Vyteris, Inc., developer of the first FDA-approved active transdermal patch and an innovator in alternative drug delivery technology, has executed a definitive merger agreement with MediSync BioServices Inc., a privately held company focused on the consolidation of complementary, high-value, niche contract research organizations (“CRO”), site management organizations (“SMO”), and related businesses within the highly fragmented $22 billion contract drug development industry.
MediSync’s current and planned services include product development, clinical trial management, and data management services for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. MediSync was formed in 2006 by a group of life sciences executives, including Gene Burleson and Gary Brukardt, who have extensive and successful track records of consolidation within the healthcare industry. MediSync’s growth efforts are focused on bringing together established and profitable privately held CROs and related consulting firms to create a specialized cluster of businesses with complementary services that benefit from centralized administration, enhanced access to expansion capital and cross selling capabilities. To date, MediSync has completed one such acquisition and is in contract to close a second before year end.
“MediSync has a unique strategy for consolidation, growth and profitabliity in an established industry with exciting growth potential,” said Haro Hartounian, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer at Vyteris. “MediSync provides us with the opportunity to broaden our corporate strategy, bringing both a revenue platform that limits our longer-term capital requirements and execution expertise to more rapidly develop our pipeline products. The combined company represents a distinct opportunity in the life sciences industry that is guided by a team with a substantial record of value creation.”
Under the terms of the definitive agreement, MediSync will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Vyteris. Consideration will consist of approximately 27 million shares of Vyteris common stock to current holders of MediSync stock and debt. Upon closing of the transaction, two additional MediSync directors will be appointed to Vyteris’ Board of Directors. Two of Vyteris’ current directors, Eugene Bauer and Joel Kanter, are directors of and own minority positions in MediSync, and are the source of introduction of the opportunity to Vyteris. Closing of the merger transaction is subject to consent by shareholders of Vyteris holding a majority of the issued and outstanding common stock of Vyteris owned by non-affiliates of MediSync.
