Cephalon Up 27% After Receving Offer (VRX, CEPH)

Cephalon, Inc. CEPH shares are spiking more than 27% after the company received a takeover offer from Valeant Pharmaceuticals VRX for $73 per share in cash. Shares are currently trading at $75, $2 above the offer price. "We have taken a close look at Cephalon's business and believe we put forward a very compelling offer for Cephalon's stockholders," stated J. Michael Pearson, chairman and chief executive officer. "We are also committed to trying to find additional value if we are allowed to conduct due diligence. Given the importance of this transaction proposal to shareholders of both companies, and given that Cephalon's management continues to pursue strategies that in our view reduce the value of a merged entity, we have decided to make our proposal public. We believe this will enable the Cephalon stockholders to determine for themselves whether their board and management should engage with Valeant in a meaningful and productive dialogue regarding our proposal." Mr. Pearson continued, "To be clear, we intend to be disciplined on price as we believe we have submitted a full and fair offer for Cephalon based on the information available to us. If our offer does not have the requisite support of Cephalon's stockholders, we will focus our attention on other opportunities to invest our capital." Here is the press release in its entirety.