Bristol Myers Squibb Co SC TO-C, filed Dec 26, 2023
Bristol Myers Squibb Co (BMY)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE TO
TENDER OFFER STATEMENT UNDER SECTION 14(d)(1) OR 13(e)(1)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
RAYZEBIO, INC.
(Name of Subject Company (Issuer))
RUDOLPH MERGER SUB INC.
(Offeror)
A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of
BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY
(Offeror)
(Name of Filing Persons (identifying status as offeror, issuer or other person))
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
75525N107
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
Sandra Leung, Esq.
Executive Vice President & General Counsel
Casarine Chong, Esq.
Senior Vice President & Associate General Counsel
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Route 206 & Province Line Road
Princeton, NJ 08543
(609) 252-4621
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications on Behalf of Filing Persons)
Copies to:
Catherine J. Dargan, Esq.
Michael J. Riella, Esq.
Kerry S. Burke, Esq.
Kyle Rabe, Esq.
Covington & Burling LLP
One CityCenter
850 Tenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001-4956
+1 (202) 662-6000
| ☒ | Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of a tender offer. |
Check the appropriate boxes below to designate any transactions to which the statement relates:
| ☒ | Third-party offer subject to Rule 14d-1. |
| ☐ | Issuer tender offer subject to Rule 13e-4. |
| ☐ | Going-private transaction subject to Rule 13e-3. |
| ☐ | Amendment to Schedule 13D under Rule 13d-2. |
Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results of the tender offer: ☐
If applicable, check the appropriate box(es) below to designate the appropriate rule provision(s) relied upon:
| ☐ | Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer) |
| ☐ | Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third Party Tender Offer) |
This filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of a planned tender offer by Rudolph Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb Company, a Delaware corporation (“Bristol Myers Squibb”), formed by Bristol Myers Squibb promptly after the execution of the Merger Agreement (as defined below) (“Merger Sub”), for all of the outstanding common stock of RayzeBio, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“RayzeBio”). The tender offer will be commenced pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 25, 2023, by and among Bristol Myers Squibb, RayzeBio and, by way of a joinder dated December 26, 2023, Merger Sub (the “Merger Agreement”).
The tender offer described in this filing has not yet commenced. This filing is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any shares of the common stock of RayzeBio or any other securities, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials that Bristol Myers Squibb and Merger Sub will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). At the time the tender offer is commenced, Bristol Myers Squibb will cause Merger Sub to file a tender offer statement on Schedule TO and RayzeBio will file a recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9. The offer to purchase shares of RayzeBio common stock will only be made pursuant to the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and related documents filed as a part of the Schedule TO. RAYZEBIO’S STOCKHOLDERS AND INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE TENDER OFFER STATEMENT (INCLUDING AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND RELATED TENDER OFFER DOCUMENTS) AND THE RELATED SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9 TO BE FILED BY RAYZEBIO WITH THE SEC, AS THEY MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY RAYZEBIO'S INVESTORS BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER. RAYZEBIO’S STOCKHOLDERS AND INVESTORS ARE ALSO URGED TO READ ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY EACH OF BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB AND RAYZEBIO WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION AND THE PARTIES TO THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain a free copy of these tender offer materials and such other documents containing important information about Bristol Myers Squibb and RayzeBio, once such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request for such materials to the information agent for the offer, which will be named in the tender offer materials. Bristol Myers Squibb and RayzeBio make available free of charge at Bristol Myers Squibb’s website at www.bms.com/investors and RayzeBio’s website at www.rayzebio.com, respectively, copies of materials they file with, or furnish to, the SEC.
This filing contains “forward-looking statements” regarding, among other things, the proposed acquisition of RayzeBio by Bristol Myers Squibb, the expected timetable for completing the transaction, future opportunities for the combined businesses, the expected benefits of Bristol Myers Squibb’s acquisition of RayzeBio and the development and commercialization of RayzeBio’s product candidates, including the therapeutic and commercial potential of RYZ101 and RayzeBio’s other technologies and products in development. These statements may be identified by the fact they use words such as “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “target,” “may,” “project,” “guidance,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will” and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions, and such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially because of numerous risks and uncertainties including with respect to (i) the timing of the tender offer and subsequent merger, (ii) the number of shares of RayzeBio common stock that will be tendered in the tender offer, (iii) the risk that the expected benefits or synergies of the acquisition will not be realized, (iv) the risk that legal proceedings may be instituted related to the merger agreement, (v) any competing offers or acquisition proposals for RayzeBio, (vi) the possibility that various conditions to the consummation of the tender offer or the acquisition may not be satisfied or waived, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the offer or the acquisition and (vii) unanticipated difficulties or expenditures relating to the proposed acquisition, including the response of business partners and competitors to the announcement of the proposed acquisition or difficulties in employee retention as a result of the announcement and pendency of the proposed acquisition. The actual financial impact of this transaction may differ from the expected financial impact described in this filing. In addition, the compounds described in this filing are subject to all the risks inherent in the drug development process, and there can be no assurance that the development of these compounds will be commercially successful. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this filing should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibb’s business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibb’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and RayzeBio’s business, particularly those identified in the risk factors discussion in RayzeBio’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, as well as other documents that may be filed by Bristol Myers Squibb or RayzeBio from time to time with the SEC. Neither Bristol Myers Squibb nor RayzeBio undertakes any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. The forward-looking statements made in this filing relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit 99.1
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Bristol Myers Squibb Adds Premier Radiopharmaceutical Platform with Acquisition of RayzeBio
Transaction Brings RayzeBio’s Differentiated Actinium-Based Radiopharmaceutical Platform, Including Rich Pipeline of Multiple Drug Development Programs, to Bristol Myers Squibb’s Leading Oncology Franchise
Lead Program, RYZ101, in Phase 3 Development for Treatment of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors and Early-stage Development for Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer and Potentially Other Tumor Types
Gains Robust IND Engine and State-of-the-Art Radiopharmaceutical Manufacturing Capabilities
PRINCETON, NJ & SAN DIEGO, CA – December 26, 2023 – Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) and RayzeBio, Inc. (NASDAQ: RYZB) today announced a definitive merger agreement under which Bristol Myers Squibb will acquire RayzeBio for $62.50 per share in cash, for a total equity value of approximately $4.1 billion, or $3.6 billion net of estimated cash acquired. The transaction was unanimously approved by both the Bristol Myers Squibb and RayzeBio Boards of Directors.
RayzeBio is a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical therapeutics (“RPT”) company with an innovation-leading position in actinium-based RPTs and a pipeline of potentially first-in-class and best-in-class drug development programs. Current pipeline programs are targeting the treatment of solid tumors, including gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs), small cell lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and other cancers. There remains a high, unmet need for more effective treatments in solid tumors, and RPTs enable a precision approach to patient treatment. RPTs bind to tumor cells and deliver targeted radiation to induce cancer cell death. Actinium-based RPTs offer potential advantages over currently available RPTs since the high potency and short firing range of the alpha-emitter create the possibility for stronger efficacy and more targeted delivery.
“This transaction enhances our increasingly diversified oncology portfolio by bringing a differentiated platform and pipeline, and further strengthens our growth opportunities in the back half of the decade and beyond,” said Christopher Boerner, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Bristol Myers Squibb. “Radiopharmaceutical therapeutics are already transforming cancer care, and RayzeBio is at the forefront of pioneering the application of this novel modality. We look forward to supporting and accelerating RayzeBio’s preclinical and clinical programs and advancing its highly innovative radiopharmaceutical platform.”
“Acquiring RayzeBio’s differentiated actinium-based radiopharmaceutical platform will establish Bristol Myers Squibb’s presence in one of the most promising and fastest-growing new modalities for the treatment of patients with solid tumors – delivering radioactive payloads to cancer cells in a targeted manner,” said Samit Hirawat, M.D., Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Drug Development of Bristol Myers Squibb. “In addition, RayzeBio’s platform has the potential to be a significant IND engine, generating several therapeutic candidates in the future by leveraging our global drug development capabilities and infrastructure.”
Ken Song, M.D., President and CEO of RayzeBio, said, “Despite therapeutic advances in recent years, the need for more effective treatments in solid tumors persists, and radiopharmaceutical therapeutics are positioned to be an important next wave of innovation in oncology therapy. Bristol Myers Squibb’s well-established presence in oncology and deep expertise in developing, commercializing and manufacturing treatments on a global scale makes it the ideal partner for RayzeBio at this important moment in our evolution. I am excited to see what our team achieves as part of Bristol Myers Squibb.”
RayzeBio’s portfolio includes:
| ● | Lead program RYZ101 (225Ac-DOTATATE), targeting somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2), which is over-expressed in GEP-NETs and extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). A Phase 3 clinical trial is currently enrolling patients to evaluate RYZ101 in patients with SSTR-positive GEP-NETs who have previously been treated with lutetium-177 based somatostatin therapies. RayzeBio previously reported the interim results of the Phase 1b portion of the ACTION-1 clinical trial, suggesting encouraging efficacy and tolerability. A Phase 1b clinical trial is also currently enrolling patients to evaluate RYZ101 as a first-line treatment of ES-SCLC in combination with standard-of-care therapy. |
| ● | RYZ801, RayzeBio’s novel proprietary peptide targeting glypican-3 (GPC3) for delivery of actinium- based radioactivity for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). RYZ801 is currently in IND-enabling studies. |
| ● | Pipeline also includes an asset targeting CA9, which is expressed in renal cell cancer and is currently in IND-enabling studies. |
| ● | Multiple first-in-class preclinical assets to treat solid tumors. |
RayzeBio is completing construction of a state-of-the-art in-house manufacturing facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, and GMP drug production is expected to begin in the first half of 2024.
The transaction is expected to be treated as a business combination and to be dilutive to Bristol Myers Squibb’s non-GAAP diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.13 in 2024. Bristol Myers Squibb expects to finance the acquisition with primarily new debt issuance. Bristol Myers Squibb’s cash flows and strong financial profile enable continued commitment to strong investment-grade credit ratings and investment for growth through business development opportunities and distributions to shareholders through ongoing dividends and share repurchases.
Transaction Terms and Financing
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Bristol Myers Squibb will promptly commence a tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of RayzeBio common stock at a price of $62.50 per share in an all-cash transaction for a total equity value of approximately $4.1 billion, or $3.6 billion net of estimated cash acquired. RayzeBio’s Board of Directors unanimously recommends that RayzeBio’s shareholders tender their shares in the tender offer.
The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions, including the tender of a majority of the outstanding shares of RayzeBio’s common stock and the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. Following the successful closing of the tender offer, Bristol Myers Squibb will acquire all remaining shares of RayzeBio that are not tendered into the tender offer through a second-step merger at the same price of $62.50 per share.
Advisors
BofA Securities, Inc., is serving as financial advisor to Bristol Myers Squibb, and Covington & Burling LLP is serving as legal counsel. Centerview Partners LLC is serving as financial advisor to RayzeBio, and Cooley LLP is serving as legal counsel.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
About RayzeBio
RayzeBio is building a radiopharmaceutical therapeutics (RPT) company to treat various cancers, with its lead program in a Phase 3 clinical trial. RayzeBio has created a pipeline of multiple drug candidates in therapeutic areas with significant market opportunities. Much like antibody drug conjugates emerged as a new and transformative treatment modality in certain cancers, the company sees an opportunity for innovative radiopharmaceutical therapeutics to follow a similar path. RayzeBio believes its strategic investments in building a robust product pipeline, development capabilities, and manufacturing infrastructure position the company to be an industry-leading pioneer in the broad application of RPT for cancer.
Additional Information about the Tender Offer and Where to Find It
The tender offer described in this communication has not yet commenced. This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any shares of the common stock of RayzeBio or any other securities, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials that Bristol Myers Squibb and an acquisition vehicle to be formed by Bristol Myers Squibb promptly following execution of the merger agreement (“Merger Sub”) will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). At the time the tender offer is commenced, Bristol Myers Squibb will cause Merger Sub to file a tender offer statement on Schedule TO and RayzeBio will file a recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9. The offer to purchase shares of RayzeBio common stock will only be made pursuant to the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and related documents filed as a part of the Schedule TO. RAYZEBIO’S STOCKHOLDERS AND INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE TENDER OFFER STATEMENT (INCLUDING AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND RELATED TENDER OFFER DOCUMENTS) AND THE RELATED SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9 TO BE FILED BY RAYZEBIO WITH THE SEC, AS THEY MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY RAYZEBIO’S INVESTORS BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER. RAYZEBIO’S STOCKHOLDERS AND INVESTORS ARE ALSO URGED TO READ ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY EACH OF BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB AND RAYZEBIO WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION AND THE PARTIES TO THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain a free copy of these tender offer materials and such other documents containing important information about Bristol Myers Squibb and RayzeBio, once such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request for such materials to the information agent for the offer, which will be named in the tender offer materials. Bristol Myers Squibb and RayzeBio make available free of charge at Bristol Myers Squibb’s website at www.bms.com/investors and RayzeBio’s website at investors.rayzebio.com, respectively, copies of materials they file with, or furnish to, the SEC.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” regarding, among other things, the proposed acquisition of RayzeBio by Bristol Myers Squibb, the expected timetable for completing the transaction, future opportunities for the combined businesses, the expected benefits of Bristol Myers Squibb’s acquisition of RayzeBio and the development and commercialization of RayzeBio’s product candidates, including the therapeutic and commercial potential of RYZ101 and RayzeBio’s other technologies and products in development. These statements may be identified by the fact they use words such as “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “target,” “may,” “project,” “guidance,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will” and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions, and such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially because of numerous risks and uncertainties including with respect to (i) the timing of the tender offer and subsequent merger, (ii) the number of shares of RayzeBio common stock that will be tendered in the tender offer, (iii) the risk that the expected benefits or synergies of the acquisition will not be realized, (iv) the risk that legal proceedings may be instituted related to the merger agreement, (v) any competing offers or acquisition proposals for RayzeBio, (vi) the possibility that various conditions to the consummation of the tender offer or the acquisition may not be satisfied or waived, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the offer or the acquisition and (vii) unanticipated difficulties or expenditures relating to the proposed acquisition, including the response of business partners and competitors to the announcement of the proposed acquisition or difficulties in employee retention as a result of the announcement and pendency of the proposed acquisition. The actual financial impact of this transaction may differ from the expected financial impact described in this press release. In addition, the compounds described in this press release are subject to all the risks inherent in the drug development process, and there can be no assurance that the development of these compounds will be commercially successful. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibb’s business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibb’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and RayzeBio’s business, particularly those identified in the risk factors discussion in RayzeBio’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, as well as other documents that may be filed by Bristol Myers Squibb or RayzeBio from time to time with the SEC. Neither Bristol Myers Squibb nor RayzeBio undertakes any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information and Financial Guidance
In discussing financial guidance, Bristol Myers Squibb refers to financial measures that are not in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The non-GAAP financial measures are provided as supplemental information to the financial measures presented in this communication that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP and are presented because management has evaluated the company’s financial results both including and excluding the adjusted items or the effects of foreign currency translation, as applicable, and believes that the non-GAAP financial measures presented portray the results of the company’s baseline performance, supplement or enhance management, analysts and investors overall understanding of the company’s underlying financial performance and trends and facilitate comparisons among current, past and future periods.
Non-GAAP earnings and related EPS information are adjusted to exclude certain costs, expenses, gains and losses and other specified items that are evaluated on an individual basis after considering their quantitative and qualitative aspects and typically have one or more of the following characteristics, such as being highly variable, difficult to project, unusual in nature, significant to the results of a particular period or not indicative of past or future operating results. These items are excluded from non-GAAP earnings and related EPS information because Bristol Myers Squibb believes they neither relate to the ordinary course of Bristol Myers Squibb’s business nor reflect Bristol Myers Squibb’s underlying business performance. Similar charges or gains were recognized in prior periods and will likely reoccur in future periods.
Because the non-GAAP financial measures are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, they should not be considered superior to or as a substitute for the related financial measures that are prepared in accordance with GAAP and are not intended to be considered in isolation and may not be the same as or comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies due to possible differences in method and in the items being adjusted. We encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.
A reconciliation of the forward-looking non-GAAP measures presented in this communication is not provided due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying items that are necessary for such reconciliation. Namely, we are not able to reliably predict the impact of specified items such as unwind of inventory purchase price adjustments, accelerated depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets and stock compensation resulting from acquisition-related equity awards, or currency exchange rates beyond the next twelve months. As a result, the reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is not available without unreasonable effort. In addition, Bristol Myers Squibb believes such a reconciliation would imply a degree of precision and certainty that could be confusing to investors. The variability of the specified items may have a significant and unpredictable impact on our future GAAP results. In addition, the non-GAAP financial guidance in this communication excludes the impact of any potential additional future strategic acquisitions and divestitures and any specified items that have not yet been identified and quantified. The financial guidance is subject to risks and uncertainties applicable to all forward-looking statements as described elsewhere in this communication.
Bristol Myers Squibb
Media Inquiries:
Media: media@bms.com
Investors:
Investor Relations: investor.relations@bms.com
RayzeBio
Contact: Arvind Kush
Email: info@rayzebio.com
Exhibit 99.2
Bristol Myers Squibb Adds
Premier Radiopharmaceutical Platform with Acquisition of RayzeBio
Transaction Brings RayzeBio’s Differentiated Actinium-Based Radiopharmaceutical Platform
| » | Lead program, RYZ101, in Phase 3 development for treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) and early-stage development for treatment of small cell lung cancer and potentially other tumor types |
| » | Pipeline asset, RYZ801, close to IND for development in hepatocellular carcinoma |
| » | Adds robust IND engine |
| » | Includes state of the art radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facility |
Robust Pipeline of Multiple Drug and Development Programs
RayzeBio’s pipeline includes RYZ101, RYZ801 and multiple additional first-in-class preclinical assets to treat solid tumors:
| 1 | GEP-NETs expressing SSTR2 who are refractory to Lu177-SSA treatment. |
| 2 | Data is from part 1 of the Phase 1b/3 ACTION-1 clinical trial, of which enrollment has completed and follow-up is ongoing. Part 2, which is the Phase 3 clinical trial, is ongoing. |
RYZ101 (225Ac-DOTATATE)
RayzeBio’s lead asset, RYZ101
RYZ101 (225Ac-DOTATATE) targets somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2), which is expressed in several cancers including GEP-NETs and extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), with a differentiated, alpha particle actinium isotope
Current development status
| » | Currently in Phase 3 studies vs investigators choice SOC agents in GEP-NET patients with disease that has progressed following 177Lu-SSA therapy. Registrational data expected in 2026 |
| » | Phase 1b clinical trial is also currently enrolling patients to evaluate RYZ101 as a first-line combination treatment in ES-SCLC in combination with standard-of-care therapy |
Clinical Data
| » | Interim results of the Phase 1b portion of the ACTION-1 clinical trial were previously reported; 5 of 17 (29.4%) of enrolled patients had confirmed response and 8 (47.1%) had stable disease |
| » | As of June 30, 2023, treatment has been well tolerated with no treatment-related serious adverse events or dose discontinuations due to any adverse event. Treatment-related Grade 3 or higher AEs occurred in 5 (29.4%) of patients. The most common treatment-related Grade 3 or higher AEs were anemia (3 patients), lymphocyte count decreased (3 patients) and creatinine clearance decreased (2 patients) |
Target patient population
| » | The number of patients with GEP-NETs in the U.S. is estimated at 25,000 and with approximately 90% expressing SSTR2 |
| » | The number of patients with ES-SCLC in the U.S. is estimated at 32,000 and with approximately 50% expressing SSTR2 |
RYZ801
| » | Targets glypican-3 (GPC3) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) |
| » | Early human imaging studies conducted outside of the United States demonstrates target engagement in patients with HCC |
| » | RYZ801 is currently in IND enabling studies |
| » | The number of patients with HCC in the US is estimated at 31,000 and with approximately 75% expressing GPC3 |
Supply Chain
| » | RayzeBio is completing construction of a state-of-the-art in-house manufacturing facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, and GMP drug production is expected to begin in the first half of 2024 |
| » | Isotopes currently procured via DOE and other third party suppliers with plans to manufacture internally |
About Radiopharmaceutical Therapeutics (RPTs)
| » | RPTs are positioned to be an important next wave of innovation in oncology therapy, enabling a precision approach to treating patients with solid tumors |
| » | RPTs bind to tumor cells and deliver targeted radiation to induce cancer cell death |
| » | Actinium-based RPTs offer potential advantages over currently available RPTs since the high potency and short firing range of the alpha-emitter create the possibility for stronger efficacy and more targeted delivery |
About RayzeBio, Inc.
RayzeBio is building a radiopharmaceutical therapeutics (RPT) company to treat various cancers, with its lead program in a Phase 3 clinical trial. RayzeBio has created a pipeline of multiple drug candidates in therapeutic areas with significant market opportunities. Much like antibody drug conjugates emerged as a new and transformative treatment modality in certain cancers, the company sees an opportunity for innovative radiopharmaceutical therapeutics to follow a similar path. RayzeBio believes its strategic investments in building a robust product pipeline, development capabilities, and manufacturing infrastructure position the company to be an industry-leading pioneer in the broad application of RPT for cancer.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Additional Information about the Tender Offer and Where to Find It
The tender offer described in this communication has not yet commenced. This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any shares of the common stock of RayzeBio or any other securities, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials that Bristol Myers Squibb and an acquisition vehicle to be formed by Bristol Myers Squibb promptly following execution of the merger agreement (“Merger Sub”) will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). At the time the tender offer is commenced, Bristol Myers Squibb will cause Merger Sub to file a tender offer statement on Schedule TO and RayzeBio will file a recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9. The offer to purchase shares of RayzeBio common stock will only be made pursuant to the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and related documents filed as a part of the Schedule TO. RAYZEBIO’S STOCKHOLDERS AND INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE TENDER OFFER STATEMENT (INCLUDING AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND RELATED TENDER OFFER DOCUMENTS) AND THE RELATED SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9 TO BE FILED BY RAYZEBIO WITH THE SEC, AS THEY MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY RAYZEBIO’S INVESTORS BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER. RAYZEBIO’S STOCKHOLDERS AND INVESTORS ARE ALSO URGED TO READ ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY EACH OF BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB AND RAYZEBIO WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION AND THE PARTIES TO THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain a free copy of these tender offer materials and such other documents containing important information about Bristol Myers Squibb and RayzeBio, once such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request for such materials to the information agent for the offer, which will be named in the tender offer materials. Bristol Myers Squibb and RayzeBio make available free of charge at Bristol Myers Squibb’s website at www.bms.com/investors and RayzeBio’s website at investors.rayzebio.com, respectively, copies of materials they file with, or furnish to, the SEC.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” regarding, among other things, the proposed acquisition of RayzeBio by Bristol Myers Squibb, the expected timetable for completing the transaction, future opportunities for the combined businesses, the expected benefits of Bristol Myers Squibb’s acquisition of RayzeBio and the development and commercialization of RayzeBio’s product candidates, including the therapeutic and commercial potential of RYZ101 and RayzeBio’s other technologies and products in development. These statements may be identified by the fact they use words such as “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “target,” “may,” “project,” “guidance,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will” and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions, and such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially because of numerous risks and uncertainties including with respect to (i) the timing of the tender offer and subsequent merger, (ii) the number of shares of RayzeBio common stock that will be tendered in the tender offer, (iii) the risk that the expected benefits or synergies of the acquisition will not be realized, (iv) the risk that legal proceedings may be instituted related to the merger agreement, (v) any competing offers or acquisition proposals for RayzeBio, (vi) the possibility that various conditions to the consummation of the tender offer or the acquisition may not be satisfied or waived, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the offer or the acquisition and (vii) unanticipated difficulties or expenditures relating to the proposed acquisition, including the response of business partners and competitors to the announcement of the proposed acquisition or difficulties in employee retention as a result of the announcement and pendency of the proposed acquisition. The actual financial impact of this transaction may differ from the expected financial impact described in this communication. In addition, the compounds described in this communication are subject to all the risks inherent in the drug development process, and there can be no assurance that the development of these compounds will be commercially successful. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this communication should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibb’s business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibb’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and RayzeBio’s business, particularly those identified in the risk factors discussion in RayzeBio’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, as well as other documents that may be filed by Bristol Myers Squibb or RayzeBio from time to time with the SEC. Neither Bristol Myers Squibb nor RayzeBio undertakes any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. The forward-looking statements made in this communication relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements.
Exhibit 99.3
Social Media Content
Twitter/X
Additional Information about the Tender Offer and Where to Find It
The tender offer described in this communication has not yet commenced. This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any shares of the common stock of RayzeBio or any other securities, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials that Bristol Myers Squibb and an acquisition vehicle to be formed by Bristol Myers Squibb promptly following execution of the merger agreement (“Merger Sub”) will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). At the time the tender offer is commenced, Bristol Myers Squibb will cause Merger Sub to file a tender offer statement on Schedule TO and RayzeBio will file a recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9. The offer to purchase shares of RayzeBio common stock will only be made pursuant to the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and related documents filed as a part of the Schedule TO. RAYZEBIO’S STOCKHOLDERS AND INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE TENDER OFFER STATEMENT (INCLUDING AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND RELATED TENDER OFFER DOCUMENTS) AND THE RELATED SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9 TO BE FILED BY RAYZEBIO WITH THE SEC, AS THEY MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY RAYZEBIO’S INVESTORS BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER. RAYZEBIO’S STOCKHOLDERS AND INVESTORS ARE ALSO URGED TO READ ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY EACH OF BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB AND RAYZEBIO WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION AND THE PARTIES TO THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain a free copy of these tender offer materials and such other documents containing important information about Bristol Myers Squibb and RayzeBio, once such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request for such materials to the information agent for the offer, which will be named in the tender offer materials. Bristol Myers Squibb and RayzeBio make available free of charge at Bristol Myers Squibb’s website at www.bms.com/investors and RayzeBio’s website at investors.rayzebio.com, respectively, copies of materials they file with, or furnish to, the SEC.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” regarding, among other things, the proposed acquisition of RayzeBio by Bristol Myers Squibb, the expected timetable for completing the transaction, future opportunities for the combined businesses, the expected benefits of Bristol Myers Squibb’s acquisition of RayzeBio and the development and commercialization of RayzeBio’s product candidates, including the therapeutic and commercial potential of RYZ101 and RayzeBio’s other technologies and products in development. These statements may be identified by the fact they use words such as “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “target,” “may,” “project,” “guidance,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will” and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions, and such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially because of numerous risks and uncertainties including with respect to (i) the timing of the tender offer and subsequent merger, (ii) the number of shares of RayzeBio common stock that will be tendered in the tender offer, (iii) the risk that the expected benefits or synergies of the acquisition will not be realized, (iv) the risk that legal proceedings may be instituted related to the merger agreement, (v) any competing offers or acquisition proposals for RayzeBio, (vi) the possibility that various conditions to the consummation of the tender offer or the acquisition may not be satisfied or waived, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the offer or the acquisition and (vii) unanticipated difficulties or expenditures relating to the proposed acquisition, including the response of business partners and competitors to the announcement of the proposed acquisition or difficulties in employee retention as a result of the announcement and pendency of the proposed acquisition. The actual financial impact of this transaction may differ from the expected financial impact described in this communication. In addition, the compounds described in this communication are subject to all the risks inherent in the drug development process, and there can be no assurance that the development of these compounds will be commercially successful. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this communication should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibb’s business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibb’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and RayzeBio’s business, particularly those identified in the risk factors discussion in RayzeBio’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, as well as other documents that may be filed by Bristol Myers Squibb or RayzeBio from time to time with the SEC. Neither Bristol Myers Squibb nor RayzeBio undertakes any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. The forward-looking statements made in this communication relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements.
Exhibit 99.4
BMS-RYZB BMS Employee Letter
Subject: Broadening our Oncology Capabilities with Acquisition of RayzeBio
To: Bristol Myers Squibb Employees
Date: December 26, 2023
Dear Colleagues,
We hope that you are reading this following a quiet and restful Shutdown Week. We are excited to share that today, December 26, 2023, we announced an agreement to acquire RayzeBio, a radiopharmaceutical therapeutics (RPT) company with an innovation-leading position in actinium-based RPTs and a pipeline of potentially first-in-class and best-in-class drug development programs. With this acquisition, we add RayzeBio’s pipeline and discovery, development and manufacturing capabilities to our increasingly diversified Oncology portfolio.
BMS has a long history of innovation leadership in oncology. Despite many therapeutic advances over the last decade, like immuno-oncology, many patients with solid tumor malignancies still need more effective treatment options. To address the needs of these patients, and continue to lead in oncology, we know we must expand our presence in priority disease areas while continuing to diversify targets and growth modalities to meaningfully improve patient outcomes. We expanded our oncology portfolio to include precision oncology and anti-drug conjugate programs earlier this year. Now, with this acquisition, we expand our portfolio to include RPTs as well.
RPTs are positioned to be an important next wave of innovation in oncology therapy. These medicines bind to tumor cells and deliver targeted radiation to induce cancer cell death. While RayzeBio is at the forefront of pioneering the application of this novel modality, we believe RayzeBio can benefit from our expertise in discovering, developing, commercializing and manufacturing treatments on a global scale.
RYZ101, RayzeBio’s lead asset, utilizes a highly potent alpha particle radioisotope, actinium-225, for the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. This treatment is currently the first of its kind in a Phase 3 clinical trial and has the possibility for stronger efficacy and more targeted delivery. RayzeBio previously reported the interim results of the Phase 1b portion of the ACTION-1 clinical trial, suggesting encouraging efficacy and tolerability.
RayzeBio’s portfolio also includes RYZ801, a novel proprietary peptide targeting glypican-3 (GPC3) for delivery of actinium-based radioactivity for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and multiple first-in-class preclinical assets to treat solid tumors. The pipeline also includes an asset targeting CA9, which is expressed in renal cell cancer and is currently in IND-enabling studies. We believe these assets will enhance our increasingly diversified oncology portfolio and strengthen our growth opportunities in the back half of the decade and beyond.
We look forward to welcoming the RayzeBio team to BMS and together advancing our mission to improve the lives of patients with solid tumors. Until the transaction closes, which we expect to occur in the first half of 2024, BMS and RayzeBio will continue to operate as separate and independent companies.
We would like to thank the cross-functional deal team that worked diligently to bring this deal to fruition.
With the recent announcements of the Mirati and Systimmune transactions, along with this agreement to acquire RayzeBio, we are making great progress in continuing to diversify our oncology portfolio. With our expertise in development, this breadth of modalities will get more medicines into the hands of more patients long into the next decade. This is an exciting time at BMS, and it is because of your dedication that we have been able to make these recently announced strategic transactions. As always, thank you for your hard work on behalf of the customers and patients we serve, and for those celebrating, please enjoy the holiday season. We look forward to seeing you all refreshed in the New Year.
Best regards,
David Elkins
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Samit Hirawat
Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Drug Development
Robert Plenge
Executive Vice President, Chief Research Officer, Head of Research
Karin Shanahan
Executive Vice President, Global Product Development & Supply
Additional Information about the Tender Offer and Where to Find It
The tender offer described in this communication has not yet commenced. This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any shares of the common stock of RayzeBio or any other securities, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials that Bristol Myers Squibb and an acquisition vehicle to be formed by Bristol Myers Squibb promptly following execution of the merger agreement (“Merger Sub”) will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). At the time the tender offer is commenced, Bristol Myers Squibb will cause Merger Sub to file a tender offer statement on Schedule TO and RayzeBio will file a recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9. The offer to purchase shares of RayzeBio common stock will only be made pursuant to the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and related documents filed as a part of the Schedule TO. RAYZEBIO’S STOCKHOLDERS AND INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE TENDER OFFER STATEMENT (INCLUDING AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND RELATED TENDER OFFER DOCUMENTS) AND THE RELATED SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9 TO BE FILED BY RAYZEBIO WITH THE SEC, AS THEY MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY RAYZEBIO’S INVESTORS BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER. RAYZEBIO’S STOCKHOLDERS AND INVESTORS ARE ALSO URGED TO READ ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY EACH OF BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB AND RAYZEBIO WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION AND THE PARTIES TO THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain a free copy of these tender offer materials and such other documents containing important information about Bristol Myers Squibb and RayzeBio, once such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request for such materials to the information agent for the offer, which will be named in the tender offer materials. Bristol Myers Squibb and RayzeBio make available free of charge at Bristol Myers Squibb’s website at www.bms.com/investors and RayzeBio’s website at investors.rayzebio.com, respectively, copies of materials they file with, or furnish to, the SEC.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” regarding, among other things, the proposed acquisition of RayzeBio by Bristol Myers Squibb, the expected timetable for completing the transaction, future opportunities for the combined businesses, the expected benefits of Bristol Myers Squibb’s acquisition of RayzeBio and the development and commercialization of RayzeBio’s product candidates, including the therapeutic and commercial potential of RYZ101 and RayzeBio’s other technologies and products in development. These statements may be identified by the fact they use words such as “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “target,” “may,” “project,” “guidance,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will” and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions, and such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially because of numerous risks and uncertainties including with respect to (i) the timing of the tender offer and subsequent merger, (ii) the number of shares of RayzeBio common stock that will be tendered in the tender offer, (iii) the risk that the expected benefits or synergies of the acquisition will not be realized, (iv) the risk that legal proceedings may be instituted related to the merger agreement, (v) any competing offers or acquisition proposals for RayzeBio, (vi) the possibility that various conditions to the consummation of the tender offer or the acquisition may not be satisfied or waived, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the offer or the acquisition and (vii) unanticipated difficulties or expenditures relating to the proposed acquisition, including the response of business partners and competitors to the announcement of the proposed acquisition or difficulties in employee retention as a result of the announcement and pendency of the proposed acquisition. The actual financial impact of this transaction may differ from the expected financial impact described in this press release. In addition, the compounds described in this press release are subject to all the risks inherent in the drug development process, and there can be no assurance that the development of these compounds will be commercially successful. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibb’s business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibb’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and RayzeBio’s business, particularly those identified in the risk factors discussion in RayzeBio’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, as well as other documents that may be filed by Bristol Myers Squibb or RayzeBio from time to time with the SEC. Neither Bristol Myers Squibb nor RayzeBio undertakes any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements.
Exhibit 99.5
BMS-RYZB Letter to RYZB Employees
Subject: Welcome to the Bristol Myers Squibb Team!
To: RayzeBio Employees
Date: December 26, 2023
Dear RayzeBio Team,
On behalf of everyone at Bristol Myers Squibb, I am writing to share how excited we are about the proposed transaction.
We deeply admire what RayzeBio has accomplished, and all of us at BMS are impressed by your technology, differentiated platform, pipeline and innovation leadership in the rapidly growing field of radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT). BMS has a long history of innovation in oncology, which includes pioneering new therapies and bringing important medicines to market to help patients globally. Over the past several decades, innovative cancer medicines have had a dramatic impact on disease outcomes, but there is more work to do. We are excited about the potential of RPT and believe that this new modality is positioned to transform the way certain cancers are treated.
Through this transaction, we intend to leverage our well-established presence in oncology and deep expertise in developing, commercializing and manufacturing drugs on a global scale to accelerate RayzeBio’s preclinical and clinical programs and advance your highly innovative radiopharmaceutical platform. We believe that together, we can help bring the transformative potential of RPT to even more patients.
With RayzeBio’s IPO in September and now this transaction, I recognize there has been a lot of change in a short time. We are excited to bring our companies together in a way that leverages your highly specialized expertise and skill, amplified by our global capabilities and infrastructure, to maximize the impact we can have on cancer care. While BMS and RayzeBio will continue to operate as separate and independent companies until the transaction closes, we will have leaders from both companies working together on a plan for this, and we look forward to sharing updates as planning progresses.
On behalf of all of my colleagues at BMS, we look forward to welcoming you to the team and together advancing our mission to improve the lives of people living with cancer.
Wishing you a very happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Christopher Boerner, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Bristol Myers Squibb
Additional Information about the Tender Offer and Where to Find It
The tender offer described in this communication has not yet commenced. This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any shares of the common stock of RayzeBio or any other securities, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials that Bristol Myers Squibb and an acquisition vehicle to be formed by Bristol Myers Squibb promptly following execution of the merger agreement (“Merger Sub”) will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). At the time the tender offer is commenced, Bristol Myers Squibb will cause Merger Sub to file a tender offer statement on Schedule TO and RayzeBio will file a recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9. The offer to purchase shares of RayzeBio common stock will only be made pursuant to the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and related documents filed as a part of the Schedule TO. RAYZEBIO’S STOCKHOLDERS AND INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE TENDER OFFER STATEMENT (INCLUDING AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND RELATED TENDER OFFER DOCUMENTS) AND THE RELATED SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9 TO BE FILED BY RAYZEBIO WITH THE SEC, AS THEY MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY RAYZEBIO’S INVESTORS BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER. RAYZEBIO’S STOCKHOLDERS AND INVESTORS ARE ALSO URGED TO READ ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY EACH OF BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB AND RAYZEBIO WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION AND THE PARTIES TO THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain a free copy of these tender offer materials and such other documents containing important information about Bristol Myers Squibb and RayzeBio, once such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request for such materials to the information agent for the offer, which will be named in the tender offer materials. Bristol Myers Squibb and RayzeBio make available free of charge at Bristol Myers Squibb’s website at www.bms.com/investors and RayzeBio’s website at investors.rayzebio.com, respectively, copies of materials they file with, or furnish to, the SEC.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” regarding, among other things, the proposed acquisition of RayzeBio by Bristol Myers Squibb, the expected timetable for completing the transaction, future opportunities for the combined businesses, the expected benefits of Bristol Myers Squibb’s acquisition of RayzeBio and the development and commercialization of RayzeBio’s product candidates, including the therapeutic and commercial potential of RYZ101 and RayzeBio’s other technologies and products in development. These statements may be identified by the fact they use words such as “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “target,” “may,” “project,” “guidance,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will” and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions, and such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially because of numerous risks and uncertainties including with respect to (i) the timing of the tender offer and subsequent merger, (ii) the number of shares of RayzeBio common stock that will be tendered in the tender offer, (iii) the risk that the expected benefits or synergies of the acquisition will not be realized, (iv) the risk that legal proceedings may be instituted related to the merger agreement, (v) any competing offers or acquisition proposals for RayzeBio, (vi) the possibility that various conditions to the consummation of the tender offer or the acquisition may not be satisfied or waived, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the offer or the acquisition and (vii) unanticipated difficulties or expenditures relating to the proposed acquisition, including the response of business partners and competitors to the announcement of the proposed acquisition or difficulties in employee retention as a result of the announcement and pendency of the proposed acquisition. The actual financial impact of this transaction may differ from the expected financial impact described in this press release. In addition, the compounds described in this press release are subject to all the risks inherent in the drug development process, and there can be no assurance that the development of these compounds will be commercially successful. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibb’s business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibb’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and RayzeBio’s business, particularly those identified in the risk factors discussion in RayzeBio’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, as well as other documents that may be filed by Bristol Myers Squibb or RayzeBio from time to time with the SEC. Neither Bristol Myers Squibb nor RayzeBio undertakes any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements.