Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) announced today that it has appointed Robert J. Bertolini, Matthew W. Emmens and Theodore R. Samuelsto its Board of Directors, effective immediately. In connection with these appointments, the Board will temporarily expand to 14 directors until the 2017 Annual Meeting, to be held on May 2, 2017. Only 11 directors will stand for election at the meeting. Bristol-Myers Squibb also announced that it has entered into an accelerated share repurchase ("ASR") program to repurchase, in aggregate, $2 billion of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s common stock.
Giovanni Caforio, M.D., chief executive officer of Bristol-Myers Squibb, said: "Bristol-Myers Squibb continues to take decisive action to best position the company for growth driven by our leading portfolio of Immuno-Oncology medicines, including Opdivo, and by an exciting diversified portfolio of medicines such as Eliquis and Orencia. We are committed to advancing the promising opportunities represented by our portfolio and pipeline in oncology as well as continuing our efforts to diversify through promising pipeline agents in heart failure, immunoscience and fibrosis. Our new directors add important experience and skills managing large businesses and operations, broaden our overall expertise in the pharmaceutical sector and more broadly in capital markets, and complement extremely well the existing skills on our Board. We look forward to working with them to advance our business strategy.
"In addition, the decision to implement an accelerated share repurchase program demonstrates our focus on enhancing shareholder returns as we continue to capitalize on our long-term opportunities," Caforio continued.
"I am pleased to welcome Bob, Matt and Ted to the Board, and know that their unique skill sets and experience will be invaluable to the company going forward," said Lamberto Andreotti, chairman of the Board. "As I announced in December, I will be retiring as chairman, effective May 2, 2017. I am happy to be leaving with such a strong Board in place and am confident Bristol-Myers Squibb has a bright future."
Bristol-Myers Squibb noted that, since JANA Partners LLC ("JANA") became a Bristol-Myers Squibb shareholder in the fourth quarter of 2016, members of the Board and management have engaged in discussions with representatives of JANA to better understand their views. Today’s Board appointments follow discussions between the two parties regarding the Board.
"These three new independent directors will add valuable industry knowledge and fresh perspectives to the Board, and shareholders stand to reap a substantial benefit from the company's sizable investment in its undervalued shares," said Barry Rosenstein, founder and managing partner of JANA. "These are two very positive developments for all Bristol-Myers Squibb shareholders."
Togo D. West, Jr., the board's lead independent director, said, "Bristol Myers-Squibb benefits from a strong Board that comprises leaders who have diverse expertise relevant to the company's strategy and mission. We welcome Bob, Matt and Ted to the Board and look forward to their contributions."
"Bristol-Myers Squibb is widely regarded as an innovator and a leader with a strong portfolio of assets that will help drive value for shareholders," said Samuels. "I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board to continue advancing the company's important mission."
"I am honored to join the Bristol-Myers Squibb Board and to work alongside some of the great minds in science and medicine," said Emmens. "With a diverse portfolio and a strong pipeline, I am confident that Bristol-Myers Squibb will continue to find solutions for patients with high unmet medical needs."
"I am pleased to be joining the Board during a period of innovation and scientific discovery," said Bertolini. "I look forward to joining my fellow directors and the management team in helping Bristol-Myers Squibb with the compelling opportunities ahead."
Accelerated Share Repurchase
Bristol-Myers Squibb has entered into an ASR program with each of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Goldman, Sachs & Co. to repurchase, in aggregate, $2 billion of Bristol-Myers S...
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