Glimpses
NIKON BUYS OPTOS
The boards of directors of Nikon
Corporation ("Nikon") and Optos
Plc ("Optos") are pleased to
announce that they have agreed the
terms of a recommended cash offer
to be made by Nikon for the entire
issued and to be issued share
capital of Optos.
The Transaction values the entire
issued and to be issued share capital
of Optos at approximately £259.3
million and represents a premium
of approximately: 30.5 per cent. to
the Closing Price of 260.5 pence per
Optos Share on 26 February 2015
(being the last Business Day prior
to the date of this announcement);
and 39.0 per cent. to the volume
weighted average Closing Price of
244.6 pence per Optos Share, for the
three month period to 26 February
2015 (being the last Business Day
prior to the date of this
announcement).
During this period, our share price
and financial results have shown
material improvement and Optos is
now well placed for further growth.
Following the Transaction, Optos
will become a key part of Nikon's
future strategy to develop a global
medical business and will continue
to provide its market leading
solutions to the patients we serve.
We are therefore pleased to
recommend this acquisition to
our shareholders."
Commenting on the Transaction,
Kazuo Ushida, President of Nikon,
said: "I am pleased to announce this
strategically important transaction
for Optos and Nikon. I am confident
that an Optos/Nikon combination
would create a world class "retina"
player and would significantly
benefit our respective stakeholders.
Together, we will pursue various
collaboration opportunities and
further expand the medical
business in the future."
Commenting on the Transaction,
Dr. Peter Fellner, Chairman of
Optos, said: "Under the leadership
of Roy Davis and the management
team, Optos has successfully
established itself as a global leader
in retinal imaging supported by
the introduction of innovative new
products such as the Daytona.
Optical Prism | April 2015 41