Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Monday February 27, 2012

The following are the M&A deals, rumors and chatter circulating on Wall Street for Monday February 27, 2012: Tibet Pharmaceuticals Announces Intent to Go Private The Offer:
Tibet Pharmaceuticals TBET, announced Monday that: "In recent days, we noticed that a website mentioned about auctioning our operating entity's assets. These were untrue and incorrect announcements. Our company is in normal business operation. We're conducting our investigation on this mistaken report, and will keep our investors informed on the investigation result," said Mr. Hong Yu, CEO and Chairman of Tibet Pharmaceuticals. "The Company will take all necessary legal measures to defend itself against any untrue reports and to protect the interests of shareholders." The Company also announced its intent to accept a "going private" proposal by Mr. Hong Yu, and cease its public company status. "In view of market bias towards Chinese companies listed in U.S. stock exchange and our past stock performance, I hereby make an offer to purchase TBET stocks not owned by me for $3.00 per share in cash,"said Mr. Hong Yu, "delisting details will be announced shortly". Tibet Pharmaceuticals closed at $1.50 Monday, a gain of 108% on 190 times the average daily volume. Crestwood Midstream Partners and Crestwood Holdings to Acquire Antero Resources' Marcellus Shale Gathering Assets for $375M The Deal:
Crestwood Midstream Partners CMLP and Antero Resources Appalachian Corporation announced Monday the execution of definitive agreements whereby CMLP and Crestwood Holdings, through a newly formed joint venture, have agreed to acquire certain of Antero's Marcellus Shale gathering system assets located in Harrison and Doddridge Counties, West Virginia for $375 million in cash plus an earn-out which would allow Antero to earn additional purchase price payments of up to $40 million based upon average annual production levels achieved during 2012 and 2013. Additionally, at closing, the parties have agreed to enter into a 20-year gas gathering and compression agreement, which will provide for an Area of Dedication of approximately 127,000 gross acres, or 104,000 net acres, largely located in the rich gas window of the southwestern core of the Marcellus Shale play. The transaction will have a January 1, 2012 effective date and is expected to close in March 2012, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Crestwood Midstream Partners closed at $29.21 Monday, a gain of 0.97% for the day on 70% of the average daily volume. Pfizer Acquires Alacer Corp The Deal:
Pfizer PFE announced Monday the acquisition of privately-held Alacer Corp. Based in Foothill Ranch, California, Alacer is well-known among health-conscious consumers as a provider of Vitamin C supplement products. It produces almost 500 million packets of Emergen-C annually, and its products are sold in health food stores, supermarkets, drug stores, mass merchandisers and club stores nationwide. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Lazard acted as financial advisor to Pfizer, and DLA Piper acted as legal advisor to Pfizer, in connection with the acquisition. Pfizer closed at $21.26 Monday, a gain of 0.38% for the day on 85% of average volume. Hearing Bristol-Myers Squibb Raises Offer for Vertex Pharmaceuticals The Rumor:
Hearing chatter that Bristol-Myers Squibb BMY is raising its offer to acquire Vertex Pharmaceuticals VRTX to $57 per share, according to sources. The previous offer was rumored to be $50. Spokespersons for Bristol-Meyers and Vertex could not be reached for comment, though both had previously declined comment. Vertex Pharmaceuticals closed at $38.69 Monday, a gain of 0.78% for the day on 69% of the average daily volume.