TORONTO — Neighbourly Pharmacy Inc. has signed an agreement to be taken private by its largest shareholder in a deal that values the company at about $916 million.
Under the letter of intent, Persistence Capital Partners (PCP) has offered to pay $20.50 per share in cash for the stake in the company it does not already own.
Shares in Neighbourly, which owns a network of community pharmacies across sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, closed down 44 cents at $12.12 on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Monday.
The company says the offer, which will require shareholder approval, also represents a premium of about 21 per cent to the company's May 2021 initial public offering price of $17 per share.
PCP already owns about 22.4 million Neighbourly shares or a 50.2 per cent stake in the company.
PCP managing partner Stuart Elman says Neighbourly, as a private company, will have more flexibility and resources to pursue its strategic vision to advance the role that independent pharmacies can play in sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½.Â
"We are confident that this proposed transaction will benefit Neighbourly's customers, patients, employees, and partners, as well as provide a fair and attractive return to its public shareholders," Elman said in a statement.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 3, 2023.
Companies in this story: (TSX:NBLY)
The Canadian Press