MusclePharm , a sports nutrition company, has signed a definitive asset purchase agreement with BioZone Pharmaceuticals to acquire substantially all of the assets of BioZone and its subsidiaries.
Under the terms of the agreement, MusclePharm, through a newly formed Nevada subsidiary, BioZone Laboratories, will acquire substantially all of the assets of BioZone and its subsidiaries including its manufacturing facility in Richmond, California; all assets associated with BioZone's QuSomes, HyperSorb and EquaSome technologies; BioZone's Baker-Cummins line of products; and, the name 'BioZone'.
In addition, BioZone will retain the right to market QuSomes technology for a period of time. The company will also license certain of the acquired assets to BioZone for a period of time.
BioZone's patented QuSomes technology enhances the absorption of topical and other drugs.
MusclePharm is evaluating the QuSomes technology in connection with nutritional supplements to determine if the combination of QuSomes and nutritional supplements will enhance the absorption and speed of delivery of several MusclePharm products.
MusclePharm's management believes that the acquisition would provide MusclePharm with additional benefits:
- A substantial opportunity to bring science, innovation and sophistication to the sport nutrition market;
- An opportunity to realize meaningful cost savings by utilizing the existing BioZone facilities in Northern California to establish a new west coast distribution center for MusclePharm products;
- An opportunity to realize meaningful cost savings by internalizing and consolidating MusclePharm's product quality control programs which are currently being outsourced; and
- An opportunity, over time, to internalize various components of manufacturing of MusclePharm products.
MusclePharm founder and CEO Brad Pyatt noted the company believes that the acquisition of the BioZone assets provides MusclePharm with numerous avenues to create shareholder value.
"In addition to acquiring the delivery technologies and science, we will have an opportunity to improve our logistics and supply chain and take control of QC procedures. Lastly, it gives us a long-term roadmap to eventually take control of our manufacturing," Pyatt added.
The purchase price to be paid by MusclePharm at closing is 1.2 million shares of the company's common stock, of which 600,000 shares will be placed into escrow for a period of nine months to cover indemnification obligations.
While in escrow, the 600,000 shares shall also be subject to repurchase by MusclePharm for $10.00 per share in cash. Non-escrowed shares will be subject to a lockup agreement containing certain leak out provisions as well as permit private sales.
Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions including the delivery of a fairness opinion to MusclePharm, regulatory filings, and shareholder approval by BioZone shareholders. Closing will occur subsequent to satisfying all closing conditions which is expected to occur prior to 31 December 2013.