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Dassault Systemes to Buy Accelrys for $750M

NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Dassault Systèmes and Accelrys today announced that they have signed a definitive merger agreement under which Dassault Systèmes will acquire the San Diego-based software company in an all-cash $750 million transaction.

Dassault Systèmes said Thursday that it will make a tender offer to acquire all the outstanding shares of Accelrys common stock for $12.50 per share. Accelrys shares closed at $9.72 in Wednesday trade on the Nasdaq.

Accelrys' board of directors has "unanimously approved the transaction," the company said. The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2014, subject to Accelrys shareholders tendering the majority of their shares, receipt of certain regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions. Dassault Systèmes will acquire any Accelrys shares that are not tendered via a merger that will be effected as soon as possible after the closing of the tender offer.

Accelrys sells software for chemistry, biology, and materials science research to customers in the biotechnology, petrochemicals, and pharmaceutical industries. Its client list includes Sanofi, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, DuPont Royal Dutch Shell, and Unilever.

Combining Accelrys' products with its own will "enrich the molecular chemistry capabilities from discovery to manufacturing and regulatory requirements of Dassault Systèmes’ formulation-based industry offerings such as life sciences, consumer packaged goods, high tech and energy, as well as advanced manufacturing industries," the companies said in a statement.

"Accelrys is convinced that joining Dassault Systèmes will deliver transformational value to our customers by combining science-based innovation with product lifecycle management," Max Carnecchia, president and CEO of Accelrys, added.