Cell Pathways and Tseng Labs Agree to Combine.HORSHAM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 24, 1998--Cell Pathways, Inc. ("CPI") of Horsham, PA and Tseng Labs, Inc. ("Tseng") of Norristown, PA (Nasdaq National Market:TSNG) today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement whereby the stockholders of Tseng will exchange all of their stock tax-free for approximately 5.5 million shares of Common Stock of CPI, representing an equity interest of approximately 23%. The transaction will require the approval of the stockholders of both companies. Upon completion of the transaction, scheduled for October 1998, the stock of CPI will be listed for trading on the Nasdaq National Market. Tseng currently has 15,084,337 shares of common stock outstanding. Based on the closing price of Tseng stock on the Nasdaq National Market on Tuesday, June 23, 1998 of $2.69, the proposed transaction has a total value of approximately $177 million. Jack Gibbons, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tseng, commented, "After an analysis of nearly 100 possible transactions, and a careful review by independent experts, we chose this transaction and sincerely believe it is an outstanding opportunity for the shareholders of Tseng to participate in a company with exciting future prospects." "The completion of this transaction will provide CPI with additional financial resources to continue the aggressive clinical development of our lead compound, FGN-1(TM) exisulind, in the prevention and treatment of several of the most common and deadly forms of cancer," said Robert J. Towarnicki, President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Cell Pathways. "In addition, it will allow us to accelerate the preclinical development of some of the most promising new anticancer compounds in our research pipeline." Mr. Towarnicki will become President and CEO of the combined company. In December of 1997, Tseng sold substantially all of its graphics development assets and sought to convert its largely cash assets into investments in a growth-stage company or companies in the late stage of product development. CPI is a privately-owned pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of products to prevent and treat cancer. CPI has started or is planning clinical trials of its lead compound FGN-1(TM) exisulind in seven indications (an "indication" is a disease, symptom or medical sign or circumstance for which the product is to be used). CPI is conducting an on-going pivotal Phase III trial for Adenomatous Polyposis Coli adenomatous polyposis coli Familial adenomatous polyposis, see there. See APC gene, APC protein. (APC (1) (American Power Conversion Corporation, West Kingston, RI, www.apcc.com) The leading manufacturer of UPS systems and surge suppressors, founded in 1981 by Rodger Dowdell, Neil Rasmussen and Emanual Landsman, three electronic power engineers who had worked at MIT. ), a disease characterized by numerous precancerous polyps precancerous polyps Oncology A polyp that arises int the mucosa, which has an ↑ risk of cancer of the colon. In December 1997, CPI initiated Phase II/III trials of FGN-1 for the treatment of sporadic adenomatous adenomatous /ad·e·nom·a·tous/ (ad?e-nom´ah-tus) 1. pertaining to an adenoma. 2. pertaining to nodular hyperplasia of a gland. ad·e·nom·a·tous adj. 1. colonic polyps, and for the prevention of prostate cancer prostate cancer, cancer originating in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is the leading malignancy in men in the United States and is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in men. recurrence, as well as a pilot study in lung cancer lung cancer, cancer that originates in the tissues of the lungs. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States in both men and women. Like other cancers, lung cancer occurs after repeated insults to the genetic material of the cell. . In February 1998, CPI initiated a Phase II/III trial of FGN-1 for the prevention of breast cancer recurrence. CPI also plans to initiate Phase II trials for the treatment of Barrett's Esophagus Bar·rett's esophagus n. Chronic peptic ulcer of the lower esophagus due to the presence of columnar epithelium resembling the mucosa of the gastric cardia. and cervical dysplasia Cervical dysplasia Dysplasia is the abnormal growth of the epithelial cells. This is what a Pap smear will detect in the cervix. Mentioned in: Pelvic Exam cervical dysplasia in 1998. CPI's technology is based upon its discovery of a novel mechanism which the company believes, based on its research, can be targeted to induce selective apoptosis, or programmed cell death pro·grammed cell death n. See apoptosis. programmed cell death proposed system of cell death, often including poly(ADP)-ribosylation, ensures that a cell will not survive if it is so badly damaged that its recovery would harm the in precancerous precancerous /pre·can·cer·ous/ (-kan´ser-us) pertaining to a pathologic process that tends to become malignant. pre·can·cer·ous adj. and cancerous cells without affecting normal cells. Utilizing this proprietary knowledge, the company has created over 400 new chemical compounds, over 200 of which display significantly greater apopotic potency than exisulind. Cell Pathways Inc. was founded in 1990 and has completed seven rounds of private equity financing Equity Financing The act of raising money for company activities by selling common or preferred stock to individual or institutional investors. In return for the money paid, shareholders receive ownership interests in the corporation. . Investors in these private equity financings have included: Canaan Partners, Gem Capital Management, Goldman Sachs, New York Life Insurance Company The New York Life Insurance Company (NYLIC) is the largest mutual life-insurance company in the United States, and one of the largest life insurers in the world.[3] , Northwood Ventures, Quest Ventures, Technology Partners, and Vulcan Northwest. In its most recent financings, CPI raised $17.6 million in the spring of 1997 and $21.6 million in the spring of 1998. Following the combination of CPI and Tseng, CPI expects to have $45 million in cash and cash equivalents, and approximately 24 million shares of common stock outstanding. Financial advice regarding the transaction was provided to CPI by Salomon Smith Barney and to Tseng by Janney Montgomery Scott. Internet users may visit the Cell Pathway's website at http://www.igi.net/~cellpath and Tseng's website at http://www.tseng.com. All forward looking information are estimates of Tseng Labs, Inc.'s management and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may influence Tseng's ability to execute its acquisition strategy and other risks as detailed from time to time in Tseng's SEC reports and filings.
CONTACT: Mark Karsch
Tseng Labs, Inc.
Senior V.P. and CFO
(610) 313-9388
e-mail:financial@tseng.com
or
Robert J. Towarnicki
Cell Pathways, Inc.
President and CEO
(215) 706-3800
or
TSENG'S INVESTOR RELATIONS:
The Equity Group Inc.
Linda Latman/Robert Goldstein
(212) 836-9609/(212) 371-8660
or
CELL PATHWAYS MEDIA CONTACT:
J. Kureczka Associates
Joan Kureczka/Jesse Fisher
(415) 821-2413
|
|
||||||||||||||||||

Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion