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Valeant ups bid for Allergan to about $200 US a share

Quebec-based drugmaker Valeant said it would be willing to raise its takeover bid for Allergan by almost 12 per cent, which would mean $200 US or more per share for the maker of Botox.

Hostile takeover war over Botox maker has been dragging on for 8 months

The Canadian Press ·
Montreal-based Valeant is ready to increase its bidding for Botox-maker Allergan by 12 per cent. (Canadian Press)

Quebec-based drugmaker Valeant said it would be willing to raise its takeover bid for Allergan by almost 12 per cent, which would mean $200 US or more per share for the maker of Botox.

The letter to Allergan's board Monday did not break down the exact terms of the new offer, but Valeant said the increase would consist of added "consideration" and expected appreciation of Valeant's own stock to be used in any deal.

The letter was released publicly just before Allergan released its third-quarter earnings, which topped Wall Street expectations.

Allergan pointed out in a written statement that Valeant has not made a firm higher offer and said the letter was intended to "distract investors from Allergan's outstanding third quarter results."

Valeant, based in Laval, Quebec, has made several offers to buy Allergan, only recently offering about $179 per share at current stock values.

Allergan, which is based in Irvine, California, has set a Dec. 18 date for a special shareholder meeting at which its shareholders will consider replacing most of its board.

That could give Valeant and activist investor Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Capital Management LP, which has built a large stake in Allergan, a chance at a takeover. Beyond control of the board, there also will be a vote on whether Allergan should talk to Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. and Pershing Square.

Bitter takeover battle

The companies have traded barbs throughout the takeover battle, and Valeant has said that Allergen has made misleading statements about Valeant's businesses, including Bausch + Lomb, which Valeant acquired last year.

Allergan's third quarter was helped by rising drug and medical device sales.

Allergan on Monday reported net income of $312.5 million US, or $1.03 per share, in its third quarter, which ended Sept. 30. That's up from $300.8 million, or $1 per share, in the same quarter last year

Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were $1.78 per share. Analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research expected $1.62 per share, on average.

The company, which also makes eyelash extender Latisse and dry-eye drug Restasis, posted revenue of $1.82 billion in the period, which also beat Street forecasts. Analysts expected $1.77 billion, according to Zacks.

Shares of Allergan Inc. slipped 31 cent to $183.90 in morning trading. Its shares have almost doubled in the past year.

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