Menlo Therapeutics & Foamix Pharmaceuticals Complete Merger


Menlo Therapeutics Inc. recently announced the completion of its merger with Foamix Pharmaceuticals Ltd.  following the satisfaction of all closing conditions required by the merger agreement.

Upon completion of the merger, pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, Foamix became a wholly owned subsidiary of Menlo. Under the terms of the merger, Foamix shareholders received 0.5924 of a share of Menlo common stock for each Foamix share owned, as well as a non-transferrable contingent stock right. These contingent stock rights potentially allow Foamix shareholders to receive additional shares of Menlo common stock based on the results of Menlo’s Phase 3 trials of serlopitant for the treatment of pruritus associated with prurigo nodularis, as more fully described in the companies’ joint proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4. Foamix ordinary shares ceased trading as of the close of trading on March 6, 2020. On March 9, 2020, newly issued Menlo shares will commence trading under the ticker MNLO on Nasdaq.

“This is an exciting day as we take a significant step toward becoming a broad dermatology franchise. The combined company already has an approved, commercial-stage product, AMZEEQ, and several late-stage product candidates with several meaningful near-term catalysts,” said David Domzalski, who became the Chief Executive Officer of Menlo upon the closing of the merger. “I am excited about the opportunities ahead for the combined company as we work towards improving the lives of patients with a differentiated and innovative product pipeline.”

Since announcing the transaction on November 11, 2019, the company achieved a major milestone with the launch of its first product, AMZEEQ for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of non-nodular moderate to severe acne vulgaris in adults and pediatric patients 9 years of age and older. “We are encouraged by the initial performance and activities in support of the launch of AMZEEQ,” continued Mr. Domzalski. In the coming weeks, the company anticipates announcing the results of its Phase 3 clinical trials of serlopitant for the treatment of pruritus associated with prurigo nodularis. Additionally, the company expects to announce the results of its Phase 2 clinical trial for FCD105 (minocycline 3% and adapalene 0.3% foam) for the treatment of acne in the second quarter of 2020. The company has also taken meaningful steps towards facilitating a successful integration and capitalizing on expected cost synergies.

Effective upon the closing of the merger, Foamix’s management team will manage the Company, led by David Domzalski as Chief Executive Officer.

As part of the transaction, Foamix has designated five of its pre-closing directors, David Domzalski, Sharon Barbari, Rex Bright, Anthony Bruno and Stanley Hirsch to serve as members of the Menlo Board of Directors. Menlo has designated two of its pre-closing directors, Steve Basta, Menlo’s Chief Executive Officer prior to the consummation of the merger, and Elisabeth Sandoval, to be directors of the Company following the merger.

Barclays acted as exclusive financial advisor to Foamix. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP and Meitar | Law Offices acted as Foamix’s legal counsel in connection with the transaction. Guggenheim Securities, LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Menlo. Latham & Watkins LLP and Herzog, Fox & Neeman acted as Menlo’s legal counsel in connection with the transaction.

Menlo Therapeutics Inc. is a different type of biopharmaceutical company working to solve some of today’s most difficult therapeutic challenges in dermatology and beyond.

With expertise in topical medicine innovation as a springboard, the company is working to develop and commercialize a variety of solutions using its proprietary Molecule Stabilizing Technology (MST), and has received FDA approval for the world’s first topical minocycline, AMZEEQ. In addition, the company is focused on the development of serlopitant, a once-daily oral NK1 receptor antagonist, as a novel potential treatment option for pruritus associated with prurigo nodularis.

Menlo uses its website as a channel to distribute information about Menlo and its products and product candidates from time to time. Menlo may use its website to comply with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Therefore, investors should monitor Menlo’s website in addition to following its press releases, filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, public conference calls, and webcasts. For more information, visit www.menlotherapeutics.com.