28.10.2010

Ares Life Sciences receives exclusivity from Wendel to acquire its 45.87% stake in Stallergenes

Ares Life Sciences, an investment firm established by the Bertarelli family to invest in the healthcare industry, announces that it has submitted today a firm and irrevocable offer to acquire all of Wendel’s equity interest in Stallergenes. The parties have entered into an exclusivity period to finalize the transaction.

The transaction price would be €59.00 per share. Upon closing of the transaction, Ares Life Sciences would hold 45.87% of the share capital and voting rights of Stallergenes. Stallergenes is one of Europe’s leading biopharmaceutical companies and a specialist in allergy immunotherapies. The shares of Stallergenes are listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris.

The completion of the transaction is subject to customary works council consultation. No antitrust filing is required.

Following the closing of this transaction, Ares Life Sciences, in compliance with existing regulation, will file a mandatory takeover offer for all remaining outstanding shares of Stallergenes at a price of €59.00 per share in cash.

Jacques Theurillat, CEO of Ares Life Sciences commented: “Stallergenes has an excellent track record in serving patients with serious allergies and in developing the market for immunotherapy. The company also has exciting ambitions to penetrate new markets as well as launch a new generation of products. At Ares Life Sciences, with our team of seasoned healthcare executives, we seek to invest in market and technology leaders like Stallergenes, with the objective of assisting them achieve their full growth and R&D potential. Our pharmaceutical industry experience and financial resources will be at the disposal of Stallergenes' outstanding management team to assist them in achieving their global expansion and growth targets.”

Further information:

About Ares Life Sciences:
Ares Life Sciences is a healthcare-focused investment firm, whose financial backer is the Bertarelli family. Its strategy is to focus on key life sciences sectors, mainly: pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, medical diagnostics, and medical technology. Ares Life Sciences has a long-term view on investments and a core element of its investment strategy is to make available to its portfolio companies the collective experience and network of its team. Ares Life Sciences’ portfolio currently includes investments in Euromedic, Esaote, Santhera and Broncus Technologies.

About Wendel
Wendel is one of Europe's leading listed investment firms. The Group invests in France and abroad, in companies that are leaders in their industry: Bureau Veritas, Legrand, Saint-Gobain, Materis, Deutsch, Stallergenes, Oranje-Nassau and Stahl. Wendel plays an active role as an industry shareholder. It implements long-term development strategies, which involve boosting growth and profitability of companies so as to enhance their leading market positions. Wendel's consolidated 2009 sales totalled €4.9 billion. Wendel is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris. Standard & Poor’s rating: Long term BB-, stable outlook – Short term B since July 19, 2010. About Stallergenes

Stallergenes is a European biopharmaceutical laboratory specialising in treatments by immunotherapy for the prevention and treatment of allergy-related respiratory conditions, such as rhino conjunctivitis, rhinitis and allergic asthma. A pioneer and a leader in immunotherapy treatments by sublingual administration, Stallergenes dedicated more than 20% (gross) of its sales in 2009 to its Research and Development activities, which are primarily directed at developing a new therapeutic range enabling the provision of immunotherapy treatments by sublingual tablets. Stallergenes achieved 2009 sales of €193 million, with over 500,000 patients treated with Stallergenes products.

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