SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Opiant Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: OPNT) today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by Indivior Inc, a subsidiary of Indivior PLC (LON: INDV). Under the terms of the agreement, Indivior will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Opiant for upfront consideration of $20.00 per share in cash at closing, plus contingent value rights (CVRs) representing, if achieved, potential additional payments over a period of seven years of up to $8.00 per share. Achievement of the CVR payments, if any, are based on attaining certain revenue thresholds for OPNT003, nasal nalmefene, Opiant’s investigational treatment for opioid overdose, as detailed below.

The upfront payment at closing of $20.00 per share represents a premium of approximately 111% to Opiant's closing share price on November 11, 2022, and 99% premium to the 30-day volume-weighted average share price. Inclusive of each of the CVR payments, the total potential transaction value represents a premium of up to 195% and 178%, respectively. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of each company.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that reflects the great potential Opiant has created with OPNT003 and our pipeline of medicines,” said Roger Crystal, M.D., Opiant President and Chief Executive Officer. “This transaction provides Opiant shareholders with immediate value in addition to the potential future upside from the CVRs. This transaction will also enable us to leverage Indivior’s commercial strength and resources to maximize the value of OPNT003 and our pipeline assets. Importantly, I want to thank our talented team, who have worked tirelessly to progress our Company to this point and look forward to the achievements still to come.”

“Our work has never been more critical, with reported overdose deaths in the United States occurring at near record numbers,” said Mark Crossley, Chief Executive Officer of Indivior. “Opiant’s portfolio of product candidates is an excellent strategic fit that diversifies and strengthens our offerings, while Indivior’s strong commercial capabilities will propel a combined product pipeline with the potential to help patients along a continuum from addiction and rescue to recovery. We look forward to working with Opiant’s talented team as we undertake our shared mission of helping people with substance use disorders.”

Transaction Details

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Indivior will acquire all outstanding shares of Opiant for upfront consideration of $20.00 per share in cash, plus up to $8.00 per share in CVRs that may become payable if certain net revenue milestones are achieved by Opiant’s lead asset OPNT003 over the applicable seven-year period.

Pursuant to the CVRs, Indivior will pay $2.00 per CVR if OPNT003 achieves the following net revenue thresholds during any period of four consecutive quarters prior to the seventh anniversary of the U.S. commercial launch: (i) $225 million, (ii) $300 million, and (iii) $325 million. The remaining $2.00 per CVR will become payable if OPNT003 achieves net revenue of $250 million during any period of four consecutive quarters prior to the third anniversary of the U.S. commercial launch. There can be no guarantee that the CVR payments will be achieved as the future performance of OPNT003 is subject to several risks and uncertainties.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including U.S. antitrust clearance, clearance by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and receipt of approval of Opiant’s shareholders. The members of the Board of Directors of Opiant, who hold approximately 4.5% of the outstanding Opiant shares, have entered into a voting agreement with Indivior and agreed to vote their shares in favor of the transaction. Pending approvals, the parties anticipate completing the transaction in the first quarter of 2023.

Earnings conference call
Given the proposed transaction, Opiant will not be hosting the previously scheduled earnings conference call on Monday, November 14, 2022.

Advisors
Lazard Frères & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor to Opiant and Latham & Watkins LLP is serving as legal advisor to Opiant.

About Opiant Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 
Opiant Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is building a leading franchise of new medicines to combat addictions and drug overdose. For more information visit: www.opiant.com.

About OPNT003, nasal nalmefene
OPNT003, nasal nalmefene, is a high-affinity mu-opioid receptor antagonist that reduces the binding of opioids to this receptor, limiting respiratory depression, the primary cause of overdose injury and death. In a head-to-head pharmacodynamic study, OPNT003 produced a reversal of remifentanil-induced respiratory depression that was nearly twice that produced by nasal naloxone 4mg at the primary endpoint of five minutes. The intrinsic properties of nalmefene, taken together with results from Opiant’s pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies, are consistent with the potential of OPNT003 to provide a fast and sustained reversal of opioid overdose. Opiant has initiated a rolling submission of a New Drug Application to the FDA for OPNT003, using the 505(b)(2) pathway and intends to complete the filing in the fourth quarter of 2022. OPNT003 was granted Fast Track Designation in November 2021.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities, Section 21E of Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements discuss matters that are not historical facts. Because they discuss future events or conditions, forward-looking statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “may,” “seek,” “plan,” “might,” “will,” “expect,” “predict,” “project,” “forecast,” “potential,” “continue,” negatives thereof or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, are based on various underlying assumptions and current expectations about the future and are not guarantees. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievement to be materially different from the results of operations or plans expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Opiant cannot predict all of the risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, such information should not be regarded as representations that the results or conditions described in such statements or that Opiant’s objectives and plans will be achieved and we do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are found at various places throughout this press release and include information concerning possible or assumed future results of Opiant’s operations, the achievement and value of CVRs in connection with the proposed merger; business strategies; future cash flows; financing plans; plans and objectives of management, any other statements regarding future cash needs, future operations, business plans and future financial results, and any other statements that are not historical facts. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is contained in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: (1) the inability to consummate the transaction within the anticipated time period, or at all, due to any reason, including the failure to obtain stockholder approval to adopt the merger agreement, the failure to obtain required regulatory approvals or the failure to satisfy the other conditions to the consummation of the proposed merger; (2) the risk that the merger agreement may be terminated in circumstances requiring Opiant to pay a termination fee; (3) the risk that the proposed merger disrupts Opiant’s current business and financing plans and operations or diverts management’s attention from its ongoing business; (4) the effect of the announcement of the proposed merger on Opiant’s ability to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with its suppliers and others with whom it does business; (5) the effect of the announcement of the proposed merger on Opiant’s operating results and business generally; (6) the amount of costs, fees and expenses related to the proposed merger; (7) the risk that Opiant’s stock price may decline significantly if the proposed merger is not consummated; (8) the nature, cost and outcome of any litigation and other legal proceedings, including any such proceedings related to the proposed merger and instituted against Opiant and others; (9) other factors that could affect Opiant’s business such as, without limitation, our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for our products; results of clinical studies; technological breakthroughs in reversing opioid overdoses and treating patients; and delays or unplanned expenditures in product development, clinical testing or manufacturing; and (10) other risks to consummation of the proposed merger, including the risk that the proposed merger will not be consummated within the expected time period or at all.

In addition, please refer to the documents that Opiant files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. These filings identify and address other important factors that could cause Opiant’s operational and other results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements set forth in this document. You are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. Except as required by law, Opiant is not under any duty to update any of the information in this document.

Additional Information About the Acquisition and Where to Find It
This press release is being made in respect of the proposed transaction involving Opiant, Indivior Inc. and Olive Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc. A meeting of the stockholders of Opiant will be announced as promptly as practicable to seek stockholder approval in connection with the proposed transaction. Opiant expects to file with the SEC a proxy statement and other relevant documents in connection with the proposed transaction. The definitive proxy statement will be sent or given to the stockholders of Opiant and will contain important information about the proposed transaction and related matters. INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF OPIANT ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT OPIANT AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors may obtain a free copy of these materials (when they are available) and other documents filed by Opiant with the SEC at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Participants in the Solicitation
Opiant and certain of its directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in soliciting proxies from its stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be considered to be participants in the solicitation of Opiant’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction will be set forth in Opiant’s definitive proxy statement for its stockholder meeting at which the proposed transaction will be submitted for approval by Opiant’s stockholders and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. You may also find additional information about Opiant’s directors and executive officers in Opiant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 18, 2022 and in subsequently filed Current Reports on Form 8-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

For Media and Investor Inquiries:
Ben Atkins, Opiant
(310) 598-5410
batkins@opiant.com