Ascendis Health R7.3 billion acquisition of Scitec and Remedica firmly on track

NATIONAL - ONLINE, South Africa - July 12, 2016 - PRLog -- Remedica, a pharmaceutical manufacturer based in Cyprus, will be acquired for R4.4 billion (€260 million) including a deferred payment of R1.5 billion (€90 million) after 3 years. Scitec International, a leading European sports nutrition company will be acquired for R2.9 billion (€170 million) including a deferred payment of R340 million (€20 million) after 1 year.

CEO, Dr Wellner commented, "We are pleased to announce that all conditions precedent to the R1.2 billion rights offer have been fulfilled with the JSE approving the circular to shareholders and the application for the listing of the letters of allocation and the rights offer shares required to implement the rights offer. We are also excited that both the rights offer and the vendor consideration placement are well supported by investors in the form of excess irrevocable undertakings provided."

Ascendis has secured irrevocable undertakings from certain existing shareholders and new strategic investors to the total value of R2.3 billion to participate in the R1.2 billion rights offer and the subsequent R1.2 billion - R1.5 billion vendor consideration placement.

Ascendis has also entered into an underwriting agreement with Absa Bank Limited and HSBC Bank plc to underwrite any Rights Offer Shares not subscribed for pursuant to the Rights Offer.

Coast2Coast Capital Proprietary Limited, which currently directly or indirectly owns approximately 41% of the issued share capital of Ascendis, has committed to follow its rights under the rights offer, and/or successfully allocate any portion of its rights not taken up under the rights offer pursuant to back-to-back commitments, with the combined value thereof being up to R520 million.

Ascendis Health CEO Dr Karsten Wellner concluded; "This unequivocal support for the Ascendis business model across all sectors of the investment community is a clear vote of confidence in the growing value that we are adding to local and international shareholders, and confirmation of our prudent business practices to grow Ascendis into a global health and care company."

Notes to editors

Ascendis Health (JSE: ASC) is a fast growing health and care company selling a portfolio of market-leading brands for animals, plants and humans. Founded in 2008 and listed on the JSE since 2013, the group's strategy is based on organic, acquisitive and synergistic growth locally and internationally. The group is increasingly focused on internationalisation and Ascendis brands are currently exported to more than 50 countries globally. For more information, visit www.ascendis.co.za.

Remedica Holdings develops, produces and sellsgeneric pharmaceutical products. Based in Limassol, Cyprus, the business is strategically located between the European Union, the Middle East and Africa. Founded 56 years ago, Remedica supplies more than 300 products, including oncology drugs, via 2500 marketing authorisations to 100 countries globally. For more information, visit www.remedica.eu.

Scitec International is a leading sports nutrition company selling products in nearly 90 countries under the Scitec Nutrition brand. Scitec Nutrition ranks among the leading sports nutrition brands in major markets like Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Hungary and Poland, with a strong presence in the Middle East, Russia, Australia and Asia. For more information, visit www.scitecnutrition.com/en.