Simpson Thacher is representing ZS Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZSPH) in connection with its sale to AstraZeneca for approximately $2.7 billion in cash. Subject to customary conditions, including the tender of a majority of the outstanding ZS Pharma shares and the expiration or earlier termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, the transaction is expected to close by the end of 2015.
ZS Pharma, founded in 2008, is a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company dedicated to challenging the status quo in disease states where therapeutic options have been limited. The company has been focused on using its proprietary ion-trap technology to develop new treatments of kidney and liver diseases that are focused on addressing unmet needs in the medical community. AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, inflammation, autoimmune, oncology, infection and neuroscience diseases. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.
The Simpson Thacher team includes Kevin Kennedy, Kirsten Jensen, Simon Chiu and Colin Lloyd (Corporate); Tristan Brown, Thomas Asmar and Leah Segall (Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits); Noah Metz (Tax); and Noah Leibowitz and Genevieve Dorment (Intellectual Property).