Astex Pharmaceuticals Announces Expiration of HSR Waiting Period for Otsuka Tender Offer

Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ASTX ("Astex"), announced today that the waiting period for U.S. antitrust review under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, relating to the previously announced acquisition of Astex by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd OTSKY, expired on Friday, October 4, 2013. Expiration of the waiting period satisfies a condition to the closing of the tender offer by Otsuka for all of the outstanding shares of Astex common stock for $8.50 per share in cash, which is scheduled to expire at 12:00 AM ET on October 10, 2013, unless extended or earlier terminated. The closing of the tender offer remains subject to other customary closing conditions, including, among others, the tender into the offer by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Astex. See full press release