal, at the EGM.
The Circular containing, among other things, (i)
further details on the terms of the Proposed Disposal; and (ii)
other information as required under the Listing Rules together with
a notice convening the EGM, will be dispatched to the Shareholders
in due course. As additional time is required to allow for GP
Health Service Capital to designate the GP Purchaser Fund and the
Designated Purchaser to purchase all or part of the GP Health Sale
Shares and for the share purchase agreements to be entered into on
or before January 17, 2025 (or such other date before Closing as
agreed by the Seller), or procure the GP Purchaser Funds to
purchase any remaining undesignated GP Health Sale Shares and enter
into share purchase agreements (as described in the section headed
"B. The GP Health SPA - Right to
Designate Purchaser for the GP Health Sale Shares" below),
the Circular is expected to be dispatched to the Shareholders on or
before January 28, 2025.
The Company will host a short update call on Tuesday,
January 7, 2025. Details will be available at www.hutch-med.com/event in due
course.
The Proposed
Disposal is subject to all of the conditions under the Agreements
being satisfied (or, if applicable, waived) and therefore may or
may not become unconditional. If any of the conditions under the
Agreements is not satisfied (or, if applicable, waived), the
Proposed Disposal will not proceed. Shareholders and potential
investors are reminded to exercise caution when dealing in the
shares and other securities of the Company.
|
A.
INTRODUCTION
On December 31, 2024, the Seller (a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company) entered into:
(i)
the GP Health SPA with GP Health Service Capital relating to the
disposal of the GP Health Sale Shares, representing 35% equity
interest in SHPL; and
(ii)
the Shanghai Pharma SPA with Shanghai Pharma relating to the
disposal of the Shanghai Pharma Sale Shares, representing 10%
equity interest in SHPL.
As of the date of the Agreements, SHPL, which
operates its own-brand prescription drug business, is held as to
50% by the Seller and 50% by Shanghai TCM, and is a
non-consolidated joint venture of the Company. Immediately upon the
completion of the Proposed Disposal, the Company will retain an
indirect 5% equity interest in SHPL.
B.
THE GP HEALTH SPA
The principal terms of the GP Health SPA are set out
below:
Date
December 31, 2024
Parties
(i)
the Seller (as seller); and
(ii)
GP Health Service Capital (as purchaser).
To the best of the Directors' knowledge, information
and belief having made all reasonable enquiries, GP Health Service
Capital and its ultimate beneficial owners are third parties
independent of the Company and its connected persons.
Subject
Matter
The Seller agreed to sell, and GP Health Service
Capital agreed to purchase, the GP Health Sale Shares, representing
35% equity interest in SHPL.
Right to Designate
Purchaser for the GP Health Sale Shares
On or before January 17, 2025 (or such other date
before Closing as agreed by the Seller), subject to the prior
written consent by the Seller, GP Health Service Capital has the
right to designate (i) a fund established by GP Health Service
Capital as manager and one of the general partners (the
"GP Purchaser Fund"), and
(ii) another designated party (the "Designated Purchaser") to purchase all
or part of the GP Health Sale Shares.
Upon designation by GP Health Service Capital, the
Designated Purchaser will purchase no more than 10% equity interest
in SHPL from the GP Health Sale Shares and the remaining GP Health
Sale Shares will be purchased by the GP Purchaser Fund, subject to
the following conditions:
(i)
each of the GP Purchaser Fund, the Designated Purchaser and their
respective ultimate beneficial owners are third parties independent
of the Company and its connected persons;
(ii)
on or before January 17, 2025 (or such other date before Closing as
agreed by the Seller), the Seller and GP Health Service Capital
will enter into a share purchase agreement on substantially the
same terms as the GP Health SPA (save for the right to designate
other purchasers) with each of the GP Purchaser Fund and the
Designated Purchaser, and each of the GP Purchaser Fund and the
Designated Purchaser will assume the respective rights and
obligations of GP Health Service Capital under the GP Health SPA
corresponding to the proportionate equity interest in SHPL they
will purchase; and
(iii) the
GP Health SPA will be amended in accordance with such
designation.
If GP Health Service Capital does not designate and
enter into the share purchase agreements referred to above in
respect of all of the GP Health Sale Shares on or before January
17, 2025 (or such other date before Closing as agreed by the
Seller), GP Health Service Capital will procure the GP Purchaser
Fund and/or one or more new funds established by GP Health Service
Capital as manager and one of the general partners (together with
the GP Purchaser Fund, the "GP
Purchaser Funds") to purchase the remaining undesignated GP
Health Sale Shares, subject to all of the conditions referred to
above.
Further announcement(s) containing details of the GP
Purchaser Funds and the Designated Purchaser will be made by the
Company as and when the GP Purchaser Funds and the Designated
Purchaser have been designated by GP Health Service Capital and
share purchase agreements are entered into with the GP Purchaser
Funds and the Designated Purchaser.
Consideration
The aggregate purchase price for the GP Health Sale
Shares is RMB3,482,627,982 (approximately US$473 million). The
aggregate purchase price (after deducting withholding tax) is
payable in cash by GP Health Service Capital to an escrow account
jointly managed by the Seller and GP Health Service Capital on the
date of Closing. Upon the obtaining of all necessary approvals from
relevant government authorities after the date of Closing, the
aggregate purchase price (after deducting withholding tax) paid by
GP Health Service Capital will be released for remittance to an
offshore bank account designated by the Seller.
The purchase price was determined after arm's length
negotiations between the parties with reference to SHPL's
consolidated net profit for the year ended December 31, 2023
attributable to the GP Health Sale Shares.
Profit
Compensation
(i)
Interim Profit Compensation
In the event that the actual net profit of SHPL for
any year during the Profit Guarantee Period of the years ending
December 31, 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027 (the "Actual Net Profit") is lower than the
guaranteed net profit for the year of RMB663.0 million, RMB696.5
million, RMB731.0 million and RMB767.5 million respectively (the
"Guaranteed Net Profit"),
within 30 Business Days from the date when the annual audit report
of SHPL for the respective year is issued, the Seller is required
to provide interim profit compensation to GP Health Service Capital
(the "Interim Profit
Compensation") in cash, in the amount calculated as
follows:
A x (B - C)
in which "A" refers to the equity interest purchased
by GP Health Service Capital pursuant to the GP Health SPA, "B"
refers to the Guaranteed Net Profit for the year, and "C" refers to
the Actual Net Profit for the year.
(ii)
Cumulative Profit Compensation
In the event that the actual cumulative net profit of
SHPL for the Profit Guarantee Period (the "Actual Cumulative Net Profit") is lower
than the guaranteed cumulative net profit of RMB2,858 million (the
"Guaranteed Cumulative Net
Profit"), within 30 Business Days from the date when the
annual audit report for the year ending December 31, 2027 of SHPL
is issued, the Seller is required to provide cumulative profit
compensation to GP Health Service Capital (the "Cumulative Profit Compensation"), which
may be settled in cash or in the form of equity interests in
SHPL.
If the Seller settles the Cumulative Profit
Compensation in cash, the amount will be calculated as follows:
A x (B / C -1) - D
in which "A" refers to the aggregate purchase price
paid by GP Health Service Capital (i.e. RMB3,482,627,982), "B"
refers to the Guaranteed Cumulative Net Profit, "C" refers to the
Actual Cumulative Net Profit and "D" refers to any Interim Profit
Compensation already paid.
The Seller and GP Health Service Capital will further
agree in writing in respect of any settlement of Cumulative Profit
Compensation in the form of the transfer of equity interests in
SHPL (or any other forms).
If the Seller and GP Health Service Capital agree on
the settlement of the compensation amount in the form of the
transfer of equity interests in SHPL, the equity interest
percentage to be transferred by the Seller to GP Health Service
Capital will be calculated as follows:
A x (B / C -1) x (1 - D / E)
in which "A" refers to the equity interest purchased
by GP Health Service Capital pursuant to the GP Health SPA, "B"
refers to the Guaranteed Cumulative Net Profit, "C" refers to the
Actual Cumulative Net Profit, "D" refers to any Interim Profit
Compensation already paid and any Cumulative Profit Compensation
already settled in cash, and "E" refers to the amount of Cumulative
Profit Compensation to be settled in cash before deduction of any
Interim Profit Compensation already paid.
The Seller shall provide the Interim Profit
Compensation and/or the Cumulative Profit Compensation to GP Health
Service Capital within 30 Business Days from the determination of
the Interim Profit Compensation and/or the Cumulative Profit
Compensation, except that if internal procedures including
obtaining necessary shareholders' approval are required then the
time required for such procedures will not count towards the 30
Business Days, but in any event the compensation shall be paid no
later than 45 Business Days from the determination of the Interim
Profit Compensation and/or the Cumulative Profit Compensation or
such date as mutually agreed by the parties.
Any Interim Profit Compensation and/or Cumulative
Profit Compensation payable by the Seller during the Profit
Guarantee Period will first be offset against the Seller's portion
of the undistributed profit or loss of SHPL prior to Closing.
Please refer to "- Pre-Closing
Profit or Loss Allocation" below for further details.
The aggregate cash-equivalent amount of the Interim
Profit Compensation and the Cumulative Profit Compensation will not
exceed RMB696 million.
Operation and
Management of SHPL during the Transition Period
The parties have agreed that during the Transition
Period, the Seller has the right to recommend the general manager
of SHPL (who is the core management personnel responsible for all
production operation and management activities of SHPL) for
nomination by Shanghai Pharma and appointment by the board of
directors of SHPL. In addition, the board of directors of SHPL has
approved the financial budget for the year ending December 31, 2025
and the principles of the financial budget for the years ending
December 31, 2026 and 2027, including the targets for net profit of
SHPL which are no less than the Guaranteed Net Profit.
Distribution of
Retained Earnings of SHPL
On the date of Closing, the shareholders of SHPL will
approve the distribution of retained earnings as of October 31,
2024 of SHPL in the following manner:
(i)
on the date of Closing, retained earnings in the amount of RMB414
million will be declared and become the entitlement of the existing
shareholders of SHPL, being the Seller and Shanghai TCM, in
proportion to their respective shareholding percentage in SHPL
before Closing (the "Attributed
Retained Earnings"); and
(ii)
on the date of Closing, the remaining undistributed retained
earnings in the amount of RMB423 million will be declared and
become the entitlement of the then shareholders of SHPL immediately
after Closing in proportion to their respective shareholding
percentage in SHPL, and will be distributed to the then
shareholders of SHPL no later than September 30, 2025.
Pre-Closing Profit
or Loss Allocation
On the date of Closing, the shareholders of SHPL will
approve the allocation of profits or losses prior to Closing in the
following manner:
(i)
the profits or losses generated by SHPL during the period between
November 1, 2024 and the earlier of (a) the date of Closing and (b)
March 31, 2025 will be declared and become the entitlement of the
existing shareholders of SHPL, being the Seller and Shanghai TCM,
in proportion to their respective shareholding percentage in SHPL
before Closing; and
(ii)
the profits or losses generated by SHPL during the period between
April 1, 2025 and the date of Closing (if any) will be declared and
become the entitlement of the then shareholders of SHPL immediately
after Closing in proportion to their respective shareholding
percentage in SHPL
(collectively, the "Attributed Profit or Loss").
Adjustable Retained
Dividends
RMB315 million of the Seller's portion of the
Attributed Retained Earnings and the Attributed Profit or Loss will
be retained by SHPL as adjustable retained dividends (the
"Seller's Adjustable
Retained Dividends"). If
the Seller is required provide any Interim Profit Compensation or
Cumulative Profit Compensation during the Profit Guarantee Period,
the amount equivalent to the Interim Profit Compensation or
Cumulative Profit Compensation payable will be deducted from the
Seller's Adjustable Retained Dividends and be distributed to GP
Health Service Capital instead.
After the Profit Guarantee Period and the due
settlement of any Interim Profit Compensation or Cumulative Profit
Compensation by the Seller, the Seller's Adjustable Retained
Dividends (subject to any adjustment referred to above) will be
distributed to the Seller by no later than December 31, 2028.
Board Composition of
SHPL
The board of directors of SHPL consists of seven
directors, of which Shanghai Pharma has the right to nominate four
directors, GP Health Service Capital has the right to nominate two
directors and the Seller has the right to nominate one
director.
Conditions
(i)
Conditions to obligations of both the Seller and GP Health Service
Capital
The obligations of both the Seller and GP Health
Service Capital under the GP Health SPA are conditional upon (i)
the simultaneous Closing of the Shanghai Pharma SPA, and (ii) the
Company having obtained all necessary internal approvals and
shareholders' approval with respect to the GP Health SPA.
(ii)
Conditions to the Seller's obligation to sell
The Seller's obligation to sell under the GP Health
SPA is also conditional on the satisfaction or waiver (as
applicable) of certain conditions, including (i) the obtaining of
the necessary government approvals (including, if applicable,
antitrust approvals) and the completion of the necessary
governmental registration by GP Health Service Capital (including
the necessary governmental registration to be completed by the GP
Purchaser Fund and the Designated Purchaser), (ii) GP Health
Service Capital having obtained all necessary internal approvals,
(iii) the agreement among the then shareholders of SHPL immediately
after Closing on arrangements concerning SHPL such as corporate
governance, business development and shareholders' rights during
the Transition Period, (iv) the agreement among the then
shareholders of SHPL immediately after Closing on the distribution
of retained earnings as of October 31, 2024 of SHPL and the
allocation of profits or losses generated by SHPL prior to Closing,
and (v) GP Health Service Capital having demonstrated it has
sufficient funds to settle the purchase price and complete the
transaction.
(iii)
Conditions to GP Health Service Capital's obligation to
purchase
GP Health Service Capital's obligation to purchase
under the GP Health SPA is also conditional on the satisfaction or
waiver (as applicable) of certain conditions, including (i) the
Seller having obtained all necessary internal approvals, (ii) the
agreement among the then shareholders of SHPL immediately after
Closing on arrangements concerning SHPL such as corporate
governance, business development and shareholders' rights during
the Transition Period, (iii) the agreement among the then
shareholders of SHPL immediately after Closing on the distribution
of retained earnings as of October 31, 2024 of SHPL and the
allocation of profits or losses generated by SHPL prior to Closing,
and (iv) there being no occurrence of events that could have any
material adverse impact on SHPL and its development prospects.
Closing
Within two Business Days after the satisfaction or
waiver (as applicable) of the conditions (other than conditions
which can only be satisfied at Closing by nature), GP Health
Service Capital will initiate, and complete on a best effort basis,
the declaration of withholding taxes to the relevant tax
authorities.
Closing will take place (i) on the third Business Day
after the issuance of certificate for withholding taxes by the
relevant tax authorities; or (ii) such other date as may be agreed
by the parties to the GP Health SPA.
Termination
Both parties have the right to terminate the GP
Health SPA if any of the conditions are not satisfied or waived (as
applicable) by the Longstop Date, provided that the failure to
satisfy such condition is not caused or resulted from the failure
of such party to perform any obligation under the GP Health SPA or
within the control of such party.
The Seller is entitled to unilaterally terminate the
GP Health SPA prior to Closing by written notice to GP Health
Service Capital in the event that GP Health Service Capital fails
to pay the purchase price for the GP Health Sale Shares or settle
the payment of withholding taxes in accordance with the GP Health
SPA and fails to remedy such failure. Either party is entitled to
unilaterally terminate the GP Health SPA if the other party
materially breaches its warranty or other covenants or obligations
under the GP Health SPA and fails to remedy such breach.
C.
THE SHANGHAI PHARMA SPA
The principal terms of the Shanghai Pharma SPA are
set out below:
Date
December 31, 2024
Parties
(i)
the Seller (as seller); and
(ii)
Shanghai Pharma (as purchaser).
To the best of the Directors' knowledge, information
and belief having made all reasonable enquiries, Shanghai Pharma
and its ultimate beneficial owners are third parties independent of
the Company and its connected persons.
Subject
Matter
The Seller agreed to sell, and Shanghai Pharma agreed
to purchase, the Shanghai Pharma Sale Shares, representing 10%
equity interest in SHPL.
Consideration
The aggregate purchase price for the Shanghai Pharma
Sale Shares is RMB995,036,566 (approximately US$135 million). The
aggregate purchase price (after deducting withholding tax) is
payable in cash by Shanghai Pharma to an escrow account jointly
managed by the Seller and Shanghai Pharma on the date of Closing.
Upon the obtaining of all necessary approvals from relevant
government authorities after the date of Closing, the aggregate
purchase price (after deducting withholding tax) paid by Shanghai
Pharma will be released for remittance to an offshore bank account
designated by the Seller.
The purchase price was determined after arm's length
negotiations between the parties with reference to SHPL's
consolidated net profit for the year ended December 31, 2023
attributable to the Shanghai Pharma Sale Shares.
Operation and
Management of SHPL during the Transition Period
The Seller and Shanghai Pharma agreed on the same
arrangements concerning the operation and management of SHPL during
the Transition Period under the GP Health SPA. Please refer to the
section headed "B. The GP Health
SPA - Operation and Management of SHPL during the Transition
Period" above for details.
Distribution of
Retained Earnings of SHPL
The Seller and Shanghai Pharma agreed on the same
arrangements concerning the distribution of retained earnings as of
October 31, 2024 of SHPL under the GP Health SPA. Please refer to
the section headed "B. The GP
Health SPA - Distribution of Retained Earnings of SHPL"
above for details.
Pre-Closing Profit
or Loss Allocation
The Seller and Shanghai Pharma agreed on the same
arrangements concerning the allocation of profits or losses
generated by SHPL prior to Closing under the GP Health SPA. Please
refer to the section headed "B.
The GP Health SPA - Pre-Closing Profit or Loss Allocation"
above for details.
Board Composition of
SHPL
The board of directors of SHPL consists of seven
directors, of which Shanghai Pharma has the right to nominate four
directors, GP Health Service Capital has the right to nominate two
directors and the Seller has the right to nominate one
director.
Conditions
(i)
Conditions to obligations of both the Seller and Shanghai
Pharma
The obligations of both the Seller and Shanghai
Pharma under the Shanghai Pharma SPA are conditional upon (i) the
simultaneous Closing of the GP Health SPA, (ii) the Company having
obtained all necessary internal approvals and shareholders'
approval with respect to the Shanghai Pharma SPA, and (iii) the
obtaining of the necessary government approvals (including
antitrust approvals) and the completion of the necessary
governmental registration by Shanghai Pharma.
(ii)
Conditions to the Seller's obligation to sell
The Seller's obligation to sell under the Shanghai
Pharma SPA is also conditional on the satisfaction or waiver (as
applicable) of certain conditions, including (i) Shanghai Pharma
having obtained all necessary internal approvals, (ii) the parties'
agreement on arrangements concerning SHPL such as corporate
governance, business development and shareholders' rights during
the Transition Period, (iii) the parties' agreement on the
distribution of retained earnings as of October 31, 2024 of SHPL
and the allocation of profits or losses generated by SHPL prior to
Closing, and (iv) affiliates of Shanghai Pharma having irrevocably
agreed to waive their right of first refusal to purchase 35% equity
interest in SHPL.
(iii)
Conditions to Shanghai Pharma's obligation to purchase
Shanghai Pharma's obligation to purchase under the
Shanghai Pharma SPA is also conditional on the satisfaction or
waiver (as applicable) of certain conditions, including (i) the
Seller having obtained all necessary internal approvals, and (ii)
there being no occurrence of events that could have any material
adverse impact on SHPL and its development prospects.
Closing
Within two Business Days after the satisfaction or
waiver (as applicable) of the conditions (other than conditions
which can only be satisfied at Closing by nature), Shanghai Pharma
will initiate, and complete on a best effort basis, the declaration
of withholding taxes to the relevant tax authorities, provided that
the Seller has provided all required information of the Seller to
Shanghai Pharma.
Closing will take place (i) on the third Business Day
after the issuance of certificate for withholding taxes by the
relevant tax authorities; or (ii) such other date as may be agreed
by the parties to the Shanghai Pharma SPA.
Termination
Both parties have the right to terminate the Shanghai
Pharma SPA if any of the conditions are not satisfied or waived (as
applicable) by the Longstop Date, provided that the failure to
satisfy such condition is not caused or resulted from the failure
of such party to perform any obligation under the Shanghai Pharma
SPA in time or within the control of such party.
The Seller is entitled to unilaterally terminate the
Shanghai Pharma SPA prior to Closing by written notice to Shanghai
Pharma in the event that Shanghai Pharma fails to pay the purchase
price for the Shanghai Pharma Sale Shares or settle the payment of
withholding taxes in accordance with the Shanghai Pharma SPA and
fails to remedy such failure. Either party is entitled to
unilaterally terminate the Shanghai Pharma SPA if the other party
materially breaches its warranty or other covenants or obligations
under the Shanghai Pharma SPA and fails to remedy such breach.
D.
REASONS FOR, AND BENEFITS OF, THE PROPOSED 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 including the advancement of next-generation
antibody-targeted-therapy conjugate programs, the Proposed Disposal
will further optimize the Group's capital and debt structure
(including improving its cash balance and reducing its onshore
liability level) by monetizing the underlying value of the SHPL
joint venture, which operates its own-brand prescription drug
business, and allowing the Group to focus resources on its core
business areas.
Based on the above, the Directors consider that the
terms of the Agreements and the transactions contemplated
thereunder 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$477 million before taxation based on the
difference between the aggregate purchase price for the Sale Shares
(taking into account the Company's current estimate of the Interim
Profit Compensation and Cumulative Profit Compensation as described
in the section headed "B. The GP
Health SPA - Profit Compensation" above) and the carrying
value of the Sale Shares representing the Seller's investment in
SHPL. The actual gain to be recorded by the Company is subject to
review and audit, and therefore may vary from the amount mentioned
above.
The Company intends to use the proceeds from the
Proposed Disposal to further develop its internal pipeline and
drive its core business strategy forward. This pipeline and
strategy include its next-generation antibody drug conjugate
("ADC") platform, which
builds on the Company's extensive knowledge from pursuing
oncological pathways and proven expertise in small molecule
targeted therapeutics. By combining antibodies with targeted
therapeutics instead of cytotoxins, these antibody-targeted therapy
conjugates ("ATTCs") offer
dual mechanisms for addressing a target. Pre-clinical research has
shown robust anti-tumor activity with durable response following a
single administration, and stronger anti-tumor activity compared to
administration with the individual antibody and targeted therapy
components, improving tolerability associated with targeted
therapy. The Company plans to move the first of these ATTCs into
clinical trials in the second half of 2025.
E.
IMPLICATIONS UNDER THE LISTING RULES
As the highest applicable percentage ratio in respect
of the Proposed Disposal exceeds 25% but is less than 75%, the
Proposed Disposal constitutes a major transaction of the Company
and is subject to the reporting, announcement, circular and
shareholders' approval requirements under Chapter 14 of the Listing
Rules.
F.
INFORMATION ON THE PARTIES AND SHPL
(1)
The Company
The Company is an innovative, commercial-stage,
biopharmaceutical company. Іt is committed to the discovery, global
development and commercialization of targeted therapies and
immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and immunological
diseases. Since inception, it has focused on bringing 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 approved in the US, Europe and Japan.
(2)
GP Health Service Capital
GP Health Service Capital is a company incorporated
under the laws of the PRC with limited liability. Its largest
shareholder is GP Capital. It is a professional fund management
company committed to industrial investment, mergers and
acquisitions and integrations in the medical and health field.
(3)
Shanghai Pharma
Shanghai TCM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shanghai
Pharma.
Shanghai Pharma is a national integrated
pharmaceutical company in the PRC that has leading positions in
both pharmaceutical production and distribution markets. Shanghai
Pharma's business mainly covers two segments, namely,
pharmaceutical industry and pharmaceutical business. The A shares
and H shares of Shanghai Pharma are listed on the Shanghai Stock
Exchange (stock code: 601607) and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
(stock code: 02607), respectively.
(4)
SHPL
SHPL is a company incorporated under the laws of the
PRC with limited liability and is principally engaged in
manufacturing, selling and distribution of prescription drug
products. As of the date of the Agreements, SHPL is held as to 50%
by the Seller and 50% by Shanghai TCM, and is a non-consolidated
joint venture of the Company. Immediately upon the completion of
the Proposed Disposal, the Company will retain an indirect 5%
equity interest in SHPL (without taking into account any transfer
of equity interest in SHPL for the settlement of any Cumulative
Profit Compensation in the form of equity interest in SHPL, if so
agreed between the Seller and GP Health Service Capital).
Based on the audited consolidated financial
statements of SHPL prepared in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards, the audited net profits before and
after taxation of SHPL for the two years ended December 31, 2022
and 2023 are:
|
For the year ended December 31,
|
|
2022
|
2023
|
|
(in US$'000)
|
Net profit before taxation
|
116,421
|
112,485
|
Net profit after taxation
|
99,683
|
95,463
|
The unaudited consolidated net asset value of SHPL as
at June 30, 2024 was approximately US$156.4 million.
G.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE
BOARD
Having taken into account the reasons for, and
benefits of, the Proposed Disposal as set out above, the Directors
have unanimously approved, among other things, the Proposed
Disposal and recommend the Shareholders to vote in favour of the
resolution to be proposed at the EGM to approve the transactions
contemplated by the Agreements, including the Proposed
Disposal.
H.
EGM AND CIRCULAR
An EGM will be convened to consider and, if thought
fit, to approve the transactions contemplated under the Agreements,
including the Proposed Disposal. All Shareholders who have a
material interest (which is different from all other Shareholders)
in any of the transactions contemplated under the Agreements,
including the Proposed Disposal, and their associates (as defined
in the Listing Rules) will be required to abstain from voting on
the resolution to approve the transactions contemplated under the
Agreements, including the Proposed Disposal, at the EGM.
The Circular containing, among other things, (i)
further details on the terms of the Proposed Disposal; and (ii)
other information as required under the Listing Rules together with
a notice convening the EGM, will be dispatched to the Shareholders
in due course. As additional time is required to allow for GP
Health Service Capital to designate the GP Purchaser Fund and the
Designated Purchaser to purchase all or part of the GP Health Sale
Shares and for the share purchase agreements to be entered into on
or before January 17, 2025 (or such other date before Closing as
agreed by the Seller), or procure the GP Purchaser Funds to
purchase any remaining undesignated GP Health Sale Shares and enter
into share purchase agreements (as described in the section headed
"B. The GP Health SPA - Right to
Designate Purchaser for the GP Health Sale Shares" above),
the Circular is expected to be dispatched to the Shareholders on or
before January 28, 2025.
The Proposed
Disposal is subject to all of the conditions under the Agreements
being satisfied (or, if applicable, waived) and therefore may or
may not become unconditional. If any of the conditions under the
Agreements is not satisfied (or, if applicable, waived), the
Proposed Disposal will not proceed. Shareholders and potential
investors are reminded to exercise caution when dealing in the
shares and other securities of the Company.
I.
DEFINITIONS
In this announcement, unless the context otherwise
requires, the following expressions have the following
meanings:
"Agreements"
|
the GP Health SPA and the Shanghai Pharma SPA
|
|
|
"Business
Day"
|
a day (other than a Saturday, Sunday or public
holiday) on which banks in the PRC are generally open for
business
|
|
|
"Circular"
|
the circular to be dispatched by the Company to the
Shareholders in connection with the EGM
|
|
|
"Closing"
|
closing of the Proposed Disposal in accordance with
the terms of the Agreements
|
|
|
"Company"
|
HUTCHMED (China) Limited, a company incorporated in
the Cayman Islands with limited liability, the shares of which are
listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (stock
code: 13), the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (stock code:
HCM) and in the form of American depositary shares on the NASDAQ
Global Select Market (ticker symbol: HCM)
|
|
|
"Directors"
|
the directors of the Company
|
|
|
"EGM"
|
the extraordinary general meeting of the Company to
be convened for the Shareholders to consider and, if thought fit,
approve the transactions contemplated by the Agreements, including
the Proposed Disposal and, if applicable, share purchase agreements
with the GP Purchaser Funds and the Designated Purchaser
|
|
|
"GP Health Service
Capital"
|
GP Health Service Capital Co., Ltd. (上海金浦健服股權投資管理有限公司), a company incorporated in the PRC
with limited liability
|
|
|
"GP Health Sale
Shares"
|
shares representing 35% equity interest in SHPL
|
|
|
"GP Health
SPA"
|
the share purchase agreement dated December 31, 2024
entered into between the Seller and GP Health Service Capital in
relation to the disposal of the GP Health Sale Shares
|
|
|
"Group"
|
the Company and its subsidiaries
|
|
|
"HK$"
|
Hong Kong dollar, the lawful currency of Hong
Kong
|
|
|
"Hong
Kong"
|
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the
People's Republic of China
|
|
|
"Hong Kong Stock
Exchange"
|
The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited
|
|
|
"Listing
Rules"
|
the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the
Hong Kong Stock Exchange (as amended and supplemented from time to
time)
|
|
|
"Longstop
Date"
|
the date which is four months from the date of the
Agreements (i.e. April 30, 2025) or, if extended in accordance with
the Agreements, six months from the date of the Agreements (i.e.
June 30, 2025) (or as mutually agreed in writing between the
parties to the respective Agreement)
|
|
|
"PRC"
|
the People's Republic of China, but for the purposes
of this announcement only, except where the context requires,
references to PRC or China exclude Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan
|
|
|
"Profit Guarantee
Period"
|
the years ending December 31, 2024, 2025, 2026 and
2027
|
|
|
"Proposed
Disposal"
|
the proposed disposal of the GP Health Sale Shares
pursuant to the GP Health SPA and the proposed disposal of the
Shanghai Pharma Sale Shares pursuant to the Shanghai Pharma SPA
|
|
|
"RMB"
|
Renminbi, the lawful currency of the PRC
|
|
|
"Sale
Shares"
|
collectively, the GP Health Sale Shares and the
Shanghai Pharma Sale Shares, representing 45% equity interest in
SHPL in aggregate
|
|
|
"Seller"
|
Shanghai HUTCHMED Investment (HK) Limited, a company
incorporated in Hong Kong with limited liability and a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company
|
|
|
"Shanghai
Pharma"
|
Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co., Ltd.*
(上海醫藥集團股份有限公司), a joint stock company
incorporated in the PRC with limited liability listed on the
Shanghai Stock Exchange (stock code: 601607) and on the Main Board
of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (stock code: 02607)
|
|
|
"Shanghai Pharma
Sale Shares"
|
shares representing 10% equity interest in SHPL
|
|
|
"Shanghai Pharma
SPA"
|
the share purchase agreement dated December 31, 2024
entered into between the Seller and Shanghai Pharma in relation to
the disposal of the Shanghai Pharma Sale Shares
|
|
|
"Shanghai
TCM"
|
Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd.*
(上海市藥材有限公司), a company established in the
PRC with limited liability and a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Shanghai Pharma
|
|
|
"Shareholder(s)"
|
the holders of the shares of the Company
|
|
|
"SHPL"
|
Shanghai Hutchison Pharmaceuticals Limited, a company
incorporated in the PRC with limited liability
|
|
|
"Transition
Period"
|
three years from the date of Closing or until June
30, 2028, whichever is later
|
|
|
"US$"
|
US dollars, the lawful currency of the United States
of America
|
|
|
"%"
|
per cent.
|
|
|
* For identification
purposes only
For the purpose of
this announcement, the conversion of amounts in Renminbi into US
dollars has been made at the rate of US$1 to RMB7.36.
The amounts in US dollars so converted are
stated for reference only and the statement of those amounts should
not be construed as a representation that amounts in Renminbi have
been, or could be, converted into US dollars at this or any other
rate.
About
HUTCHMED
HUTCHMED (Nasdaq/AIM:HCM; HKEX:13) 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. Since inception it has focused on bringing
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 approved in the US, Europe and Japan. For more
information, please visit: www.hutch-med.com or follow us on
LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement
contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe
harbor" provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect HUTCHMED's
current expectations regarding future events, including, without limitation, statements
concerning: HUTCHMED's future plans and prospects, its expectations
as to the anticipated amount of proceeds, the intended use of
proceeds, the anticipated closing date of the proposed
transactions, and the therapeutic potential and clinical
development of its R&D programs as well as the safety,
efficacy, tolerability, scalability or combinability of all
candidates under such programs. Forward-looking statements involve
risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include,
among other things, assumptions regarding the amount and timely
receipt of the considerations, satisfaction of the conditions
precedent to the consummation of the proposed transactions
(including the ability of the parties to secure regulatory
approvals on the terms expected, at all or in a timely manner), the
ability of the parties to complete the proposed transaction, the
continued sufficiency of preclinical and clinical data to support
development and approval of the R&D programs in China, in the
United States and in other jurisdictions, their potential to gain
clinical trial approvals from regulatory authorities,
the safety profile of the
R&D programs, HUTCHMED ability to
fund, implement and complete its further clinical
development and commercialization plans for the R&D programs,
the timing of these events; actions of regulatory agencies, which
may affect the initiation, timing and progress of clinical
trials or the regulatory pathway
for the ATTC programs; and HUTCHMED's
ability to successfully develop and commercialize the R&D
programs. In addition, when or if used herein, the words and
phrases "aims," "anticipates," "believes," "continue," "estimates,"
"expects," "intends," "may," "on track," "predicts," "plans,"
"potential," "promising," "should," "to be," "will," and similar
expressions and their variants, as they relate to the Company may
identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance.
Although HUTCHMED believes the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements are reasonable, HUTCHMED can give no
assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers
are cautioned that actual results, levels of activity, safety,
performance or events and circumstances could differ materially
from those expressed or implied HUTCHMED's forward-looking
statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which
include, without limitation, assumptions regarding the safety,
efficacy, supply, continued regulatory approval of these
therapeutics, and in some cases connected to the risks of the use
of other drug products as combination therapeutics. Forward-looking
statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future
performance. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on
management's assumptions and estimates as of such date. For further
discussion of these and other risks, see HUTCHMED's filings with
the US Securities and Exchange Commission, The Stock Exchange of
Hong Kong Limited and on AIM. HUTCHMED undertakes no obligation to
update or revise the information contained in this announcement,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
circumstances or otherwise.
Inside
Information
This announcement
contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of
Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (as it forms part of retained EU law as
defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018).
By Order of the Board
Edith Shih
Non-executive Director and Company
Secretary
Hong Kong, January 1, 2025
As at the date of this announcement, the Directors of
the Company are:
Chairman and
Non-executive Director:
Dr Dan ELDAR
Executive
Directors:
Dr Weiguo SU
(Chief Executive
Officer and
Chief Scientific Officer)
Mr CHENG Chig Fung, Johnny
(Chief Financial
Officer)
|
Non-executive
Directors:
Ms Edith SHIH
Ms Ling YANG
Independent
Non-executive Directors:
Mr Paul Rutherford CARTER
(Senior Independent
Director)
Dr Renu BHATIA
Dr Chaohong HU
Mr Graeme Allan JACK
Professor MOK Shu Kam, Tony
|