EXHIBIT 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ZONAGEN, INC. AND LAVIPHARM CORP. SIGN DEFINITIVE MERGER AGREEMENT
THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS AND EAST WINDSOR, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 30, 2002 - Zonagen,
Inc. (Nasdaq: ZONA and PCX: ZNG) and Lavipharm Corp. announced today that they
have entered into a definitive agreement to merge in a tax-free, stock-for-stock
transaction. Upon completion of the merger, Dr. Athanase Lavidas, Chairman of
Lavipharm Corp., will become the Chairman of the Board of Directors of this
merged entity. Lavipharm's executive management team will become the executive
management team of the merged company, which will be renamed, "Lavipharm
Corporation." Lavipharm Corp.'s major shareholder is Lavipharm S.A., a Greek
corporation with shares traded on the Athens Stock Exchange.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, which has been approved by the boards
of directors of Zonagen and Lavipharm, the holders of Lavipharm common stock and
Series A preferred stock together will receive an amount of shares of Zonagen
common stock that would provide them with 40% of the total shares of Zonagen
common stock outstanding following the merger. In addition, Lavipharm S.A., the
holder of Lavipharm Corp.'s Series B preferred stock, will receive 2,000,000
shares of Zonagen common stock in connection with the repayment of $10,000,000
of Lavipharm indebtedness.
Certain holders of Lavipharm common stock and Series A preferred stock will be
entitled to receive additional shares of Zonagen common stock upon the
achievement of certain earn-out milestones. Based upon the number of shares of
Zonagen common stock outstanding as of yesterday, Zonagen would issue
approximately 7.7 million shares at the closing of the merger and up to
approximately 9.6 million additional shares if all of the earn-out milestones
are achieved, which amount would result in existing Lavipharm stockholders
owning 60% of the total shares of Zonagen common stock outstanding, excluding
the 2,000,000 shares described above. Zonagen's obligation to issue earn-out
shares expires on December 31, 2003.
Zonagen's board of directors has received a fairness opinion from CIBC World
Markets Corp. in connection with the merger.
The consummation of the merger is conditioned upon customary closing conditions,
including the approval of Zonagen's stockholders.
It is anticipated that after the merger Lavipharm will focus on development of
its drug formulation and drug delivery technologies.
About Zonagen
Zonagen is engaged in the development of pharmaceutical products for the
reproductive system, including sexual dysfunction, vaccine adjuvants, products
for fertility and female health as well as urological applications, specifically
prostate cancer. For more information, visit Zonagen's web site at
http://www.zonagen.com.
About Lavipharm
Lavipharm is an innovative drug formulation and drug delivery company. Lavipharm
combines proprietary particle engineering, solubilization and formulation
technologies with its expertise in drug delivery to improve pharmaceutical and
OTC products and drug candidates developed by other companies. Lavipharm applies
its technologies to drugs in the early stage of development including small
molecules, peptides and proteins, and to drugs that are currently marketed but
have not performed to their full market potential. Lavipharm's technologies can
further enhance the value of currently marketed drugs by attempting to improve
their pharmaco-kinetic profile, and thereby potentially improving patient
compliance and/or extending patent protection. By developing creative solutions
to enhance delivery of drug molecules, Lavipharm also assists its customer base
in differentiating their products from those of the competition. By improving
existing products in less time, at a potentially lower risk of failure, and at
potentially lower costs than required to develop new chemical entities,
Lavipharm believes it can add scientific and commercial value to pharmaceutical
company products, both in the short and longer term. For more information, visit
Lavipharm's website at http://www.lavipharm.com.
Any statements that are not historical facts contained in this release, such as
approval of the transaction with Lavipharm, are forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those relating to
approval of the merger and related transactions with Lavipharm by Zonagen's
stockholders and other risks identified in Zonagen's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2001, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC). These documents are available on request from Zonagen or at
www.sec.gov. Zonagen disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
Zonagen intends to file a proxy statement and other documents regarding the
proposed merger described in this press release with the SEC. This press release
is not a substitute for such proxy statement. Investors and security holders are
urged to read the proxy statement when it becomes available, because it will
contain important information about both companies and the proposed transaction.
A definitive proxy statement will be sent to security holders of Zonagen seeking
their approval of the transaction. Investors and security holders may obtain a
free copy of the definitive proxy statement (when available) and other documents
filed by Zonagen with the SEC at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov and from
Zonagen.
Zonagen and its directors and executive officers may be considered participants
in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the merger. Information
concerning Zonagen's directors and executive officers can be found in the
documents filed with the SEC by Zonagen. Certain of Zonagen's directors and
executive officers may have direct or indirect interests in the merger due to
securities holdings, vesting of options, and rights to change of control
payments or severance payments if their employment is terminated following the
merger. In addition, directors and officers, after the merger, will be
indemnified by Zonagen, and benefit from insurance coverage, for liabilities
that may arise from their service as directors and officers of Zonagen prior to
the merger. Additional information regarding the participants in the
solicitation will be contained in the proxy statement.
Contact:
Joe Podolski, President and CEO Zsolt Lavotha, President and CEO
podolski@zonagen.com zlavotha@lavipharm.com
281-719-3447 609-448-3001