Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, is commencing, through a subsidiary, a cash tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock of Immune Design. On Feb. 21, 2019, Merck announced its intent to acquire Immune Design.

Upon the successful closing of the tender offer, stockholders of Immune Design will receive $5.85 in cash for each share of Immune Design common stock validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in the offer, without interest and less any required withholding taxes. Following the purchase of shares in the tender offer, Immune Design will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merck.

Merck will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a tender offer statement on Schedule TO, which provides the terms of the tender offer. Additionally, Immune Design will file with the SEC a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 that includes the recommendation of the Immune Design board of directors that their stockholders accept the tender offer and tender their shares.

The tender offer will expire at 12:00 am EDT on April 2, 2019, unless extended in accordance with the merger agreement and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. The closing of the tender offer is subject to customary terms and conditions, including the tender of a number of shares which, together with shares then owned by Merck (if any), represents a majority of the outstanding shares, and the expiration or the termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. The transaction is expected to close early in the second quarter of 2019.

SOURCE: Merck & Co