Valeant in takeover fight for Salix after Endo bid

Montreal's Valeant Pharmaceuticals faced another takeover fight after Endo International submitted a higher bid for drugmaker Salix Pharmaceuticals.

Endo said its cash-and-stock offer valued at $175 US per share is worth about 11 per cent more than the $158 USper share Salix agreed to from Valeant.

It called its offer a "superior proposal" that will deliver a substantial premium and opportunity for Salixshareholders to gain from taking a large equity stake in a specialty pharmaceutical company positioned for growth.

Endo said the transaction could close in the second quarter. The company said it is confident of obtaining regulatory and shareholder approvals.

"We are firmly committed to our all-cash agreed transaction, which delivers immediate and certain value to Salix shareholders," a company spokesman wrote in an email.

Valeant stands to gain $406 million US in break fees and expenses if Endo ultimately triumphs.

Close was set for April 1

The tender offer is scheduled to expire at the end of the day on March 31, 2015, and Valeant expects to be in the position to close the transaction on April 1, 2015 the largest deal in its history. It follows the $400-million acquisition of oncology drugmaker Dendreon.

They are the first major transactions since Valeant came up short in its hostile bid last year for Botox maker Allergan, which was eventually acquired by Actavis. Despite failing to acquire Allergan, Valeant pocketed a net gain of $287 million after selling its shares in Allergan.

Treatment for irritable bowel syndrome

Valeant expects Salix will contribute modestly to its 2015 cash earnings per share, but projects a 20 per cent boost in 2016. The company is banking on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granting approval for Xifaxan, a new Salix drug to treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea.

Analysts said the Salix deal was positive for Valeant by adding another specialty area that will eventually boost earnings.

But Vicki Bryan of Gimme Credit said Valeant might be stretched to meet Endo's "very credible offer."

"Endo is offering Salix shareholders a tidy US$45 per share in cash plus 74 per cent ownership in a combined company that (would have) significantly lower leverage versus Valeant and potentially higher profit margins."