As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on September 13, 2023
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Revolution Medicines, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 2836 | 47-2029180 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
700 Saginaw Drive
Redwood City, California 94063
(650) 481-6801
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrants principal executive offices)
Mark A. Goldsmith, M.D., Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Revolution Medicines, Inc.
700 Saginaw Drive
Redwood City, California 94063
(650) 481-6801
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
With a copy to:
Mark V. Roeder Joshua M. Dubofsky Ian Nussbaum John C. Williams Latham & Watkins LLP 140 Scott Drive Menlo Park, California 94025 (650) 328-4600 |
Jeff Cislini General Counsel Revolution Medicines, Inc. 700 Saginaw Drive Redwood City, California 94063 (650) 481-6801 |
Dina Ciarimboli General Counsel EQRx, Inc. 50 Hampshire Street Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141 (617) 315-2255 |
Stuart M. Cable Lisa R. Haddad Andrew H. Goodman Tevia K. Pollard Goodwin Procter LLP 100 Northern Avenue Boston, MA 02110 (617) 570-1055 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public: As soon as practicable after this registration statement is declared effective and upon completion of the mergers described in the enclosed joint proxy statement/prospectus.
If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, and emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:
Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer) ☐
Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer) ☐
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to the securities described in the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be issued until the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. The accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARYSUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 13, 2023
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MERGER AND SHARE ISSUANCE PROPOSALSYOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT
Dear Stockholders:
On July 31, 2023, Revolution Medicines, Inc., which is referred to as Revolution Medicines, EQRx, Inc., which is referred to as EQRx, Equinox Merger Sub, Inc., a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines, which is referred to as Merger Sub I, and Equinox Merger Sub II LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines, which is referred to as Merger Sub II, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, as it may be amended from time to time, which is referred to as the merger agreement, for the acquisition of EQRx by Revolution Medicines. Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, Merger Sub I will merge with and into EQRx, which transaction is referred to as the first merger, with EQRx surviving the first merger as a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines, and as soon as practicable after the first merger and as the second step in a single integrated transaction with the first merger, EQRx will merge with and into Merger Sub II, which transaction is referred to as the second merger, with Merger Sub II surviving as a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines. The first merger and the second merger together are referred to as the mergers.
Upon successful completion of the first merger, referred to as the effective time, each issued and outstanding share of EQRx common stock as of immediately prior to the completion of the first merger (other than the shares that are held by EQRx in treasury or shares owned by EQRx, Revolution Medicines, Merger Sub I or Merger Sub II or any wholly owned subsidiary thereof) will be converted into the right to receive a number of validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Revolution Medicines common stock equal to an exchange ratio determined by dividing (i) the aggregate number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued as merger consideration (as described below) by (ii) the number of shares of EQRx common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time, determined in accordance with the merger agreement, and cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Revolution Medicines common stock any former holder of EQRx common stock would otherwise be entitled to receive. The exchange ratio numerator (i.e., the aggregate number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued as merger consideration) will equal the sum (rounded to the nearest whole share) of (i) 7,692,308 shares of Revolution Medicines common stock plus (ii) an additional number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock, which will be determined prior to the special meeting of EQRx stockholders, referred to as the EQRx special meeting, by dividing (a) $870,000,000 by (b) (1) the daily volume weighted average closing price of one share of Revolution Medicines common stock, for each of the five consecutive trading days ending on and including the date that is the sixth business day prior to the EQRx special meeting date, which is referred to as the pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP, multiplied by (2) 0.94. Upon completion of the mergers, Revolution Medicines stockholders will continue to own their existing Revolution Medicines shares. Revolution Medicines common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol RVMD and EQRx common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol EQRX.
For illustrative purposes only, we have provided the below assumptions and sensitivity analysis to inform your decision. Assuming (1) a pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP of [ ], which reflects the five-day trading volume weighted average price per share of Revolution Medicines common stock calculated five trading days prior to [ ], 2023, the last trading day before [ ], 2023, and (2) the number of shares of EQRx common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time, estimated in accordance with the merger agreement as of [ ], 2023, is [ ], the exchange ratio would equal [ ].
Assuming (1) a pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP of [ ], which reflects a $[ ] increase in the five-day trading volume weighted average price per share of Revolution Medicines common stock calculated five trading days prior to [ ], 2023, the last trading day before [ ], 2023, and (2) the number of shares of EQRx common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time, estimated in accordance with the merger agreement as of [ ], 2023, is [ ], the exchange ratio would equal [ ]. Assuming (1) a pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP of [ ], which reflects a $[ ] decrease in the five-day trading volume weighted average price per share of Revolution Medicines common stock calculated five trading days prior to [ ], 2023, the last trading day before [ ], 2023, and (2) the number of
shares of EQRx common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time, estimated in accordance with the merger agreement as of [ ], 2023, is [ ], the exchange ratio would equal [ ].
Revolution Medicines and EQRx will each hold special meetings of their respective stockholders in connection with the proposed mergers, which are referred to as the Revolution Medicines special meeting and the EQRx special meeting, respectively.
At the Revolution Medicines special meeting, Revolution Medicines stockholders will be asked to consider and vote on (1) a proposal to approve the issuance of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to EQRx equityholders pursuant to the merger agreement, which proposal is referred to as the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and (2) a proposal to adjourn the Revolution Medicines special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Revolution Medicines special meeting to approve the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal. The board of directors of Revolution Medicines recommends that Revolution Medicines stockholders vote FOR each of the proposals to be considered at the Revolution Medicines special meeting.
At the EQRx special meeting, EQRx stockholders will be asked to consider and vote on (1) a proposal to adopt the merger agreement, which is referred to as the EQRx merger agreement proposal, (2) a proposal to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation that will or may be payable to EQRxs named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and (3) a proposal to adjourn the EQRx special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the EQRx special meeting to adopt the EQRx merger agreement proposal. The board of directors of EQRx recommends that EQRx stockholders vote FOR each of the proposals to be considered at the EQRx special meeting.
The merger agreement requires, as a condition to closing of the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, that Revolution Medicines stockholders approve the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and that EQRx stockholders approve the EQRx merger agreement proposal. Your vote on these matters, as well as other proposals, is very important, regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you plan to attend your respective special meeting electronically, please promptly mark, sign and date the accompanying proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope or authorize the individuals named on your proxy card to vote your shares by calling the toll-free telephone number or by voting online as described in the instructions included with your proxy card.
The accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus provides you with important information about the special meetings, the mergers, and each of the proposals. We encourage you to read the entire document carefully, in particular the Risk Factors section beginning on page 37 of the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus for a discussion of risks relevant to the mergers.
We look forward to the successful completion of the mergers.
Sincerely,
Mark A. Goldsmith, M.D., Ph.D. Chair of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President Revolution Medicines, Inc. |
Melanie Nallicheri President, Chief Executive Officer and Director EQRx, Inc. |
Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the mergers or the Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued in the mergers or determined if the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus is dated as of, and is first being mailed to the stockholders of Revolution Medicines and EQRx on or about, [●], 2023.
700 Saginaw Drive
Redwood City, California 94063
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF REVOLUTION MEDICINES, INC.
TO BE HELD ON [●], 2023
To the Stockholders of Revolution Medicines, Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Revolution Medicines, Inc., which is referred to as Revolution Medicines, will hold a completely virtual special meeting of its stockholders, which is referred to as the Revolution Medicines special meeting, at the Revolution Medicines special meeting website, at [●], on [●], 2023, beginning at [●], Pacific Time, for the purpose of considering and voting on the following proposals:
(1) to approve the issuance of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock (including securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of Revolution Medicines common stock) to certain equityholders of EQRx, Inc., which is referred to as EQRx, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 31, 2023 (as it may be amended from time to time), by and among Revolution Medicines, Equinox Merger Sub I, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines, Equinox Merger Sub II LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines, and EQRx, which is referred to as the merger agreement, a copy of which is included as Annex A to the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus, which proposal is referred to as the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal; and
(2) to approve the adjournment of the Revolution Medicines special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Revolution Medicines special meeting to approve the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal, which proposal is referred to as the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal.
Revolution Medicines will transact no other business at the Revolution Medicines special meeting. The accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the merger agreement attached thereto as Annex A, contains further information with respect to these matters.
Only holders of record of Revolution Medicines common stock at the close of business on [●], 2023, the record date for notice of and voting at the Revolution Medicines special meeting, which is referred to as the Revolution Medicines record date, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Revolution Medicines special meeting.
The board of directors of Revolution Medicines, which is referred to as the Revolution Medicines board of directors, has approved and declared advisable the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement. The Revolution Medicines board of directors recommends that Revolution Medicines stockholders vote FOR the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and FOR the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal.
Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock you own. The merger agreement requires, as a condition to closing of the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, that Revolution Medicines stockholders approve the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal. Assuming a quorum is present, the approval of the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the votes cast at the Revolution Medicines special meeting on the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal.
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A complete list of Revolution Medicines stockholders as of the Revolution Medicines record date will be open to the examination of any Revolution Medicines stockholder at Revolution Medicines principal executive offices at 700 Saginaw Drive, Redwood City, California 94063 for a period of 10 days prior to the Revolution Medicines special meeting. This list of stockholders will also be available on the bottom panel of your screen during the meeting after entering the 16-digit control number included on the proxy card that you received, or on the materials provided by your bank or broker.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Revolution Medicines special meeting electronically, Revolution Medicines urges you to please promptly mark, sign and date the accompanying proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope, call the toll-free telephone number or vote online as described in the instructions included with the proxy card, so that your shares may be represented and voted at the Revolution Medicines special meeting. To participate electronically in the Revolution Medicines special meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or on the voting instruction form that accompanied your proxy materials. The meeting webcast will begin promptly at [●], Pacific Time. If your shares are held in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee, you will receive instructions on how to vote from the bank or broker. You must follow their instructions in order for your shares to be voted. Internet and telephone voting also may be offered to stockholders owning shares through certain banks and brokers. If your shares are not registered in your own name and you would like to vote your shares at the Revolution Medicines special meeting, you may visit [●] and enter the 16-digit control number included in the voting instruction form provided to you by your bank or brokerage firm. If you hold your shares in street name and you do not receive a 16-digit control number, you may need to log in to your bank or brokerage firms website and select the shareholder communications mailbox to access the meeting and vote. Instructions should also be provided on the voting instruction form provided by your bank or brokerage firm. The use of video, still photography or audio recording at the Revolution Medicines special meeting is not permitted. If you have any questions about the mergers or how to vote or direct a vote in respect of your shares of Revolution Medicines common stock, you may contact our proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali LLC, at (800) 662-5200 (toll-free in North America) or (203) 658-9400 or by email at RVMD@info.morrowsodali.com.
By Order of the Board of Directors of Revolution Medicines, Inc.
Mark A. Goldsmith, M.D., Ph.D. Chair of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
Redwood City, California [●], 2023 |
Your vote is important. Revolution Medicines stockholders are requested to complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States, or to submit a proxy to vote your shares electronically through the Internet or by telephone.
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50 Hampshire Street
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141
(617) 315-2255
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF EQRX, INC.
TO BE HELD ON [ ⚫ ], 2023
To the Stockholders of EQRx, Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that EQRx, Inc., which is referred to as EQRx, will hold a completely virtual special meeting of its stockholders, which is referred to as the EQRx special meeting, at the EQRx special meeting website, at [●], on [●], 2023, beginning at [●], Eastern Time, for the purpose of considering and voting on the following proposals:
(1) to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 31, 2023 (as it may be amended from time to time), by and among EQRx, Revolution Medicines, Inc., referred to as Revolution Medicines, Equinox Merger Sub I, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines, and Equinox Merger Sub II LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines, which is referred to as the merger agreement, a copy of which is included as Annex A to the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus, which proposal is referred to as the EQRx merger agreement proposal;
(2) to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation that will or may be payable to EQRxs named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, which proposal is referred to as the EQRx compensation proposal; and
(3) to approve the adjournment of the EQRx special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the EQRx special meeting to approve the EQRx merger agreement proposal, which proposal is referred to as the EQRx adjournment proposal.
EQRx will transact no other business at the EQRx special meeting. The accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the merger agreement attached thereto as Annex A, contains further information with respect to these matters.
Only holders of record of EQRx common stock at the close of business on [●], 2023, the record date for notice of and voting at the EQRx special meeting, which is referred to as the EQRx record date, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the EQRx special meeting.
The board of directors of EQRx, which is referred to as the EQRx board of directors, has determined that the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, EQRx and its stockholders, and approved and declared advisable the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. The EQRx board of directors recommends that EQRx stockholders vote FOR the EQRx merger agreement proposal, FOR the EQRx compensation proposal and FOR the EQRx adjournment proposal.
Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares of EQRx common stock you own. The merger agreement requires, as a condition to closing of the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, that EQRx stockholders approve the EQRx merger agreement proposal. Assuming a quorum is present at the EQRx special meeting, the approval of the EQRx merger agreement proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of EQRx common stock entitled to vote at the EQRx special meeting on the EQRx merger agreement proposal.
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A complete list of EQRx stockholders as of the EQRx record date will be open to the examination of any EQRx stockholder at EQRxs principal executive offices at 50 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141 for a period of 10 days prior to the EQRx special meeting.
Whether or not you plan to attend the EQRx special meeting electronically, EQRx urges you to please promptly mark, sign and date the accompanying proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope, call the toll-free telephone number or use the Internet as described in the instructions included with the proxy card, so that your shares may be represented and voted at the EQRx special meeting. To participate electronically in the EQRx special meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. The meeting webcast will begin promptly at [●], Eastern Time. If your shares are held in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee, you will receive instructions on how to vote from the bank or broker. You must follow their instructions in order for your shares to be voted. Internet and telephone voting also may be offered to stockholders owning shares through certain banks and brokers. If your shares are not registered in your own name and you would like to vote your shares at the EQRx special meeting, you may visit [●] and enter the 16-digit control number included in the voting instruction form provided to you by your bank or brokerage firm. If you hold your shares in street name and you do not receive a 16-digit control number, you may need to log in to your bank or brokerage firms website and select the shareholder communications mailbox to access the meeting and vote. Instructions should also be provided on the voting instruction form provided by your bank or brokerage firm. The use of video, still photography or audio recording at the EQRx special meeting is not permitted. If you have any questions about the mergers or how to vote or direct a vote in respect of your shares of EQRx common stock, you may contact our proxy solicitor, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., at 1-800-322-2885 toll free in North America, or at 1-212-929-5500 outside of North America or by e-mail at proxy@mackenziepartners.com.
By Order of the Board of Directors of EQRx, Inc.
Melanie Nallicheri President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Cambridge, Massachusetts [●], 2023 |
Your vote is important. EQRx stockholders are requested to complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States, or to submit a proxy to vote your shares electronically through the Internet or by telephone.
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REFERENCES TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This joint proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about Revolution Medicines, Inc., which is referred to as Revolution Medicines, and EQRx, Inc., which is referred to as EQRx, from other documents that Revolution Medicines and EQRx have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which is referred to as the SEC, and that are contained in or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. For a listing of documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus, please see the section titled Where You Can Find More Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. This information is available for you free of charge to review through the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
Any person may request a copy of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and any of the documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus or other information concerning Revolution Medicines or EQRx, without charge, by written or telephonic request directed to the appropriate company or its proxy solicitor at the following contacts:
For Revolution Medicines stockholders: Revolution Medicines, Inc. 700 Saginaw Drive Redwood City, California 94063 Attention: Secretary |
For EQRx stockholders: EQRx, Inc. 50 Hampshire Street Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141 (617) 315-2255 Attention: Corporate Secretary | |
Morrow Sodali LLC 509 Madison Avenue 12th Floor New York, New York 10022 Email: RVMD@info.morrowsodali.com |
MacKenzie Partners, Inc. 1407 Broadway, 27th Floor New York, New York 10018 Email: proxy@mackenziepartners.com Call Toll-Free: 1-800-322-2885 |
In order for you to receive timely delivery of the documents in advance of the special meeting of Revolution Medicines stockholders to be held on [●], 2023, which is referred to as the Revolution Medicines special meeting, or the special meeting of EQRx stockholders to be held on [●], 2023, which is referred to as the EQRx special meeting, as applicable, you must request the information no later than seven calendar days prior to the applicable special meeting.
The contents of the websites of the SEC, Revolution Medicines, EQRx or any other entity are not being incorporated into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The information about how you can obtain certain documents that are incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus at these websites is being provided only for your convenience.
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ABOUT THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
This document, which forms part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC by Revolution Medicines, constitutes a prospectus of Revolution Medicines under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which is referred to as the Securities Act, with respect to the shares of common stock of Revolution Medicines to be issued to EQRx equityholders pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 31, 2023 (as it may be amended from time to time), by and among Revolution Medicines, EQRx, Merger Sub I and Merger Sub II, which is referred to as the merger agreement. This document also constitutes a joint proxy statement of Revolution Medicines and EQRx under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which is referred to as the Exchange Act. It also constitutes a notice of meeting with respect to the Revolution Medicines special meeting and a notice of meeting with respect to the EQRx special meeting.
Revolution Medicines has supplied all information contained or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus relating to Revolution Medicines, and EQRx has supplied all such information relating to EQRx. Revolution Medicines and EQRx have both contributed to the information related to the mergers contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Revolution Medicines and EQRx have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from that contained in or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. This joint proxy statement/prospectus is dated [●], 2023, and you should not assume that the information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any date other than such date unless otherwise specifically provided herein.
Further, you should not assume that the information incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of the incorporated document. Neither the mailing of this joint proxy statement/prospectus to Revolution Medicines stockholders or EQRx stockholders nor the issuance by Revolution Medicines of shares of its common stock pursuant to the merger agreement will create any implication to the contrary.
This joint proxy statement/prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, when used in this joint proxy statement/prospectus:
| business day refers to any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close; |
| Code refers to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; |
| DGCL refers to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended; |
| DLLCA refers to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as amended; |
| earn-out RSUs refers to EQRx RSUs that were granted in connection with the EQRx DeSPAC that would have been eligible to vest if certain stock price targets had been achieved; |
| earn-out waiver and release agreement refers to the Waiver and Release, dated July 31, 2023, by and among EQRx, Inc., EQRx International, Inc., and each Waiving Stockholder, as defined therein; |
| effective time refers to the date and time when the first merger becomes effective under the DGCL, which will be the time of the filing of the certificate of merger with respect to the first merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or such later time as may be designated jointly by Revolution Medicines and EQRx and specified in the first certificate of merger; |
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| end date refers to 12:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on January 31, 2024; |
| EQRx refers to EQRx, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which was known as CM Life Sciences III Inc. prior to consummation of the EQRx DeSPAC; |
| EQRx adjournment proposal refers to the proposal for EQRx stockholders to approve the adjournment of the EQRx special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the EQRx special meeting to approve the EQRx merger agreement proposal; |
| EQRx board of directors refers to the board of directors of EQRx; |
| EQRx board recommendation refers to the recommendation of the EQRx board of directors that EQRx stockholders vote to adopt the EQRx merger agreement; |
| EQRx by-laws refers to the amended and restated by-laws of EQRx; |
| EQRx charter refers to the second amended and restated certificate of incorporation of EQRx; |
| EQRx common stock refers to the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of EQRx; |
| EQRx compensation proposal refers to the proposal for EQRx stockholders to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation that will or may be payable to EQRxs named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; |
| EQRx DeSPAC refers to the transactions completed on December 2, 2021, pursuant to which Legacy EQRx merged with a subsidiary of CM Life Sciences III Inc.; |
| EQRx ESPP refers to the EQRx, Inc. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan; |
| EQRx merger agreement proposal refers to the proposal for EQRx Stockholders to adopt the Merger Agreement; |
| EQRx option refers to an option to purchase EQRx common stock; |
| EQRx record date refers to [●], 2023; |
| EQRx restricted stock refers to EQRx common stock that is subject to vesting; |
| EQRx RSU refers to a restricted stock unit granted by EQRx, each of which constitutes the right to be issued a share of EQRx common stock after vesting; |
| EQRx special meeting refers to the special meeting of EQRx stockholders to consider and vote upon the EQRx merger agreement proposal, the EQRx compensation proposal and the EQRx adjournment proposal; |
| EQRx stockholders refers to holders of EQRx common stock; |
| EQRx supporting stockholders refers to certain EQRx directors, executive officers and significant stockholders of EQRx who entered into an EQRx voting agreement with Revolution Medicines; |
| EQRx transaction committee refers to the transaction committee of the EQRx board of directors; |
| EQRx voting agreement refers to the voting agreement entered into by Revolution Medicines and the EQRx supporting stockholders; |
| EQRx warrant refers to each outstanding and unexercised warrant to purchase shares of EQRx common stock; |
| Exchange Act refers to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; |
| Exchange Agent refers to [●]; |
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| exchange ratio refers the ratio determined by dividing (i) the aggregate number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued as merger consideration (as described below) by (ii) the number of shares of EQRx common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time, determined in accordance with the merger agreement, with the exchange ratio numerator (i.e., the aggregate number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued as merger consideration) to be equal to the sum (rounded to the nearest whole share) of (i) 7,692,308 shares of Revolution Medicines common stock plus (ii) an additional number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock, which will be determined prior to the EQRx special meeting, by dividing (a) $870,000,000 by (b) (1) the daily volume weighted average closing price of one share of Revolution Medicines common stock, for each of the five consecutive trading days ending on and including the date that is the sixth business day prior to the EQRx special meeting date, multiplied by (2) 0.94; |
| excluded EQRx shares refers to (i) any shares of EQRx common stock owned by any wholly owned subsidiary of EQRx immediately prior to the effective time (or held in EQRxs treasury) or (ii) any shares of EQRx common stock owned by Revolution Medicines, Merger Sub I, Merger Sub II or any other wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines immediately prior to effective time; |
| first merger refers to the merger of Merger Sub I with and into EQRx, with EQRx as the surviving corporation in the merger and continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines; |
| GAAP refers to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; |
| Goldman Sachs refers to Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, financial advisor to EQRx in connection with the merger; |
| Guggenheim refers to Guggenheim Securities, LLC, financial advisor to Revolution Medicines in connection with the merger; |
| HSR Act refers to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended; |
| in-the-money EQRx option refers to an EQRx option that has an exercise price per share that is less than the product (rounded down to the nearest whole cent) of the pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP multiplied by the exchange ratio; |
| Legacy EQRx refers to EQRx International, Inc. (formerly known as EQRx, Inc.), a Delaware corporation, which became a wholly owned subsidiary of EQRx in connection with the consummation of the EQRx DeSPAC; |
| mergers refers to the first merger and second merger, collectively; |
| merger agreement refers to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 31, 2023, as it may be amended from time to time, by and among Revolution Medicines, EQRx, Merger Sub I and Merger Sub II; |
| Merger Sub I refers to Equinox Merger Sub I, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines, formed for the purpose of effecting the mergers; |
| Merger Sub II refers to Equinox Merger Sub II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines, formed for the purpose of effecting the mergers; |
| MTS refers to MTS Health Partners, L.P., financial advisor to EQRx in connection with the mergers; |
| MTS Securities refers to MTS Securities, LLC, an affiliate of MTS; |
| Nasdaq Global refers to the Nasdaq Global Market; |
| Nasdaq Select refers to the Nasdaq Global Select Market; |
| Nasdaq refers to the Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC; |
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| pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP refers to the daily volume weighted average closing price of one share of Revolution Medicines common stock on the Nasdaq Select, as such daily volume weighted average closing price is reported by Bloomberg L.P., calculated to four decimal places and determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours, for each of the five consecutive trading days ending on and including the date that is the sixth business day prior to the scheduled EQRx special meeting date; |
| required EQRx stockholder approval refers to the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of EQRx common stock entitled to vote at the EQRx special meeting in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement; |
| required Revolution Medicines stockholder approval refers to the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Revolution Medicines common stock present in person or by proxy and voted at the Revolution Medicines special meeting in favor of the approval of the issuance of the Revolution Medicines common stock pursuant to the merger agreement for the purpose of approving such issuance under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635; |
| Revolution Medicines refers to Revolution Medicines, Inc., a Delaware corporation; |
| Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal refers to the proposal for Revolution Medicines stockholders to approve the adjournment of the Revolution Medicines special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Revolution Medicines special meeting to approve the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal; |
| Revolution Medicines board of directors refers to the board of directors of Revolution Medicines; |
| Revolution Medicines board recommendation refers to the recommendation of the Revolution Medicines board of directors that Revolution Medicines stockholders vote to approve the issuance of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock in the first merger; |
| Revolution Medicines bylaws refers to the bylaws of Revolution Medicines; |
| Revolution Medicines charter refers to the certificate of incorporation of Revolution Medicines; |
| Revolution Medicines common stock refers to the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Revolution Medicines; |
| Revolution Medicines record date refers to [●], 2023; |
| Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal refers to the proposal for Revolution Medicines stockholders to approve the issuance of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to EQRx securityholders in connection with the mergers; |
| Revolution Medicines special meeting refers to the special meeting of Revolution Medicines stockholders to consider and vote upon the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal; |
| Revolution Medicines special meeting website refers to the website that Revolution Medicines stockholders can visit to attend and vote at the Revolution Medicines special meeting, accessible at the following web address: [●]; |
| Revolution Medicines stockholders refers to holders of Revolution Medicines common stock; |
| Revolution Medicines supporting stockholders refers to certain Revolution Medicines directors and executive officers (and significant stockholders) who entered into a voting agreement with EQRx; |
| Revolution Medicines transaction committee refers to the transaction committee of the Revolution Medicines board of directors; |
| Revolution Medicines voting agreement refers to the voting agreement entered into by EQRx and the Revolution Medicines supporting stockholders; |
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| Sarbanes-Oxley Act refers to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended; |
| scheduled EQRx special meeting date refers to the date of the EQRx special meeting set forth in the notice of meeting included in the definitive form of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, when filed; |
| SEC refers to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; |
| second effective time refers to the date and time when the second merger becomes effective under the DGCL and the DLLCA, which will be the time of the filing of the certificate of merger with respect to the second merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or such later time as may be designated jointly by Revolution Medicines and EQRx and specified in the second certificate of merger; |
| second merger refers to the merger of EQRx with and into Merger Sub II, with Merger Sub II as the surviving company in the merger and continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines; and |
| Securities Act refers to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
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REVOLUTION MEDICINES PROPOSAL #1: REVOLUTION MEDICINES SHARE ISSUANCE PROPOSAL |
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REVOLUTION MEDICINES PROPOSAL #2: REVOLUTION MEDICINES ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL |
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF REVOLUTION MEDICINES COMMON STOCK |
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Annex C: Form of Voting Agreement with Revolution Medicines, Inc. |
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Annex E: Form of Lock-up Agreement with Revolution Medicines, Inc. |
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The following are some questions that you, as a stockholder of Revolution Medicines or as a stockholder of EQRx, may have regarding the mergers and the other matters being considered at the special meeting of Revolution Medicines stockholders, and brief answers to those questions. You are urged to carefully read this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the other documents referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus in their entirety because this section may not provide all the information that is important to you regarding these matters. Additional important information is contained in the annexes to, and the documents incorporated by reference into, this joint proxy statement/prospectus. You may obtain the information incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, without charge, by following the instructions under the section titled Where You Can Find More Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Q: | Why am I receiving this joint proxy statement/prospectus? |
A: | You are receiving this joint proxy statement/prospectus because EQRx and Revolution Medicines have agreed to combine their companies through a series of mergers, whereby (i) Merger Sub I will merge with and into EQRx, with EQRx surviving the first merger as a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines, and (ii) as soon as practicable after the first merger and as the second step in a single integrated transaction with the first merger, EQRx will merge with and into Merger Sub II, resulting in Merger Sub II surviving as a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines. The Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 31, 2023 (as it may be amended from time to time), which is referred to as the merger agreement, governs the terms of the mergers, and is attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A. |
In order to complete the mergers, among other things:
| Revolution Medicines stockholders must approve the issuance of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock (including securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of Revolution Medicines common stock) in connection with the mergers, which is referred to as the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal; and |
| EQRx stockholders must adopt the merger agreement in accordance with the DGCL, which is referred to as the EQRx merger agreement proposal. |
Revolution Medicines is holding a special meeting of its stockholders to obtain approval of the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal. Revolution Medicines stockholders will also be asked to approve the proposal to adjourn the Revolution Medicines special meeting to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Revolution Medicines special meeting to approve the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal, which proposal is referred to as the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal.
EQRx is holding a special meeting of its stockholders to obtain approval of the EQRx merger agreement proposal. EQRx stockholders will also be asked to approve (i) on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation that will or may be payable to EQRxs named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, which proposal is referred to as the EQRx compensation proposal and (ii) the proposal to adjourn the EQRx special meeting to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the EQRx special meeting to approve the EQRx merger agreement proposal, which proposal is referred to as the EQRx adjournment proposal.
Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares that you own. The approval of the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and the approval of the EQRx merger agreement proposal are conditions to the obligations of Revolution Medicines and EQRx to complete the mergers. The approvals of the EQRx compensation proposal, the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal or the EQRx adjournment proposal are not conditions to the obligations of Revolution Medicines or EQRx to complete the mergers.
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Q: | When and where will each of the special meetings take place? |
A: | The Revolution Medicines special meeting will be held completely virtually on the Revolution Medicines special meeting website, at [●], on [●], 2023 at [●], Pacific Time. |
To participate in the Revolution Medicines special meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. The meeting webcast will begin promptly at [●], Pacific Time. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time. Online check-in will begin at [●], Pacific Time, and you should allow ample time for check-in procedures. If you hold your shares through a bank or broker, instructions should also be provided on the voting instruction form provided by your bank or brokerage firm. If you lose your 16-digit control number, you may join the Revolution Medicines special meeting as a Guest, but you will not be able to vote, ask questions, or access the list of stockholders as of the record date.
The EQRx special meeting will be held completely virtually on the EQRx special meeting website, at [●], on [●], 2023 at [●], Eastern Time. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time. Online check-in will begin at [●], Eastern Time, and you should allow ample time for check-in procedures. If you hold your shares through a bank or broker, instructions should also be provided on the voting instruction form provided by your bank or brokerage firm. If you lose your 16-digit control number, you may join the EQRx special meeting as a Guest, but you will not be able to vote, ask questions, or access the list of stockholders as of the record date.
If you choose to vote your shares electronically at your respective companys special meeting, please bring required documentation in accordance with the section titled The Revolution Medicines Special MeetingAttending the Revolution Medicines Special Meeting of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, with respect to the Revolution Medicines special meeting, and the section titled The EQRx Special MeetingAttending the EQRx Special Meeting of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, with respect to the EQRx special meeting. The use of video, still photography or audio recording at either the Revolution Medicines special meeting or the EQRx special meeting is not permitted.
Even if you plan to virtually attend your companys special meeting, Revolution Medicines and EQRx recommend that you vote your shares in advance as described below so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to or become unable to attend the applicable special meeting.
Q: | Does my vote matter? |
A: | Yes, your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares that you own. The mergers cannot be completed unless EQRx stockholders adopt the merger agreement and Revolution Medicines stockholders approve the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal. |
For Revolution Medicines stockholders, if you do not return or submit your proxy or vote at the Revolution Medicines special meeting as provided in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, it will have no effect on the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal or the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal. The Revolution Medicines board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and FOR the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal.
For EQRx stockholders, if you do not return or submit your proxy or vote at the EQRx special meeting as provided in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, the effect will be the same as a vote AGAINST the EQRx merger agreement proposal, and will have no effect on the EQRx compensation proposal or the EQRx adjournment proposal. The EQRx board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the EQRx merger agreement proposal, FOR the EQRx compensation proposal and FOR the EQRx adjournment proposal.
Q: | What will I receive if the mergers are completed? |
A: | If the mergers are completed, each share of EQRx common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (other than excluded EQRx shares) will be converted into the right to receive a number |
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of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock as determined by the exchange ratio. Each EQRx stockholder will receive cash for any fractional shares of Revolution Medicines common stock that such stockholder would otherwise receive in the first merger. Any cash amounts to be received by an EQRx stockholder in respect of fractional shares shall be equal to the product of (i) the aggregate proceeds from the sale by [●], which is referred to as the Exchange Agent, of the excess shares and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of the fractional share interest to which such holder of EQRx common stock would otherwise be entitled and the denominator of which is the aggregate amount of fractional share interests to which all holders of EQRx common stock would otherwise be entitled, without interest, subject to withholding taxes. As referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, the effective time means the date and time when the certificate of merger for the first merger has been duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, or such other date and time as may be agreed by Revolution Medicines and EQRx and specified in the certificate of merger for the first merger. |
The market price of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock that EQRx stockholders receive after the mergers are completed could be greater than, less than or the same as the market price of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock on the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus or at the time of the special meetings. Accordingly, EQRx stockholders should obtain current market quotations for Revolution Medicines common stock and EQRx common stock before deciding how to vote with respect to the adoption of the merger agreement. Revolution Medicines common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Select under the symbol RVMD and EQRx common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global under the symbol EQRX. Shares of common stock issued as merger consideration are expected to trade on the Nasdaq Select under the symbol RVMD.
For more information regarding the merger consideration to be received by EQRx equityholders if the mergers are completed, see the section titled The Merger AgreementMerger Consideration of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Q: | When will the exchange ratio be determined? |
A: | The exchange ratio will be calculated promptly following the determination of the pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP, which will be known following the closing of the Nasdaq Select market on the sixth business day prior to the scheduled EQRx special meeting date as set forth in the notice of meeting included in the definitive form of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. EQRx and Revolution Medicines will publicly announce the exchange ratio pursuant to a press release and the filing of Current Reports on Form 8-K with the SEC. See the section titled Where You Can Find More Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. |
Q: | Will EQRx equity awards be affected by the mergers? |
A: | The vesting and exercisability of each EQRx option and the vesting of each share of EQRx restricted stock will be accelerated in full as of immediately prior to the effective time. Prior to the effective time, each holder of EQRx options will be provided the opportunity to exercise the holders EQRx options, whether or not vested, for a period determined by the EQRx board of directors that ends on or prior to the tenth business day prior to the scheduled EQRx special meeting date, provided that the exercise of any unvested EQRx option that will vest as described in this paragraph will be conditioned on the occurrence of the effective time. EQRx must take all actions necessary to prohibit exercise of EQRx options after the tenth business day prior to the EQRx special meeting date. |
At the effective time:
| each in-the-money EQRx option will be cancelled and converted automatically into the right to receive a number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock based on the exchange ratio after taking into account the exercise price (all EQRx options that do not constitute in-the-money EQRx options will be terminated at the effective time for no consideration); |
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| each EQRx RSU (other than earn-out RSUs) outstanding immediately prior to the effective time, whether or not vested, will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive shares of Revolution Medicines common stock based on the exchange ratio (earn-out RSUs will be cancelled as of the closing of the mergers for no consideration); and |
| each outstanding share of EQRx restricted stock that is accelerated in full immediately prior to the effective time will be treated the same as all other outstanding shares of EQRx common stock under the merger agreement. |
The amount of any required withholding (as described further in The Merger AgreementWithholding Rights) with respect to in-the-money EQRx options, EQRx RSUs and shares of EQRx restricted stock that are converted into shares of Revolution Medicines common stock at the effective time will be satisfied by selling shares of Revolution Medicines common stock and remitting the proceeds to the proper taxing authorities through Revolution Medicines.
Q: | What will happen to the EQRx Employee Stock Purchase Plan? |
A: | There are currently no offerings outstanding under the EQRx ESPP, and no new offerings will commence under the EQRx ESPP. The EQRx ESPP will terminate on the last business day prior to the effective date. |
Q: | Will EQRx warrants be affected by the mergers? |
A: | At the effective time, each outstanding and unexercised warrant to purchase shares of EQRx common stock, or an EQRx warrant, which is referred to as an EQRx warrant, that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the effective time will, in accordance with its terms, automatically cease to represent a warrant exercisable for EQRx common stock and will become a warrant exercisable for the merger consideration that the holder of such EQRx warrant would have received if such EQRx warrant had been exercised immediately prior to the effective time. For the avoidance of doubt, no holder of an EQRx warrant will be entitled to receive any merger consideration in exchange for such EQRx warrant. |
Q: | What respective equity stakes will Revolution Medicines stockholders and EQRx stockholders hold in the combined company immediately following the mergers? |
A: | As of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, based on the number of shares of EQRx and Revolution Medicines common stock outstanding as of [●], 2023, the latest practicable date prior to the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and assuming that the exchange ratio is [●], as determined based on the volume-weighted average price per share of Revolution Medicines common stock for the five trading days ending on [●], 2023, the holders of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock as of immediately prior to the completion of the first merger would hold, in the aggregate, approximately [●]% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the combined company (based on fully diluted shares outstanding of the combined company including equity awards (using the treasury stock method)) immediately following the completion of the first merger, and holders of shares of EQRx common stock as of immediately prior to the completion of the first merger would hold, in the aggregate, approximately [●]% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the combined company (based on fully diluted shares outstanding of the combined company including equity awards (using the treasury stock method)) immediately following the completion of the first merger. The actual equity ownership of Revolution Medicines stockholders and EQRx stockholders in the combined company immediately following the first merger will depend on the pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP and the number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock and EQRx common stock outstanding immediately prior to the first merger. |
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Q: | How does the Revolution Medicines board of directors recommend that I vote at the Revolution Medicines special meeting? |
A: | The Revolution Medicines board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and FOR the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal. |
Q: | How does the EQRx board of directors recommend that I vote at the EQRx special meeting? |
A: | The EQRx board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the EQRx merger agreement proposal, FOR the EQRx compensation proposal and FOR the EQRx adjournment proposal. |
In considering the recommendations of the EQRx board of directors, EQRx stockholders should be aware that EQRx directors and executive officers have interests in the mergers that are different from, or in addition to, their interests as EQRx stockholders. These interests may include, among others, accelerated vesting of outstanding EQRx equity awards and payment of severance benefits. For a more complete description of these interests, see the information provided in the section titled The MergersInterests of EQRxs Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Q: | Who is entitled to vote at the Revolution Medicines special meeting? |
A: | The Revolution Medicines record date is [●], 2023. All holders of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock who held shares at the close of business on the Revolution Medicines record date are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Revolution Medicines special meeting and all adjournments thereof (if any). Each such holder of Revolution Medicines common stock is entitled to cast one vote on each matter properly brought before the Revolution Medicines special meeting for each share of Revolution Medicines common stock that such holder owned of record as of the Revolution Medicines record date. The Revolution Medicines special meeting will be completely virtual and attendance at the special meeting is not required to vote. See below and the section titled The Revolution Medicines Special MeetingMethods of Voting of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for instructions on how to vote your shares without attending the Revolution Medicines special meeting. |
Q: | Who is entitled to vote at the EQRx special meeting? |
A: | The EQRx record date is [●], 2023. All holders of shares of EQRx common stock who held shares at the close of business on the EQRx record date are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the EQRx special meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. Each such holder of EQRx common stock is entitled to cast one vote on each matter properly brought before the EQRx special meeting for each share of EQRx common stock that such holder owned of record as of the EQRx record date. The EQRx special meeting will be completely virtual and attendance at the special meeting is not required to vote. See below and the section titled The EQRx Special MeetingMethods of Voting of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for instructions on how to vote your shares without attending the EQRx special meeting. |
Q: | What is a proxy? |
A: | A stockholders legal designation of another person to vote such stockholders shares of common stock at a special meeting is referred to as a proxy. The document used to designate a proxy to vote your shares of Revolution Medicines common stock or EQRx common stock, as applicable, is referred to as a proxy card. |
Q: | How many votes do I have for the Revolution Medicines special meeting? |
A: | Each Revolution Medicines stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of Revolution Medicines common stock held of record as of the close of business on the Revolution Medicines record date on each proposal presented at the Revolution Medicines special meeting. As of the close of business on the Revolution Medicines record date, there were [●] outstanding shares of Revolution Medicines common stock. |
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Q: | How many votes do I have for the EQRx special meeting? |
A: | Each EQRx stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of EQRx common stock held of record as of the close of business on the EQRx record date on each proposal presented at the EQRx special meeting. As of the close of business on the EQRx record date, there were [●] outstanding shares of EQRx common stock. |
Q: | What constitutes a quorum for the Revolution Medicines special meeting? |
A: | The holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of Revolution Medicines common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Revolution Medicines special meeting must be represented at the Revolution Medicines special meeting virtually via the Revolution Medicines special meeting website, by remote communication or by proxy in order to constitute a quorum. On the record date, there were [●] shares of Revolution Medicines common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Thus, the holders of [●] shares must be present or represented by proxy at the Revolution Medicines special meeting to establish a quorum. |
Q: | What constitutes a quorum for the EQRx special meeting? |
A: | A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding shares of EQRx common stock entitled to vote are present at the EQRx special meeting or represented by proxy. On the record date, there were [●] shares of EQRx common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Thus, the holders of [●] shares must be present or represented by proxy at the EQRx special meeting to establish a quorum. |
Q: | Where will the Revolution Medicines common stock that I receive in the mergers be publicly traded? |
A: | The shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued to EQRx equityholders in the mergers will be listed for trading on the Nasdaq Select under the symbol RVMD. |
Q: | What is a broker non-vote? |
A: | Broker non-votes occur when a beneficial owner of shares held in street name does not give instructions to the broker holding the shares as to how to vote on matters deemed non-routine. Generally, if shares are held in street name, the beneficial owner of the shares is entitled to give voting instructions to the broker holding the shares. If the beneficial owner does not provide voting instructions, the broker can still vote the shares with respect to matters that are considered to be routine, but not with respect to non-routine matters. In the event that a broker or other record holder of common stock indicates on a proxy that it does not have discretionary authority to vote certain shares on a particular proposal, then those shares will be treated as broker non-votes with respect to that proposal. Accordingly, if you own shares through a nominee, such as a broker, please be sure to instruct your nominee how to vote to ensure that your vote is counted on each of the proposals. |
Q: | Which proposals are considered routine or non-routine? |
A: | None of the proposals currently scheduled to be voted on at either the Revolution Medicines special meeting or the EQRx special meeting are routine matters for which brokers may have discretionary authority to vote. Accordingly, it is not expected that there will be any broker non-votes. |
Q: | What stockholder vote is required for the approval of each proposal at the Revolution Medicines special meeting? What will happen if I fail to vote or abstain from voting on each proposal at the Revolution Medicines special meeting? |
A: | Revolution Medicines Proposal # 1: Revolution Medicines Share Issuance Proposal. Assuming a quorum is present at the Revolution Medicines special meeting, the approval of the share issuance by Revolution |
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Medicines stockholders requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the votes cast at the Revolution Medicines special meeting on the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal. Accordingly, a Revolution Medicines stockholders abstention from voting, a broker non-vote or the failure of a Revolution Medicines stockholder not present at the meeting to vote will have no effect on the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal. |
Revolution Medicines Proposal # 2: Revolution Medicines Adjournment Proposal. The Revolution Medicines special meeting may be adjourned to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Revolution Medicines special meeting to approve the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal, with the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast for and against the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal. Accordingly, a Revolution Medicines stockholders abstention from voting, a broker non-vote or the failure of a Revolution Medicines stockholder not present at the meeting to vote will have no effect on the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal.
Q: | What stockholder vote is required for the approval of each proposal at the EQRx special meeting? What will happen if I fail to vote or abstain from voting on each proposal at the EQRx special meeting? |
A: | EQRx Proposal #1: EQRx Merger Agreement Proposal. Assuming a quorum is present at the EQRx special meeting, the approval of the EQRx merger agreement proposal by EQRx stockholders requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of EQRx common stock entitled to vote at the EQRx special meeting. Accordingly, an EQRx stockholders abstention from voting, a broker non-vote or the failure of an EQRx stockholder to vote (including the failure of an EQRx stockholder who holds shares in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee to give voting instructions to that bank, broker or other nominee) will have the same effect as votes cast AGAINST the EQRx merger agreement proposal. |
EQRx Proposal #2: EQRx Compensation Proposal. Assuming a quorum is present at the EQRx special meeting, the approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the compensation that will or may be payable to EQRxs named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes properly cast for and against the EQRx compensation proposal. Accordingly, an EQRx stockholders abstention from voting, a broker non-vote or the failure of an EQRx stockholder to vote (including the failure of an EQRx stockholder who holds shares in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee to give voting instructions to that bank, broker or other nominee) will have no effect on the EQRx compensation proposal.
EQRx Proposal #3: EQRx Adjournment Proposal. The EQRx special meeting may be adjourned to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the EQRx special meeting to approve the EQRx merger agreement proposal, with the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast for and against the EQRx adjournment proposal. Accordingly, an EQRx stockholders abstention from voting, a broker non-vote or the failure of an EQRx stockholder to vote (including the failure of an EQRx stockholder who holds shares in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee to give voting instructions to that bank, broker or other nominee) will have no effect on the EQRx adjournment proposal.
Q: | Are there any stockholders who have already committed to voting in favor of any of the proposals? |
Yes. Contemporaneously with the execution of the merger agreement, Revolution Medicines entered into voting agreements with certain EQRx directors, executive officers and significant stockholders who held, as of July 31, 2023, more than 40% of the voting shares of EQRx, and EQRx entered into voting agreements with certain Revolution Medicines directors, executive officers and significant stockholders who held, as of July 31, 2023, approximately 8% of the voting shares of Revolution Medicines.
Pursuant to the EQRx voting agreements, each supporting EQRx stockholder has agreed, among other things, to vote its shares of EQRx common stock (i) in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement, and
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(ii) against (x) any action or agreement that would reasonably be expected to result in EQRx not being able to fulfill any of its closing conditions, as required by the merger agreement and (y) any competing transaction proposal.
Pursuant to the Revolution Medicines voting agreements, each Revolution Medicines supporting stockholder has agreed, among other things, to vote its shares of Revolution Medicines common stock (i) in favor of the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and (ii) against (x) any action or agreement that would reasonably be expected to result in Revolution Medicines not being able to fulfill any of its closing conditions, as required by the merger agreement and (y) any competing transaction proposal.
Copies of the form of Revolution Medicines voting agreements and form of EQRx voting agreements are attached as Annex C and Annex D, respectively, to this joint proxy statement/prospectus. For a more complete summary of the voting agreements, see the sections titled The Ancillary AgreementsRevolution Medicines Voting Agreements and The Ancillary AgreementsEQRx Voting Agreements of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Q: | Why am I being asked to consider and vote, by non-binding, advisory vote, on the EQRx compensation proposal? |
A: | Under SEC rules, EQRx is required to seek a non-binding, advisory vote of its stockholders relating to the compensation that will or may be payable to EQRxs named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the mergers (also known as golden parachute compensation). |
Q: | What happens if EQRx stockholders do not approve, by non-binding, advisory vote, the EQRx compensation proposal? |
A: | Because the vote on the proposal to approve the EQRx compensation proposal is advisory in nature, the outcome of the vote will not be binding upon EQRx or the combined company. Accordingly, the merger-related compensation, which is described under The MergersInterests of EQRxs Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers, may be paid to EQRxs named executive officers even if EQRx stockholders do not approve the EQRx compensation proposal. |
Q: | What if I hold shares in both Revolution Medicines and EQRx? |
A: | If you are both a Revolution Medicines stockholder and an EQRx stockholder, you will receive two separate packages of proxy materials. A vote cast as a Revolution Medicines stockholder will not count as a vote cast as an EQRx stockholder, and a vote cast as an EQRx stockholder will not count as a vote cast as a Revolution Medicines stockholder. Therefore, please submit separate proxies for your shares of Revolution Medicines common stock and your shares of EQRx common stock. |
Q: | How can I vote my shares in person at my respective special meeting? |
A: | Record Holders. Shares held directly in your name as the stockholder of record may be voted electronically at the Revolution Medicines special meeting or the EQRx special meeting, as applicable. If you choose to vote your shares electronically at the Revolution Medicines special meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card in accordance with the section titled The Revolution Medicines Special MeetingAttending the Revolution Medicines Special Meeting of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. If you choose to vote your shares electronically at the EQRx special meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card in accordance with the section titled The EQRx Special MeetingAttending the EQRx Special Meeting of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. |
Shares in street name. With respect to either the Revolution Medicines special meeting or the EQRx special meeting, if your shares are held in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee, you will
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receive instructions on how to vote from the bank or broker. You must follow their instructions in order for your shares to be voted. Internet and telephone voting also may be offered to stockholders owning shares through certain banks and brokers. If your shares are not registered in your own name and you would like to vote your shares at the Revolution Medicines special meeting, you may visit [●] and enter the 16-digit control number included in the voting instruction form provided to you by your bank or brokerage firm. If your shares are not registered in your own name and you would like to vote your shares at the EQRx special meeting, you may visit [●] and enter the 16-digit control number included in the voting instruction form provided to you by your bank or brokerage firm. If you hold your shares in street name and you do not receive a 16-digit control number, you may need to log in to your bank or brokerage firms website and select the shareholder communications mailbox to access the meeting and vote. Instructions should also be provided on the voting instruction form provided by your bank or brokerage firm.
Even if you plan to virtually attend the Revolution Medicines special meeting or the EQRx special meeting, Revolution Medicines and EQRx recommend that you submit a proxy to vote your shares in advance as described below so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to or become unable to attend the respective special meeting. The use of video, still photography or audio recording is not permitted at either the Revolution Medicines special meeting or the EQRx special meeting.
Additional information on attending the special meetings can be found in the section titled The Revolution Medicines Special Meeting on page 51 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and in the section titled The EQRx Special Meeting on page 60 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Q: | What if during the check-in time or during the Revolution Medicines special meeting I have technical difficulties or trouble accessing the virtual meeting website? |
A: | We will have technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties you may have accessing the virtual meeting website for the Revolution Medicines special meeting. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting website during the check-in or meeting time for the Revolution Medicines special meeting, please call the technical support number found on the Revolution Medicines special meeting website. |
Q: | What if during the check-in time or during the EQRx special meeting I have technical difficulties or trouble accessing the virtual meeting website? |
A: | We will have technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties you may have accessing the virtual meeting website for the EQRx special meeting. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting website during the check-in or meeting time for the EQRx special meeting, please call the technical support number found on the EQRx special meeting website. |
Q: | How can I vote my shares without attending my respective special meeting? |
A: | Whether you hold your shares directly as the stockholder of record of Revolution Medicines or EQRx or beneficially in street name, you may direct your vote by proxy without attending the Revolution Medicines special meeting or the EQRx special meeting, as applicable. You can vote by proxy over the Internet, by telephone or by mail by following the instructions provided in the enclosed proxy card. Please note that if you hold shares beneficially in street name, you should follow the voting instructions provided by your bank, broker or other nominee. |
Additional information on voting procedures can be found under the section titled The Revolution Medicines Special Meeting on page 51 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and under the section titled The EQRx Special Meeting on page 60 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
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Q: | What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner of shares held in street name? |
A: | If your shares of Revolution Medicines common stock are registered directly in your name with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, Revolution Medicines transfer agent, or if your shares of EQRx common stock are registered directly in your name with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, N.A., EQRxs transfer agent, you are considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to vote, or to grant a proxy for your vote, directly to Revolution Medicines or EQRx, as applicable, or to a third party to vote, at the respective special meeting. |
If your shares of common stock in Revolution Medicines or EQRx are held by a bank, broker or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name, and your bank, broker or other nominee is considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares. Your bank, broker or other nominee will provide you, as the beneficial owner, a package describing the procedure for voting your shares. You should follow the instructions provided by them to vote your shares. You are invited to attend the Revolution Medicines special meeting or the EQRx special meeting, as applicable. If your shares are not registered in your own name and you would like to vote your shares at the Revolution Medicines special meeting, you may visit [●] and enter the 16-digit control number included in the voting instruction form provided to you by your bank or brokerage firm. If your shares are not registered in your own name and you would like to vote your shares at the EQRx special meeting, you may visit [●] and enter the 16-digit control number included in the voting instruction form provided to you by your bank or brokerage firm. If you hold your shares in street name and you do not receive a 16-digit control number, you may need to log in to your bank or brokerage firms website and select the shareholder communications mailbox to access the meeting and vote. Instructions should also be provided on the voting instruction form provided by your bank or brokerage firm.
Q: | If my shares of Revolution Medicines common stock or EQRx common stock are held in street name by my bank, broker or other nominee, will my bank, broker or other nominee automatically vote those shares for me? |
A: | In most cases, no. For all proposals, your bank, broker or other nominee will only be permitted to vote your shares of Revolution Medicines common stock or EQRx common stock, as applicable, if you instruct your bank, broker or other nominee how to vote. You should follow the procedures provided by your bank, broker or other nominee regarding the voting of your shares. Under the rules of Nasdaq, banks, brokers and other nominees who hold shares of Revolution Medicines common stock or EQRx common stock in street name for their customers have authority to vote on routine proposals when they have not received instructions from beneficial owners. However, banks, brokers and other nominees are prohibited from exercising their voting discretion with respect to non-routine matters. All proposals currently scheduled to be considered and voted on at the EQRx special meeting are considered non-routine. As a result, absent specific instructions from the beneficial owner of such shares, banks, brokers and other nominees are not empowered to vote such shares. |
For Revolution Medicines stockholders, not instructing your bank, broker or other nominee how you wish to vote your shares will have no effect on the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal or the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal.
For EQRx stockholders, not instructing your bank, broker or other nominee how you wish to vote your shares will have the same effect as a vote AGAINST the EQRx merger agreement proposal, but will have no effect on the EQRx compensation proposal or the EQRx adjournment proposal.
Q: | What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials for the same special meeting? |
A: | If you hold shares of Revolution Medicines common stock or EQRx common stock in street name and also directly in your name as a stockholder of record or otherwise, or if you hold shares of Revolution |
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Medicines common stock or EQRx common stock in more than one brokerage account, you may receive more than one set of voting materials relating to the same special meeting. |
Record Holders. For shares held directly, please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card (or submit a proxy to cast your vote over the Internet, or by telephone, as provided on each proxy card) or otherwise follow the voting instructions provided in this joint proxy statement/prospectus in order to ensure that all of your shares of Revolution Medicines common stock or EQRx common stock are voted.
Shares in street name. For shares held in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee, you should follow the procedures provided by your bank, broker or other nominee to vote your shares.
Q: | If a stockholder gives a proxy, how are the shares of Revolution Medicines common stock or EQRx common stock voted? |
A: | Regardless of the method by which you choose to vote, the individuals named on the enclosed proxy card will vote your shares of Revolution Medicines common stock or EQRx common stock, as applicable, in the way that you indicate. When completing the Internet or telephone processes or the proxy card, you may specify whether your shares of Revolution Medicines common stock or EQRx common stock, as applicable, should be voted for or against, or abstain from voting on, all, some or none of the specific items of business to come before the respective special meetings. |
Q: | How will my shares of Revolution Medicines common stock be voted if I return a blank proxy? |
A: | If you are a stockholder of record and you sign, date and return your proxy and do not indicate how you want your shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be voted, then your shares of Revolution Medicines common stock will be voted FOR the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and FOR the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal. |
Q: | How will my shares of EQRx common stock be voted if I return a blank proxy? |
A: | If you are a stockholder of record and you sign, date and return your proxy and do not indicate how you want your shares of EQRx common stock to be voted, then your shares of EQRx common stock will be voted FOR the EQRx merger agreement proposal, FOR the EQRx compensation proposal and FOR the EQRx adjournment proposal. |
Q: | Can I change my vote after I have submitted my proxy? |
A: | Any Revolution Medicines or EQRx stockholder giving a proxy has the right to revoke it before the proxy is voted at the applicable special meeting by doing any of the following: |
| subsequently submitting a new proxy (including by submitting a proxy via the Internet or telephone) that is received prior to the applicable special meeting (which should be received by the deadline specified on the accompanying proxy card in order to ensure that your proxy is counted); |
| giving written notice of your revocation to Revolution Medicines corporate secretary or EQRxs corporate secretary, as applicable; or |
| voting virtually at the Revolution Medicines special meeting via the Revolution Medicines special meeting website or at the EQRX special meeting via the EQRx special meeting website, as applicable. |
Execution or revocation of a proxy will not in any way affect your right to attend the applicable special meeting and vote electronically at such special meeting. Attending the applicable special meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy.
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Written notices of revocation and other communications with respect to the revocation of proxies should be addressed:
if you are a Revolution Medicines stockholder, to: 700 Saginaw Drive Redwood
City, California 94063 |
if you are an EQRx stockholder, to: EQRx, Inc. 50 Hampshire Street Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 (617) 315-2255 Attention: Corporate Secretary |
For more information, see the section titled The Revolution Medicines Special MeetingRevocability of Proxies of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the section titled The EQRx Special MeetingRevocability of Proxies of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, as applicable.
Q: | If I hold my shares in street name, can I change my voting instructions after I have submitted voting instructions to my bank, broker or other nominee? |
A: | If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee and you previously provided voting instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee, you should follow the instructions provided by your bank, broker or other nominee to revoke or change your voting instructions. |
Q: | Where can I find the voting results of the special meetings? |
A: | The preliminary voting results for each special meeting will be announced at that special meeting. In addition, within four business days after completion of its special meeting, each of Revolution Medicines and EQRx intends to file the final voting results of its respective special meeting with the SEC on a Current Report on Form 8-K. |
Q: | If I do not favor the mergers, what are my rights? |
A: | EQRx stockholders are not entitled to appraisal rights under the DGCL. For more information, see the section titled The Merger AgreementNo Appraisal Rights of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. If they are not in favor of the mergers, Revolution Medicines stockholders may vote against the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and EQRx stockholders may vote against the EQRx merger agreement proposal. Information about how Revolution Medicines stockholders may vote on the proposals being considered in connection with the mergers can be found under the section titled The Revolution Medicines Special Meeting of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Information about how EQRx stockholders may vote on the proposals being considered in connection with the mergers can be found under the section titled The EQRx Special Meeting of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. |
Q: | Are there any risks that I should consider in deciding whether to vote for the approval of the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal or the approval of the EQRx merger agreement proposal? |
A: | Yes. You should read and carefully consider the risk factors set forth in the section titled Risk Factors of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. You also should read and carefully consider the risk factors of Revolution Medicines and EQRx contained in the documents that are incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See the section titled Where You Can Find More Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. |
Q: | Who will solicit and pay the cost of soliciting proxies? |
A: | Revolution Medicines has engaged Morrow Sodali LLC, which is referred to as Morrow, to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the Revolution Medicines special meeting. Revolution Medicines estimates that it |
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will pay Morrow a fee of approximately $[●], plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses. Revolution Medicines has agreed to indemnify Morrow against various liabilities and expenses that relate to or arise out of its solicitation of proxies (subject to certain exceptions). EQRx has engaged MacKenzie Partners, Inc., which is referred to as MacKenzie Partners, to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the EQRx special meeting for a fee of $[●], plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. EQRx has agreed to indemnify MacKenzie Partners against various liabilities and expenses that relate to or arise out of its solicitation of proxies (subject to certain exceptions). Revolution Medicines and EQRx also may be required to reimburse banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries or their respective agents for their expenses in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners of Revolution Medicines common stock and EQRx common stock, respectively. Revolution Medicines directors, officers and employees and EQRxs directors, officers and employees also may solicit proxies, by telephone, by mail, by electronic means or in person. They will not be paid any additional amounts for soliciting proxies. |
Q: | What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the mergers to EQRx stockholders? |
A: | The mergers, taken together, are intended to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, referred to as the Code, but there are significant legal and factual uncertainties concerning such qualification, particularly given the wind-down of EQRxs research and development programs and operations, as described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. No assurance can be given that the mergers will so qualify, that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, referred to as the IRS, will not challenge such qualification or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. The closing of the mergers is not conditioned upon achieving, or receiving a ruling from the IRS or opinion of counsel with respect to, such qualification. |
If the mergers, taken together, qualify as a reorganization, a U.S. holder (as defined in the section titled U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus) of EQRx common stock generally will not recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the exchange of EQRx common stock for Revolution Medicines common stock in the mergers, except with respect to cash received by such holder in lieu of fractional shares of Revolution Medicines common stock. If the mergers do not so qualify, the exchange of EQRx common stock for Revolution Medicines common stock in the mergers will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
See the section titled U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for a more complete description of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the mergers. Please consult your tax advisors as to the specific tax consequences to you of the mergers, including the consequences if the mergers do not qualify as a reorganization.
Q: | When are the mergers expected to be completed? |
A: | Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions described under the section titled The Merger AgreementConditions to the Completion of the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the adoption of the merger agreement by EQRx stockholders and the approval of the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal, the mergers are expected to be completed in November 2023. However, neither Revolution Medicines nor EQRx can predict the actual date on which the mergers will be completed, or if the mergers will be completed at all, because completion of the mergers are subject to conditions and factors outside the control of both companies. |
Q: | What are the conditions to the completion of the mergers? |
A: | The mergers are subject to a number of conditions to closing as specified in the merger agreement. These closing conditions include, among others: |
| the adoption by the EQRx stockholders of the merger agreement; |
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| the approval by the Revolution Medicines stockholders of the issuance of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock in the mergers; |
| the absence of any adverse law or order promulgated, enforced, enacted or issued by any governmental entity that prohibits, restrains or makes illegal the consummation of the mergers; |
| the shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued as merger consideration being approved for listing on the Nasdaq Select; |
| the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, if applicable; and |
| the SEC having declared effective the registration statement on Form S-4 filed by the Revolution Medicines of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus is a part. |
The obligation of each of Revolution Medicines and EQRx to consummate the mergers is also conditioned on, among other things:
| the representations and warranties of the other party being true and correct as of the date of the merger agreement and as of the closing date of the mergers, subject to certain materiality exceptions; |
| the performance in all material respects by the other party of its obligations under the merger agreement that are required to be performed on or prior to the date of the closing of the mergers; and |
| the absence of a continuing material adverse effect with respect to the other party. |
No assurance can be given that the required consents and approvals will be obtained or that the required conditions to closing will be satisfied, and, even if all required consents and approvals are obtained and the conditions are satisfied, no assurance can be given as to the terms, conditions and timing of such consents and approvals. Any delay in completing the mergers could cause the combined company not to realize, or to be delayed in realizing, some or all of the benefits that Revolution Medicines and EQRx expect to achieve if the mergers are successfully completed within the expected timeframe. For a more complete summary of the conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to completion of the mergers, see the sections titled The Merger AgreementConditions to the Completion of the Mergers and The MergersRegulatory Approvals of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Q: | What happens if the mergers are not completed? |
A: | If the mergers are not completed for any reason, EQRx stockholders will not receive any merger consideration for their shares of EQRx common stock in connection with the first merger. Instead, EQRx will remain an independent public company and EQRx common stock will continue to be traded on the Nasdaq Global and Revolution Medicines common stock will continue to be traded on the Nasdaq Select, and Revolution Medicines will not complete the share issuance of Revolution Medicines common stock pursuant to the merger agreement as contemplated by the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal. If the merger agreement is terminated under certain specified circumstances, either Revolution Medicines or EQRx may be required to pay or cause to be paid to the other party a termination fee of $25.0 million (in the case of a termination fee payable by EQRx) or $65.0 million (in the case of a termination fee payable by Revolution Medicines). In addition, if the merger agreement is terminated due to either partys failure to obtain the applicable requisite stockholder approval under circumstances in which a termination fee is not payable, the party that failed to obtain the applicable requisite stockholder approval may be required to pay the other party expense reimbursement fees of up to $10.0 million. See the section titled The Merger AgreementTermination Fees of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for a more detailed discussion of the termination and expense reimbursement fees. |
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Q: | Does Revolution Medicines intend to advance EQRxs research and development portfolio following consummation of the mergers? |
A: | In line with Revolution Medicines continued prioritization and focus of its resources on novel drug mechanisms of action targeting RAS-addicted cancers, Revolution Medicines does not intend to advance EQRxs research and development portfolio following consummation of the mergers. EQRx has commenced a process to wind down these programs and return the associated intellectual property to its partners, which would have the opportunity to independently decide the next steps on development. |
As a result of the process undertaken by EQRx to wind down its programs, EQRx may not have any product candidates in active clinical development nor any material research and development collaborations if the proposed mergers were not to be completed. Accordingly, EQRxs future business prospects as a biopharmaceutical company would be limited unless EQRx is able to take steps to hire key personnel and rebuild a pipeline of product candidates through licenses, acquisitions or both, or through consummation of an alternative transaction. The EQRx board of directors also may determine to liquidate or dissolve EQRx. In such an event, the amount of cash available for distribution to EQRx stockholders will depend heavily on the timing of such liquidation or dissolution, as well as the amount of cash that will need to be reserved for commitments and contingent liabilities.
Q: | How will I receive the merger consideration to which I am entitled? |
A: | If you hold your shares of EQRx common stock in book-entry form, whether through The Depository Trust Company, or otherwise, you will not be required to take any specific actions to exchange your shares of EQRx common stock for shares of Revolution Medicines common stock. Such shares will, following the effective time, be automatically exchanged for shares of Revolution Medicines common stock (in book-entry form) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to which you are entitled. If you instead hold your shares of EQRx common stock in certificated form, then, after receiving the proper documentation from you following the effective time, the Exchange Agent will deliver to you the shares of Revolution Medicines common stock (in book-entry form) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to which you are entitled. For more information, see the section titled The Merger AgreementExchange of Shares. |
Q: | What should I do now? |
A: | You should read this joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully and in its entirety, including the annexes, and return your completed, signed and dated proxy card(s) by mail in the enclosed postage-paid envelope(s) or submit your voting instructions over the Internet, or by telephone, as soon as possible so that your shares will be voted in accordance with your instructions. |
Q: | How can I find more information about Revolution Medicines and EQRx? |
A: | You can find more information about Revolution Medicines and EQRx by reading this joint proxy statement/prospectus and from various sources described under Where You Can Find More Information. |
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Q: | Whom do I call if I have questions about the Revolution Medicines special meeting, the EQRx special meeting or the mergers? |
A: | If you have questions about the Revolution Medicines special meeting, the EQRx special meeting or the mergers, or desire additional copies of this joint proxy statement/prospectus or additional proxies, you may contact: |
For Revolution Medicines stockholders: |
For EQRx stockholders: | |
Morrow Sodali LLC 509 Madison Avenue 12th Floor New York, New York 10022 Email: RVMD@info.morrowsodali.com |
MacKenzie Partners, Inc. 1407 Broadway, 27th Floor New York, New York 10018 Email: proxy@mackenziepartners.com Call Toll-Free: 1-800-322-2885 |
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For your convenience, provided below is a brief summary of certain information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. This summary highlights selected information from this joint proxy statement/prospectus and does not contain all of the information that may be important to you as a Revolution Medicines stockholder or an EQRx stockholder. To understand the mergers fully and for a more complete description of the terms of the mergers, you should read carefully this entire joint proxy statement/prospectus, its annexes and the other documents to which you are referred. Items in this summary include a page reference directing you to a more complete description of those items. You may obtain the information incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus without charge by following the instructions under the section titled Where You Can Find More Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The Parties to the Mergers (Page 49)
Revolution Medicines, Inc.
Revolution Medicines is a clinical-stage precision oncology company focused on developing targeted therapies to inhibit frontier targets in RAS-addicted cancers. Revolution Medicines possess sophisticated structure-based drug discovery capabilities built upon deep chemical biology and cancer pharmacology know-how and innovative, proprietary technologies that enable the creation of small molecules tailored to unconventional binding sites. Revolution Medicines understanding of genetic drivers and adaptive resistance mechanisms in cancer, coupled with robust drug discovery and medicinal chemistry capabilities, has guided it to establish a deep pipeline targeting critical signaling nodes within the RAS pathway and associated pathways. This cohesive approach underpins its clinical strategy of exploring mechanism-based dosing paradigms and in-pathway combinations to optimize treatment for cancer patients.
Revolution Medicines research and development pipeline comprises RAS(ON) inhibitors that bind directly to RAS variants, which it refers to as RAS(ON) Inhibitors, and RAS companion inhibitors that target key nodes in the RAS pathway or associated pathways, which it refer to as RAS Companion Inhibitors. Revolution Medicines RAS Companion Inhibitors are designed primarily for combination treatment strategies involving one or more therapeutic agents, which particularly may include our RAS(ON) Inhibitors. Revolution Medicines long-term goal is to combine our RAS(ON) Inhibitors with selected RAS Companion Inhibitors or other therapies on behalf of patients based on molecular tumor features.
Revolution Medicines principal executive office is located at 700 Saginaw Drive, Redwood City, California 94063. Its telephone number is (650) 481-6801.
Equinox Merger Sub, Inc.
Merger Sub I, a newly formed, direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines, is a Delaware corporation that was formed on July 21, 2023, for the sole purpose of effecting the mergers. Merger Sub I has not conducted any activities other than those incidental to its formation and the matters contemplated by the merger agreement.
Equinox Merger Sub II LLC
Merger Sub II, a newly formed, direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines, is a Delaware limited liability company that was formed on July 21, 2023, for the sole purpose of effecting the mergers. Merger Sub II has not conducted any activities other than those incidental to its formation and the matters contemplated by the merger agreement.
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EQRx, Inc.
EQRx is a biopharmaceutical company with a focus on developing and commercializing innovative medicines for some of the most prevalent disease areas, including cancer and immune-inflammatory conditions. EQRxs principal executive office is located at 50 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139. Its telephone number is (617) 315-2255.
The Revolution Medicines Special Meeting (Page 51)
The Revolution Medicines special meeting will be held on [●], 2023, at [●], Pacific Time, at the Revolution Medicines special meeting website, at [●]. The purposes of the Revolution Medicines special meeting are as follows:
| Revolution Medicines Proposal #1: Revolution Medicines Share Issuance Proposal. To consider and vote on the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal; and |
| Revolution Medicines Proposal #2: Revolution Medicines Adjournment Proposal. To consider and vote on the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal. |
Completion of the mergers is conditioned on the approval of the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal by Revolution Medicines stockholders. Approval of the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal is not a condition to the obligation of either Revolution Medicines or EQRx to complete the mergers.
Only holders of record of issued and outstanding shares of Revolution Medicines common stock as of the close of business on [●], 2023, the record date for the Revolution Medicines special meeting, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Revolution Medicines special meeting. Revolution Medicines stockholders may cast one vote for each share of Revolution Medicines common stock that Revolution Medicines stockholders held as of that record date.
Assuming a quorum is present at the Revolution Medicines special meeting, approval of the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) at the Revolution Medicines special meeting on the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal. An abstention, a broker non-vote or the failure of a Revolution Medicines stockholder not present at the meeting to vote will have no effect on the outcome of the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal.
Assuming a quorum is present at the Revolution Medicines special meeting, approval of the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) at the Revolution Medicines special meeting on the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal. An abstention, a broker non-vote or the failure of a Revolution Medicines stockholder not present at the meeting to vote will have no effect on the outcome of the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal.
The EQRx Special Meeting (Page 60)
The EQRx special meeting will be held on [●], 2023, at [●], Eastern Time, at the EQRx special meeting website, at [●]. The purposes of the EQRx special meeting are as follows:
| EQRx Proposal #1: Adoption of the Merger Agreement. To consider and vote on a proposal to adopt the merger agreement; |
| EQRx Proposal #2: EQRx Compensation Proposal. To consider and vote on a non-binding, advisory basis, on the compensation that will or may be payable to EQRxs named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; and |
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| EQRx Proposal #3: Adjournment of the EQRx Special Meeting. To adjourn the EQRx special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to adopt the merger agreement at the time of the EQRx special meeting. |
Completion of the mergers is conditioned on the approval of the EQRx merger agreement proposal by EQRx stockholders. Approval of either of the EQRx compensation proposal or the EQRx adjournment proposal is not a condition to the obligation of either Revolution Medicines or EQRx to complete the mergers.
Only holders of record of outstanding shares of EQRx common stock as of the close of business on [●], 2023, the record date for the EQRx special meeting, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the EQRx special meeting. EQRx stockholders may cast one vote for each share of EQRx common stock that EQRx stockholders held as of that record date.
Assuming a quorum is present at the EQRx special meeting, approval of the EQRx merger agreement proposal by EQRx stockholders requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of EQRx common stock entitled to vote at the EQRx special meeting. An abstention, a broker non-vote or the failure of an EQRx stockholder to vote (including the failure of an EQRx stockholder who holds shares in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee to give voting instructions to that bank, broker or other nominee) will have the same effect as a vote cast AGAINST the proposal to adopt the merger agreement.
Assuming a quorum is present at the EQRx special meeting, approval of the EQRx compensation proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes properly cast for and against the EQRx compensation proposal. An abstention, a broker non-vote or the failure of an EQRx stockholder to vote (including the failure of an EQRx stockholder who holds shares in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee to give voting instructions to that bank, broker or other nominee) will have no effect on the outcome of the EQRx compensation proposal.
Assuming a quorum is present at the EQRx special meeting, approval of the EQRx adjournment proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes properly cast for and against the EQRx adjournment proposal. An abstention, a broker non-vote or the failure of an EQRx stockholder to vote (including the failure of an EQRx stockholder who holds shares in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee to give voting instructions to that bank, broker or other nominee) will have no effect on the outcome of the EQRx adjournment proposal.
The Mergers and the Merger Agreement (Pages 70 and 130)
The terms and conditions of the mergers are contained in the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached as Annex A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus. You are encouraged to read the merger agreement carefully and in its entirety, as it is the primary legal document that governs the mergers.
Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, (i) Merger Sub I will merge with and into EQRx, referred to as the first merger, with EQRx as the surviving corporation in the first merger and (ii) as soon as practicable after the first merger and as the second step in a single integrated transaction with the first merger, EQRx will merge with and into Merger Sub II, referred to as the second merger, with Merger Sub II as the surviving company in the second merger and continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines. The first merger and the second merger together are referred to as the mergers.
Following the mergers, EQRx common stock will be delisted from the Nasdaq Global, deregistered under the Exchange Act and will cease to be publicly traded.
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Merger Consideration (Page 131)
At the effective time, by virtue of the first merger and without any further action on the part of Revolution Medicines, Merger Sub I, EQRx, or any stockholder of EQRx or Merger Sub I, each share of EQRx common stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (other than excluded EQRx shares) will be converted into the right to receive a number of validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Revolution Medicines common stock equal to the exchange ratio, which shares of Revolution Medicines common stock (in the aggregate) are referred to as the merger consideration. No fractional shares of Revolution Medicines common stock will be issued as merger consideration, and EQRx stockholders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares as part of the merger consideration, as specified in the merger agreement and as further described in the section titled The Merger AgreementTreatment of Fractional Shares of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. At the effective time, all excluded EQRx shares will be cancelled and retired and will cease to exist, and no consideration will be delivered in exchange for such shares.
The exchange ratio will be determined by dividing (i) the aggregate number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued as merger consideration by (ii) the number of shares of EQRx common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time, determined in accordance with the merger agreement, as further described in the section titled The Merger AgreementMerger Consideration of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The exchange ratio is floating, which means that it will change between now and the date of the EQRx special meeting, depending upon the pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP. The exchange ratio will be calculated promptly following the determination of the pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP, which will be known following the closing of the Nasdaq Select market on the sixth business day prior to the scheduled EQRx special meeting date as set forth in the notice of meeting included in the definitive form of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. EQRx and Revolution Medicines will publicly disclose the exchange ratio pursuant to a press release and/or the filing of Current Reports on Form 8-K with the SEC. See the section titled Where You Can Find More Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The market price of Revolution Medicines common stock has fluctuated since the date of the announcement of the merger agreement and may continue to fluctuate from the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus to the date of the special meetings, the date the mergers are completed and thereafter. The market price of Revolution Medicines common stock, when received by EQRx equityholders after the mergers are completed, could be greater than, less than or the same as the market price of Revolution Medicines common stock on the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus or at the time of the special meetings.
Accordingly, you should obtain current market quotations for Revolution Medicines common stock and EQRx common stock before deciding how to vote with respect to any of the proposals described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Revolution Medicines common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Select under the symbol RVMD and EQRx common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global under the symbol EQRX.
Treatment of EQRx Equity Awards, EQRx Warrants and the EQRx Earn-Out (Page 132)
EQRx Equity Awards
The vesting and exercisability of each EQRx option and the vesting of each share of EQRx restricted stock will be accelerated in full as of immediately prior to the effective time. Prior to the effective time, each holder of EQRx options will be provided the opportunity to exercise the holders EQRx options, whether or not vested, for a period determined by the EQRx board of directors that ends on or prior to the tenth business day prior to the scheduled EQRx special meeting date, provided that the exercise of any unvested EQRx option that will vest as described in this paragraph will be conditioned on the occurrence of the effective time. EQRx must take all
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actions necessary to prohibit exercise of EQRx options after the tenth business day prior to the EQRx special meeting date.
At the effective time:
| each in-the-money EQRx option, will be cancelled and converted automatically into the right to receive a number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock based on the exchange ratio after taking into account the exercise price (all EQRx options that do not constitute in-the-money EQRx options will be terminated at the effective time for no consideration); |
| each EQRx RSU (other than earn-out RSUs), outstanding immediately prior to the effective time, whether or not vested, will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive shares of Revolution Medicines common stock based on the exchange ratio (earn-out RSUs will be cancelled as of the closing of the mergers for no consideration); and |
| each outstanding share of EQRx restricted stock that is accelerated in full immediately prior to the effective time will be treated the same as all other outstanding shares of EQRx common stock under the merger agreement. |
The amount of any required withholding (as described further in The Merger AgreementWithholding Rights) with respect to in-the-money EQRx options, EQRx RSUs and shares of EQRx restricted stock that are converted into shares of Revolution Medicines common stock at the effective time will be satisfied by selling shares of Revolution Medicines common stock and remitting the proceeds to the proper taxing authorities through Revolution Medicines.
Treatment of EQRx Warrants
At the effective time, each EQRx warrant, will, in accordance with its terms, automatically cease to represent a warrant exercisable for EQRx common stock and will become a warrant exercisable for the merger consideration that the holder of such EQRx warrant would have received if such EQRx warrant had been exercised immediately prior to the effective time. For the avoidance of doubt, no holder of an EQRx warrant will be entitled to receive any merger consideration in exchange for such EQRx warrant.
Treatment of EQRx Earn-Out
Each share of EQRx common stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time and held in escrow subject to the EQRx earn-out will be converted in the same manner as all other shares of EQRx common stock under the merger agreement.
Prior to signing the merger agreement, EQRx delivered signed waiver and release agreements from Legacy EQRx stockholders holding rights with respect to at least a majority of the shares subject to the EQRx earn-out, pursuant to which such holders have waived (effective immediately prior to the effective time) their respective rights to receive the applicable shares subject to the EQRx earn-out and any other right with respect to the EQRx earn-out. EQRx may obtain additional waiver and release agreements prior to the EQRx special meeting.
The EQRx earn-out is discussed further in the section titled The Merger AgreementMerger Consideration and The Merger AgreementEQRx Earn-Out of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Revolution Medicines Recommendation and Reasons for the Mergers (Page 92)
The Revolution Medicines board of directors recommends that Revolution Medicines stockholders vote FOR the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and FOR the Revolution Medicines adjournment
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proposal. In its determinations and in reaching its recommendations, the Revolution Medicines board of directors consulted with Revolution Medicines senior management and its outside legal and financial advisors, and considered a number of factors and a substantial amount of information, including, but not limited to, the following factors (not necessarily presented in order of relative importance) that weighed in favor of the mergers:
| the expectation that Revolution Medicines will, upon completion of the mergers, gain more than $1 billion in additional capital, enhancing its balance sheet, thereby increasing its go-forward financial certainty; |
| the expectation that the additional capital will reinforce and sustain Revolution Medicines robust research and development initiatives, including its parallel development approach for its RAS(ON) Inhibitor pipeline and position Revolution Medicines to be able to maximize the potential clinical impact of its targeted drug pipeline across multiple oncology indications, among other things; |
| the potential of the factors above to create stockholder value while enhancing Revolution Medicines flexibility to retain strategic control of its RAS(ON) Inhibitor pipeline; |
| the favorability of the mergers relative to other potential strategic, operational and financial strategies, particularly in light of Revolution Medicines business and potential capital needs; |
| the favorability of the structure of the mergers relative to financing alternatives; and |
| the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, taken as a whole. |
For a more complete description of the factors considered by the Revolution Medicines board of directors in reaching this decision, including potentially negative factors against which these advantages and opportunities were weighed, and additional information on the recommendation of the Revolution Medicines board of directors, see the section titled The MergersRecommendation of the Revolution Medicines Board of Directors; Revolution Medicines Reasons for the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
EQRxs Recommendation and Reasons for the Mergers (Page 96)
The EQRx board of directors recommends that EQRx stockholders vote FOR the EQRx merger agreement proposal, FOR the EQRx compensation proposal, and FOR the EQRx adjournment proposal. In its determinations and in reaching its recommendations, the EQRx board of directors received the recommendation of the transaction committee of the EQRx board of directors, referred to as the EQRx transaction committee, consulted with EQRx senior management and its outside legal and financial advisors, and considered a number of factors and a substantial amount of information.
For a description of the factors considered by the EQRx board of directors in reaching this decision, including potentially negative factors against which the anticipated advantages and opportunities of the mergers were weighed, and additional information on the recommendation of the EQRx board of directors, see the section titled The MergersRecommendation of the EQRx Board of Directors; EQRxs Reasons for the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Opinion of MTS, EQRxs Financial Advisor (Page 108 and Annex B)
EQRx retained MTS Health Partners, L.P., referred to as MTS, as its financial advisor in connection with the mergers (including the delivery of the MTS opinion, defined below). On July 31, 2023, MTS Securities, LLC, an affiliate of MTS, referred to as MTS Securities, rendered its oral opinion to the EQRx board of directors (which was subsequently confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated July 31, 2023) that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the various assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and
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qualifications and limitations set forth in such written opinion, the exchange ratio to be received by the EQRx stockholders (other than Revolution Medicines or any of its affiliates or any holders of excluded shares) pursuant to the mergers was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.
The full text of the written opinion of MTS Securities, which is referred to as the MTS opinion, sets forth the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by MTS Securities in connection with its opinion. The MTS opinion is attached as Annex B to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. The summary of the MTS opinion set forth in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the MTS opinion. We urge you to read carefully the MTS opinion, together with the summary thereof in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, in its entirety.
MTS Securities provided its opinion for the information and assistance of the EQRx board of directors in connection with its consideration of the exchange ratio. The MTS opinion addressed solely the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the exchange ratio to be received by the holders of shares of EQRx common stock (other than Revolution Medicines or any of its affiliates or any holders of excluded shares) pursuant to the mergers and does not address any other aspect or implication of the mergers. The MTS opinion was not a recommendation to the EQRx board of directors as to how to vote in connection with the merger agreement and is not a recommendation to any EQRx stockholder to take any action in connection with the mergers or any other matter.
Interests of Revolution Medicines Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers (Page 117)
In considering the recommendations of the Revolution Medicines board of directors, Revolution Medicines stockholders should be aware that a member of the Revolution Medicines board of directors, Alexis Borisy, is Executive Chairman of the EQRx board of directors and a co-founder of EQRx. Given Mr. Borisys role at EQRx and his ownership of securities of EQRx, Mr. Borisy has interests in the mergers, including financial interests that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of other Revolution Medicines stockholders generally. See also the sections titled The MergersInterests of EQRxs Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers and Certain Beneficial Owners of EQRx Common Stock for more information regarding Mr. Borisys interests in the mergers and ownership in EQRx. Mr. Borisy recused himself from all meetings (or portions thereof) of the Revolution Medicines board of directors and committees thereof in which the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement were discussed. Further, the Revolution Medicines board of directors was aware of and considered Mr. Borisys interests in the mergers and ownership in EQRx, among other matters, in reaching its determination that the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the mergers, were fair to and in the best interests of Revolution Medicines and its stockholders, approving and declaring advisable the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, and recommending that Revolution Medicines stockholders approve of the issuance of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock pursuant to the mergers.
Interests of EQRxs Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers (Page 118)
In considering the recommendations of the EQRx board of directors, EQRx stockholders should be aware that EQRx directors and executive officers have interests in the mergers, including financial interests that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of other EQRx stockholders generally. The EQRx board of directors was aware of and considered such interests, among other matters, in reaching its decision to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.
These interests include, among others:
| The merger agreement provides for the acceleration of vesting of all EQRx options and EQRx restricted stock, and EQRxs executive officers may also receive accelerated vesting of EQRx options, |
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EQRx RSUs and EQRx restricted stock upon a termination of their employment by EQRx without cause or by their resignation for good reason after the date of the merger agreement; |
| EQRx executive officers will be entitled to merger consideration in respect of vested and unvested EQRx RSUs (other than earn-out RSUs); |
| EQRxs executive officers are eligible to receive certain severance payments or benefits in the event of a termination of their employment by EQRx without cause or by their resignation for good reason or subject to their continued employment as of immediately prior to the closing of the mergers and delivery of a release of claims; |
| EQRxs executive officers will receive acceleration of cash retention bonuses and a cash bonus with respect to the 2023 fiscal year (the latter pro-rated if the closing occurs prior to the regular payment date); |
| EQRxs directors and executive officers are entitled to continued indemnification and insurance coverage under the merger agreement; |
| The merger agreement provides for one member of the EQRx board of directors to become a director of the Revolution Medicines board of directors following the mergers; and |
| As described above, Mr. Borisy, Executive Chairman of EQRx, is also a director of Revolution Medicines. |
For more information, see the sections titled The MergersInterests of EQRxs Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers and The MergersBackground of the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Regulatory Approvals (Page 127)
Each party to the merger agreement has agreed to use reasonable best efforts to file, as soon as practicable after the date of the merger agreement, all notices, reports and other documents required to be filed by such party with any governmental body with respect to the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement (if any), and to submit promptly any additional information requested by any such governmental body. For more information, see the information provided in the section titled The MergersRegulatory Approvals of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Governance and Ownership of Revolution Medicines After Completion of the Mergers (Page 126 and Annex A)
The merger agreement, a copy of which is attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A, contains certain provisions relating to the governance of Revolution Medicines following completion of the mergers.
Directors and Management of Revolution Medicines After Completion of the Mergers
The merger agreement provides that Revolution Medicines will take all actions as may be necessary to add one director designated by EQRx, who is expected to be Sandra J. Horning, M.D., to the Revolution Medicines board of directors at the effective time with a term expiring at the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders of Revolution Medicines.
Except for the addition of the one director designated by EQRx to the Revolution Medicines board of directors, there will be no change to the members of the Revolution Medicines board of directors or executive officers as a result of the mergers. Mark A. Goldsmith, M.D., Ph.D. will continue to serve as Chair of the Revolution Medicines board of directors and Chief Executive Officer of Revolution Medicines.
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Ownership of Revolution Medicines After Completion of the Mergers
As of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, based on the number of shares of EQRx and Revolution Medicines common stock outstanding as of [●], 2023, the latest practicable date prior to the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and assuming that the exchange ratio is [●], as determined based on the volume-weighted average price per share of Revolution Medicines common stock for the five trading days ending on [●], 2023, holders of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock as of immediately prior to the completion of the first merger would hold, in the aggregate, approximately [●]% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the combined company (based on fully diluted shares outstanding of the combined company including equity awards (using the treasury stock method)) immediately following the completion of the first merger, and holders of shares of EQRx common stock as of immediately prior to the completion of the first merger would hold, in the aggregate, approximately [●]% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the combined company (based on fully diluted shares outstanding of the combined company including equity awards (using the treasury stock method)) immediately following the completion of the first merger. The actual equity ownership of Revolution Medicines stockholders and EQRx stockholders in the combined company immediately following the first merger will depend on the pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP and the number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock and EQRx common stock outstanding immediately prior to the first merger.
Certain Beneficial Owners of Revolution Medicines Common Stock (Page 193)
At the close of business on August 31, 2023, directors and executive officers of Revolution Medicines and their affiliates beneficially owned and were entitled to vote approximately 6,043,515 shares of Revolution Medicines common stock, collectively representing 5.5% of the shares of Revolution Medicines common stock outstanding on August 31, 2023. Revolution Medicines currently expects that all of its directors and executive officers will vote their shares FOR the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and FOR the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal. For more information regarding the security ownership of Revolution Medicines directors and executive officers, see the information provided in the section titled Certain Beneficial Owners of Revolution Medicines Common StockSecurity Ownership of Revolution Medicines Directors and Executive Officers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Concurrently with the execution of the merger agreement, certain directors, executive officers and significant stockholders of Revolution Medicines entered into voting agreements with EQRx. The Revolution Medicines supporting stockholders who are parties to the Revolution Medicines voting agreements held approximately 5.5% of the outstanding shares of Revolution Medicines common stock on the Revolution Medicines record date. For more information regarding the Revolution Medicines voting agreements, see the sections titled The Ancillary AgreementsRevolution Medicines Voting Agreements of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Certain Beneficial Owners of EQRx Common Stock (Page 197)
At the close of business on August 31, 2023, directors and executive officers of EQRx beneficially owned and were entitled to vote approximately 29,794,394 shares of EQRx common stock, collectively representing 6.1% of the shares of EQRx common stock outstanding on August 31, 2023. EQRx currently expects that all of its directors and executive officers will vote their shares FOR the EQRx merger agreement proposal, FOR the EQRx compensation proposal, and FOR the EQRx adjournment proposal. For more information regarding the security ownership of EQRx and executive officers, see the information provided in the section titled Certain Beneficial Owners of EQRx Common StockSecurity Ownership of EQRx Directors and Executive Officers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Concurrently with the execution of the merger agreement, certain directors, executive officers and significant stockholders of EQRx entered into voting agreements with Revolution Medicines. The supporting
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EQRx stockholders who are parties to the EQRx voting agreements held approximately [●]% of the outstanding shares of EQRx common stock on the EQRx record date. For more information regarding the Revolution Medicines voting agreements, see the sections titled The Ancillary AgreementsEQRx Voting Agreements of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Cooperation; Efforts to Consummate (Page 147)
Each party to the merger agreement must use reasonable best efforts to file, as soon as practicable after the date of the merger agreement, all notices, reports and other documents required to be filed by such party with any governmental body with respect to the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement (if any), and to submit promptly any additional information requested by any such governmental body.
Revolution Medicines and EQRx have agreed to:
| consult and cooperate with one another, and consider in good faith the views of one another, in connection with, and provide to the other in advance (to the extent legally permissible), any analyses, presentations, memoranda, briefs, arguments, opinions and proposals made or submitted by or on behalf of any party to the merger agreement in connection with proceedings under or related to any filing; |
| give each other prompt notice of the commencement or known threat of commencement of any legal proceeding by or before any governmental body with respect to the mergers or any other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, keep the other party reasonably informed as to the status of any such legal proceeding or threat, and in connection with any such legal proceeding, to permit representatives of the other party to be present at each meeting or conference relating to any such legal proceeding and to have access to and be consulted in connection with any document, opinion or proposal made or submitted to any governmental body in connection with any such legal proceeding; |
| use reasonable best efforts to take all actions necessary or advisable to satisfy the conditions to consummating the mergers, including (i) making all filings (if any) and give all notices (if any) required to be made and given by such party in connection with the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, (ii) using reasonable best efforts to obtain each consent (if any) required to be obtained (pursuant to any applicable law or contract, or otherwise) by such party in connection with the mergers or any of the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and (iii) using reasonable best efforts to lift any restraint, injunction or other legal bar to the mergers; and |
| use reasonable best efforts to take all actions necessary or advisable to satisfy the conditions to consummating the mergers. |
In addition, Revolution Medicines and EQRx have made certain agreements with respect to any filings required to be made under the HSR Act or other antitrust laws, if determined to be applicable, which are described further in the section titled The Merger AgreementCooperation; Efforts to Consummate of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Revolution Medicines and EQRx have determined that, at the time of filing the registration statement of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part, no filing is required under the HSR Act in connection with the mergers or the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.
No Appraisal Rights (Page 56)
EQRx stockholders are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the mergers under the DGCL.
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Conditions to the Completion of the Mergers (Page 153)
Mutual Conditions
Each partys obligation to effect the mergers and consummate the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement is subject to the satisfaction or waiver at or prior to closing of each of the following conditions:
| receipt of the required Revolution Medicines stockholder approval and the required EQRx stockholder approval; |
| in the event that a filing is required under the HSR Act, the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period; |
| receipt of any governmental authorization or consent required to be obtained under applicable law; |
| the absence of (i) any temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order and (ii) any law enacted, promulgated or deemed applicable that, in each case, has the effect of restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the mergers; |
| the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part and the absence of any stop order issued by the SEC suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement; and |
| the approval for listing on the Nasdaq Select of the shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued in the first merger. |
Conditions to Obligations of Revolution Medicines and the Merger Subs
Revolution Medicines and the Merger Subs obligation to effect the mergers and consummate the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement is subject to the satisfaction or waiver at or prior to closing of each of the following conditions:
| the accuracy of the representations and warranties of EQRx to the extent required under the merger agreement; |
| EQRxs compliance with and performance of its covenants and obligations under the merger agreement in all material respects; |
| the absence of any continuing material adverse effect with respect to EQRx; and |
| the receipt of a certificate executed by a senior executive officer of EQRx confirming that the foregoing conditions have been satisfied. |
Conditions to Obligations of EQRx
EQRxs obligation to effect the mergers and consummate the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement is subject to the satisfaction or waiver at or prior to closing of each of the following conditions:
| the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Revolution Medicines, Merger Sub I and Merger Sub II to the extent required under the merger agreement; |
| Revolution Medicines, Merger Sub Is and Merger Sub IIs compliance with and performance of their covenants and obligations under the merger agreement in all material respects; |
| the absence of any continuing material adverse effect with respect to Revolution Medicines; |
| the receipt of a certificate executed by a senior executive officer of Revolution Medicines confirming that the foregoing conditions have been satisfied; and |
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| the EQRx board of directors designee must have been appointed to the Revolution Medicines board of directors in accordance with the merger agreement, such appointment to be effective immediately following the effective time. |
No Solicitation or Negotiation of Acquisition Proposals (Page 141)
Revolution Medicines and EQRx have each agreed that, with respect to such party, they will not, and that they will cause their respective subsidiaries and their and their respective subsidiaries representatives not to, directly or indirectly, from the date of the merger agreement until the effective time (or the earlier termination of the merger agreement):
| solicit, initiate, induce or knowingly encourage or facilitate any inquiries or the making of any proposal or offer that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, an acquisition proposal; |
| subject to certain standard exceptions, participate in any discussions or negotiations or knowingly cooperate in any way with any person regarding any proposal or offer, the consummation of which would constitute an acquisition proposal; |
| knowingly provide any non-public information or data concerning such party or any of its subsidiaries to any person in connection with any proposal, the consummation of which would constitute an acquisition proposal or for the purpose of soliciting, initiating, inducing or knowingly encouraging or facilitating an acquisition proposal; |
| enter into any binding or nonbinding letter of intent, term sheet, memorandum of understanding, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, agreement in principle, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement, lease agreement or other similar agreement (other than an acceptable confidentiality agreement entered into in accordance with the merger agreement) with respect to an acquisition proposal or any proposal or offer that could reasonably be expected to lead to an acquisition proposal; |
| adopt, approve or recommend or make any public statement approving or recommending any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, an acquisition proposal; |
| take any action or exempt any person from the restriction on business combinations or any similar provision contained in applicable takeover laws or EQRxs organizational or other governing documents; or |
| resolve, publicly propose or agree to do any of the foregoing. |
Notwithstanding the limitations described above, prior to the time, but not after, in the case of EQRx, the required EQRx stockholder approval is obtained or, in the case of Revolution Medicines, the required Revolution Medicines stockholder approval is obtained, Revolution Medicines or EQRx, as applicable, may, in accordance with the merger agreement, (i) provide access to non-public information regarding such party and its subsidiaries to the person who made such acquisition proposal (provided that such information has previously been made available to the other party or is provided to the other party substantially concurrently with the making of such information available to such person and that, prior to furnishing any such non-public information, such party receives from the person making such acquisition proposal an executed acceptable confidentiality agreement entered into in accordance with the merger agreement); and (ii) engage or participate in any discussions or negotiations with any such person regarding such acquisition proposal; if, and only if, prior to taking any action described in clause (i) or (ii) above, such partys board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that (x) such acquisition proposal constitutes a superior proposal or would reasonably be expected to lead to a superior proposal, and (y) the failure to take such action would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with the directors fiduciary duties under applicable law.
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See the section titled The Merger AgreementNo Solicitation or Negotiation of Acquisition Proposals of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for more information.
No Change in Recommendation (Page 143)
Subject to certain exceptions described below, neither the Revolution Medicines board of directors nor the EQRx board of directors, including any committee thereof, may make a change in recommendation, as described in the section titled The Merger AgreementNo Change in Recommendation of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Permitted Change in RecommendationIntervening Event
The Revolution Medicines board of directors or the EQRx board of directors, as applicable, may, prior to the time, in the case of Revolution Medicines, the required Revolution Medicines stockholder approval is obtained or, in the case of EQRx, the required EQRx stockholder approval is obtained, make a change in recommendation if (i) an intervening event described in the merger agreement has occurred, (ii) such partys board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that, in light of such intervening event and taking into account any revised terms proposed in writing by the other party through the procedures set forth in the merger agreement, the failure to make a change in recommendation would be inconsistent with the directors fiduciary duties under applicable law and (iii) certain other conditions are met, as described in the section titled The Merger AgreementNo Change in Recommendation of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Permitted Change in RecommendationSuperior Proposal
The Revolution Medicines board of directors or EQRx board of directors, as applicable, may, prior to the time, in the case of Revolution Medicines, the required Revolution Medicines stockholder approval is obtained or, in the case of EQRx, the required EQRx stockholder approval is obtained, make a change in recommendation if, following (x) receipt by Revolution Medicines or EQRx, as applicable, of an unsolicited, bona fide written acquisition proposal in accordance with the merger agreement and with respect to which such party has received a written, definitive form of alternative acquisition agreement that has not been withdrawn, and (y) such partys board of directors determining in good faith, after consultation with outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that such acquisition proposal constitutes a superior proposal, the Revolution Medicines board of directors or EQRx board of directors, (i) such partys board of directors then determines in good faith, after consultation with outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that, in light of such superior proposal and taking into account any revised terms proposed in writing by the other party through the procedures set forth in the merger agreement, such superior proposal continues to constitute a superior proposal and that the failure to make such a change in recommendation would be inconsistent with the directors fiduciary duties under applicable law and (ii) certain other conditions are met, as described in the section titled The Merger AgreementNo Change in Recommendation of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Neither Revolution Medicines nor EQRx will submit to the vote of its stockholders an acquisition proposal or a superior proposal prior to the termination of the merger agreement.
Termination of the Merger Agreement (Page 155)
Termination by Mutual Consent
The merger agreement may be terminated and the mergers may be abandoned at any time prior to the effective time by mutual written consent of Revolution Medicines and EQRx.
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Termination by Either Revolution Medicines or EQRx
Either Revolution Medicines or EQRx may terminate the merger agreement and the mergers may be abandoned at any time prior to the effective time if:
| the first merger has not been consummated prior to 12:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on January 31, 2024, which is referred to as the end date; |
| a court of competent jurisdiction or other governmental body has issued a final and nonappealable order, or has taken any other action, or any law has been enacted, promulgated or enforced having the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the mergers; |
| the required EQRx stockholder approval has not been obtained at the EQRx special meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof at which a final vote on the EQRx merger agreement proposal was taken; or |
| the required Revolution Medicines stockholder approval has not been obtained at the Revolution Medicines special meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof at which a final vote on the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal was taken. |
Termination by Revolution Medicines
Revolution Medicines may terminate the merger agreement and the mergers may be abandoned at any time prior to the effective time if:
| at any time prior to the required EQRx stockholder approval having been obtained, (i) the EQRx board of directors shall have made a change in recommendation, (ii) EQRx shall have entered into any letter of intent or similar document or any contract relating to an acquisition proposal (other than an acceptable confidentiality agreement entered into in accordance with the merger agreement), or (iii) EQRx shall have materially breached or failed to perform in any material respect its obligations set forth in the merger agreement regarding non-solicitation and no change in recommendation; |
| at any time prior to the required Revolution Medicines stockholder approval having been obtained, (i) the Revolution Medicines board of directors authorizes Revolution Medicines (in accordance with the merger agreement) to enter into a definitive alternative acquisition agreement with respect to a superior proposal, (ii) concurrently with the termination of the merger agreement, Revolution Medicines does enter into such alternative acquisition agreement with respect to a superior proposal, and (iii) prior to or concurrently with such termination, Revolution Medicines pays EQRx the applicable termination fee required to be paid pursuant to the merger agreement; or |
| at any time prior to the effective time, there has been a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by EQRx, or any such representation and warranty has become untrue after the date of the merger agreement, such that any of the related closing conditions to be satisfied by EQRx would not then be satisfied and such breach or failure is not curable or, if curable, is not cured within the time periods provided in the merger agreement. |
Termination by EQRx
EQRx may terminate the merger agreement and the mergers may be abandoned at any time prior to the effective time if:
| at any time prior to the required Revolution Medicines stockholder approval having been obtained, (i) the Revolution Medicines board of directors shall have made a change in recommendation, (ii) Revolution Medicines shall have entered into any letter of intent or similar document or any |
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contract relating to an acquisition proposal (other than an acceptable confidentiality agreement entered into in accordance with the merger agreement), or (iii) Revolution Medicines shall have materially breached or failed to perform in any material respect its obligations set forth in the merger agreement regarding non-solicitation and no change in recommendation; |
| at any time prior to the required EQRx stockholder approval having been obtained, (i) the EQRx board of directors authorizes EQRx (in accordance with the merger agreement) to enter into a definitive alternative acquisition agreement with respect to a superior proposal, (ii) concurrently with the termination of the merger agreement, EQRx does enter into such alternative acquisition agreement with respect to a superior proposal, and (iii) prior to or concurrently with such termination, EQRx pays Revolution Medicines the applicable termination fee required to be paid pursuant to the merger agreement; or |
| at any time prior to the effective time, there has been a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by Revolution Medicines, or any such representation and warranty has become untrue after the date of the merger agreement, such that any of the related closing conditions to be satisfied by Revolution Medicines would not then be satisfied and such breach or failure is not curable or, if curable, is not cured within the time periods provided in the merger agreement. |
For a more complete description of the foregoing termination rights, see the information provided in the section titled The Merger AgreementTermination of the Merger Agreement of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Termination Fees (Page 157)
Revolution Medicines Termination Fee
Revolution Medicines will be required to pay to EQRx a termination fee of $65,000,000 if the merger agreement is terminated:
| by EQRx, due to the Revolution Medicines board of directors making a change in recommendation; |
| by Revolution Medicines, in connection with the entry by Revolution Medicines into an alternative acquisition agreement with respect to a superior proposal; |
| by Revolution Medicines or EQRx, due to the required Revolution Medicines stockholder approval not being obtained following a change in recommendation by the Revolution Medicines board of directors; or |
| by Revolution Medicines or EQRx, due to the required Revolution Medicines stockholder approval not being obtained if (i) at or prior to the Revolution Medicines special meeting an acquisition proposal in favor of Revolution Medicines has been submitted or made (whether or not publicly disclosed or announced) and not withdrawn and (ii) on or prior to the first anniversary of the termination of the merger agreement, either (a) a transaction contemplated by such acquisition proposal is consummated by the person(s) submitting such acquisition proposal or (b) a definitive agreement relating to such acquisition proposal is entered into by Revolution Medicines or any of its subsidiaries with the person(s) submitting such acquisition proposal, provided that for this purpose, all references to 20% in the definition of acquisition proposal are deemed to be references to 50%. |
EQRx Termination Fee
EQRx will be required to pay to Revolution Medicines a termination fee of $25,000,000 if the merger agreement is terminated:
| by Revolution Medicines, due to the EQRx board of directors making a change in recommendation; |
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| by EQRx, in connection with the entry by EQRx into an alternative acquisition agreement with respect to a superior proposal; |
| by EQRx or Revolution Medicines, due to the required EQRx stockholder approval not being obtained following a change in recommendation by the EQRx board of directors; or |
| by EQRx or Revolution Medicines, due to the required EQRx stockholder approval not being obtained if (i) at or prior to the EQRx special meeting an acquisition proposal in favor of EQRx has been submitted or made (whether or not publicly disclosed or announced) and not withdrawn and (ii) on or prior to the first anniversary of the termination of the merger agreement, either (a) a transaction contemplated by such acquisition proposal is consummated by the person(s) submitting such acquisition proposal or (b) a definitive agreement relating to such acquisition proposal is entered into by EQRx or any of its subsidiaries with the person(s) submitting such acquisition proposal, provided that for this purpose, all references to 20% in the definition of acquisition proposal are deemed to be references to 50%. |
Expense Reimbursement
If the merger agreement is terminated due to the failure to obtain either the required Revolution Medicines stockholder approval or the required EQRx stockholder approval under circumstances in which a termination fee described above is not payable, the party who did not receive the applicable required stockholder approval will be required to reimburse the other party for all of the other partys reasonable, documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including all reasonable, documented fees and expenses of counsel, accountants, investment bankers, experts and consultants to the other party) in connection with or related to the authorization, investigation, negotiation, execution and performance of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, up to $10,000,000. Any paid expense reimbursement will be credited against any termination fee that later becomes payable, if applicable.
Voting Agreements
Revolution Medicines Voting Agreements
Concurrently with the execution of the merger agreement, certain directors, executive officers and significant stockholders of Revolution Medicines entered into voting agreements with EQRx, each in substantially similar form, which are referred to as the Revolution Medicines voting agreements. The agreements made by such Revolution Medicines supporting stockholders are made with respect to all shares of Revolution Medicines common stock owned of record or beneficially by such Revolution Medicines supporting stockholders as of the date of the merger agreement, together with any additional shares of Revolution Medicines common stock or other voting securities of Revolution Medicines of which such Revolution Medicines supporting stockholders acquire beneficial ownership after the date of the merger agreement but prior to the earlier to occur of (i) the effective time and (ii) such time as the merger agreement is validly terminated in accordance with its terms, which are referred to collectively as the covered Revolution Medicines shares.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Revolution Medicines voting agreements, from the date of the merger agreement until the termination of the Revolution Medicines voting agreements in accordance with their respective terms, each of the Revolution Medicines supporting stockholders agreed to:
| be represented in person or by proxy at each meeting of the stockholders of Revolution Medicines, or adjournment or postponement thereof, in order for their respective covered Revolution Medicines shares to be counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum; and |
| at each meeting of the stockholders of Revolution Medicines, or adjournment or postponement thereof, or with respect to any action or approval of the stockholders of Revolution Medicines by written |
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consent, with respect to the applicable matters, vote their respective covered Revolution Medicines shares (i) in favor of the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and (ii) against (a) any action or agreement that would reasonably be expected to result in any of the conditions to Revolution Medicines obligations under the merger agreement not being fulfilled and (b) any Revolution Medicines acquisition proposal, or any agreement, transaction or other matter that is intended to, or would reasonably be expected to, materially impede, materially interfere with or materially and adversely affect the consummation of the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. |
The Revolution Medicines voting agreements contain certain transfer restrictions with respect to the covered Revolution Medicines shares and certain other restrictions and obligations applicable to the Revolution Medicines supporting stockholders. For a more complete description of the Revolution Medicines voting agreements, see the information provided in the section titled The Ancillary AgreementsRevolution Medicines Voting Agreements of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
EQRx Voting Agreements
Concurrently with the execution of the merger agreement, certain directors, executive officers and significant stockholders of EQRx entered into voting agreements with Revolution Medicines, each in substantially similar form, which are referred to as the EQRx voting agreements. The agreements made by such EQRx supporting stockholders are made with respect to all shares of EQRx common stock owned of record or beneficially by such EQRx supporting stockholders as of the date of the merger agreement, including any shares of EQRx common stock that are held in escrow subject to the EQRx earn-out, together with any additional shares of EQRx common stock or other voting securities of EQRx of which such EQRx supporting stockholders acquire beneficial ownership after the date of the merger agreement but prior to the earlier to occur of (i) the effective time and (ii) such time as the merger agreement is validly terminated in accordance with its terms, which are referred to collectively as the covered EQRx shares.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the EQRx voting agreements, from the date of the merger agreement until the termination of the EQRx voting agreements in accordance with their respective terms, each of the EQRx supporting stockholders agreed to:
| be represented in person or by proxy at each meeting of the stockholders of EQRx, or adjournment or postponement thereof, in order for their respective covered EQRx shares to be counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum; and |
| at each meeting of the stockholders of EQRx, or adjournment or postponement thereof, or with respect to any action or approval of the stockholders of EQRx by written consent, with respect to the applicable matters, vote their respective covered EQRx shares (i) in favor of the EQRx merger agreement proposal and (ii) against (a) any action or agreement that would reasonably be expected to result in any of the conditions to EQRxs obligations under the merger agreement not being fulfilled and (b) any EQRx acquisition proposal, or any agreement, transaction or other matter that is intended to, or would reasonably be expected to, materially impede, materially interfere with or materially and adversely affect the consummation of the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. |
The EQRx voting agreements contain certain transfer restrictions with respect to the covered EQRx shares and certain other restrictions and obligations applicable to the EQRx supporting stockholders. For a more complete description of the EQRx voting agreements, see the information provided in the section titled The Ancillary AgreementsEQRx Voting Agreements of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
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Lock-Up Agreements
Concurrently with the execution of the merger agreement, certain directors, executive officers and significant stockholders of Revolution Medicines and EQRx entered into lock-up agreements with Revolution Medicines, each in substantially similar form, which are referred to as the lock-up agreements. The agreements made by such specified directors, executive officers and stockholders in the lock-up agreements are made with respect to all shares of Revolution Medicines common stock and other equity interests in Revolution Medicines (including preferred stock, options, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards) owned of record or beneficially by such specified directors, executive officers and stockholders (including any such shares or equity interests received pursuant to the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement), which are referred to collectively as the lock-up shares.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the lock-up agreements, from the effective time until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 90th calendar day after the closing date, which is referred to as the restricted period, each of the specified directors, executive officers and stockholders party to a lock-up agreement agreed not to Transfer (as defined in the lock-up agreements), directly or indirectly, or publicly announce any intention to effect a Transfer of, any of such specified directors, executive officers or stockholders lock-up shares. The specified directors, executive officers and stockholder party to a lock-up agreement have also agreed that the transfer restrictions thereunder preclude such specified director, executive officer or stockholder from entering into hedging and other transactions designed or intended to lead to or result in a sale or disposition of shares of common stock or other equity interests of Revolution Medicines, even if such sale or disposition would be executed by or on behalf of someone other than such specified director, executive officer or stockholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 20% of the specified directors, executive officers and stockholders lock-up shares (measured as of the effective time and without regard to any shares of common stock or other equity interests of Revolution Medicines acquired after the effective time) will be released from the restrictions set forth in the lock-up agreements at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 30th calendar day after the closing date.
The lock-up agreements contain certain exceptions to the transfer restrictions as well as certain other restrictions and obligations applicable to the specified directors, executive officers and stockholders party to the lock-up agreements. For a more complete description of the lock-up agreements, see the information provided in the section titled The Ancillary AgreementsLock-Up Agreements of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences (Page 165)
The mergers, taken together, are intended to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, but there are significant legal and factual uncertainties concerning such qualification, particularly given the wind-down of EQRxs research and development programs and operations described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. No assurance can be given that the mergers will so qualify, that the IRS will not challenge such qualification or that a court will not sustain such a challenge. The closing of the mergers is not conditioned upon achieving, or receiving a ruling from the IRS or opinion of counsel with respect to, such qualification.
If the mergers, taken together, qualify as a reorganization, a U.S. holder (as defined in the section titled U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus) of EQRx common stock generally will not recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the exchange of EQRx common stock for Revolution Medicines common stock in the mergers, except with respect to cash received by such holder in lieu of fractional shares of Revolution Medicines common stock. If the mergers do not so qualify for any reason, the exchange of EQRx common stock for Revolution Medicines common stock in the mergers will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
See the section titled U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for a more complete description of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the
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mergers. Please consult your tax advisors as to the specific tax consequences to you of the mergers, including the consequences if the mergers do not qualify as a reorganization for any reason.
Comparison of Stockholders Rights (Page 183)
Upon completion of the first merger, EQRx stockholders receiving shares of Revolution Medicines common stock will become Revolution Medicines stockholders, and their rights will be governed by the DGCL and the governing corporate documents of Revolution Medicines in effect at the effective time. EQRx stockholders will have different rights once they become Revolution Medicines stockholders due to differences between the governing corporate documents of EQRx and the governing corporate documents of Revolution Medicines, as described in more detail under the section titled Comparison of Stockholders Rights of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Listing of Revolution Medicines Common Stock; Delisting and Deregistration of EQRx Common Stock (Page 129)
The shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued in the mergers are expected to be listed for trading on Nasdaq Select under the symbol RVMD. Revolution Medicines will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued in connection with the mergers to be approved for listing on Nasdaq prior to the effective time.
If the mergers are completed, EQRx common stock will be delisted from Nasdaq and deregistered under the Exchange Act, and EQRx will no longer be required to file periodic reports with the SEC with respect to EQRx common stock.
EQRx has agreed to cooperate with Revolution Medicines to take, or cause to be taken, all actions necessary to permit the shares of EQRx common stock to be delisted from Nasdaq and deregistered under the Exchange Act after the effective time.
Risk Factors (Page 37)
In evaluating the merger agreement, the mergers or the issuance of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock in the mergers, you should carefully read this joint proxy statement/prospectus and give special consideration to the factors discussed in the section titled Risk Factors of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
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COMPARISON OF REVOLUTION MEDICINES AND EQRX MARKET PRICES AND IMPLIED VALUE OF MERGER CONSIDERATION
The following table presents trading information for Revolution Medicines common stock and EQRx common stock on the Nasdaq Select and Nasdaq Global, respectively, on July 31, 2023, the last trading day before announcement of the mergers and [●], 2023, the most recent practicable trading day before the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The table also shows the estimated equivalent per-share value of the per share consideration proposed for each share of EQRx common stock as of the same two dates. This estimated equivalent per-share value was calculated by assuming that the exchange ratio is [●], as determined by (i) the number of shares of EQRx common stock outstanding as of [●], 2023 and (ii) the volume-weighted average trading price per share, referred to as VWAP, of Revolution Medicines common stock for the five trading days ending on [●], 2023.
EQRx Common Stock | Revolution Medicines Common Stock |
Equivalent Per-Share Value |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
High | Low | Close | High | Low | Close | High | Low | Close | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Date |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
July 31, 2023 |
$ | 1.75 | $ | 1.68 | $ | 1.71 | $ | 26.39 | $ | 25.54 | $ | 26.25 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
[●], 2023 |
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Because the exchange ratio depends on the VWAP of Revolution Medicines common stock, a 10% increase or decrease to the volume-weighted average price per share of Revolution Medicines common stock used in the above table would increase or decrease, as applicable, the exchange ratio by [●], resulting in an equivalent per-share closing value on July 31, 2023 of $[●] and on [●], 2023 of $[●]. The exchange ratio will be calculated promptly following the determination of the pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP, which will be known following the closing of the Nasdaq Select market on the sixth business day prior to the scheduled EQRx special meeting date as set forth in the notice of meeting included in the definitive form of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. EQRx and Revolution Medicines will publicly announce the exchange ratio pursuant to a press release and the filing of Current Reports on Form 8-K with the SEC. See the section titled Where You Can Find More Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The market value of the shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued as merger consideration will not be known at the time of the Revolution Medicines and EQRx special meetings. The above table shows only historical comparisons. Accordingly, these comparisons may not provide meaningful information to Revolution Medicines stockholders and EQRx stockholders in determining how to vote with respect to the proposals described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Revolution Medicines stockholders and EQRx stockholders are encouraged to obtain current market quotations for Revolution Medicines common stock and EQRx common stock and to review carefully the other information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. For more information, see Where You Can Find More Information.
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In deciding whether to vote for the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal, in the case of Revolution Medicines stockholders, or the adoption of the merger agreement, in the case of EQRx stockholders, you are urged to carefully consider all of the information included or incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, which is listed in the section titled Where You Can Find More Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. You should also read and consider the risks associated with each of the businesses of Revolution Medicines and EQRx. The risks associated with the business of Revolution Medicines can be found in Revolution Medicines Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and the risks associated with the business of EQRx can be found in EQRxs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as such risks may be updated or supplemented in each companys subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K (excluding any information and exhibits furnished under Item 2.02 or 7.01 thereof), each of which are incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. In addition, you are urged to carefully consider the following material risks relating to the mergers, the business of Revolution Medicines, and the business of EQRx.
Risks Related to the Mergers
Because the exchange ratio depends on the price of Revolution Medicines common stock as well as the number of shares of EQRx common stock outstanding immediately prior to the completion of the first merger, which can fluctuate, the value of the merger consideration that EQRx equityholders will receive in the mergers is uncertain.
Upon completion of the first merger, each share of EQRx common stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (other than excluded EQRx shares) will be converted automatically into the right to receive a number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock equal to the exchange ratio, all as described in the section titled The Merger AgreementMerger Consideration. The aggregate merger consideration will consist of a number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock (including in respect of converted in-the-money EQRx options, EQRx RSUs and EQRx restricted stock) determined as follows: 7,692,308 shares of Revolution Medicines common stock; plus an additional number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock, which will be determined prior to the EQRx special meeting and will represent $870.0 million of the aggregate purchase price divided by the pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP, applying a six percent discount. The exchange ratio will be determined by dividing the aggregate number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued as merger consideration by the number of shares of EQRx common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time, determined in accordance with the merger agreement (which number of shares is not known at this time).
The value of the 7,692,308 shares of Revolution Medicines common stock already determined to be included in the merger consideration will depend upon the market price of Revolution Medicines common stock at the time the mergers are completed and the shares of Revolution Medicines common stock are delivered to EQRx equityholders. The number of additional shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be included in the merger consideration will not be determined until closer proximity to the EQRx special meeting and, therefore, will depend upon the price of Revolution Medicines common stock during the five-day trading period used to determine the pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP.
As of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, it is impossible to accurately predict the pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP or the number of shares of EQRx common stock, determined in accordance with the merger agreement, that will be outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time and, therefore, impossible to accurately predict the exchange ratio and, thus, the total number or value of the shares of Revolution Medicines common stock that EQRx equityholders will receive in the mergers. The market price for Revolution Medicines common stock may fluctuate both prior to completion of the mergers and thereafter for a variety of reasons, including, among others, general market and economic conditions, changes in laws and
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regulations, other changes in Revolution Medicines business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, developments in Revolution Medicines clinical programs and product candidates, market assessments of the likelihood that the mergers will be completed, and the expected timing of the mergers.
Many of these factors are beyond Revolution Medicines and EQRxs control, and neither Revolution Medicines nor EQRx are permitted to terminate the merger agreement solely due to a decline in the market price of the common stock of the other party. In determining, in the case of EQRx stockholders, whether to vote for the adoption of the merger agreement, or, in the case of the Revolution Medicines stockholders, whether to vote for the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal, you are urged to obtain current market quotations for Revolution Medicines common stock and EQRx common stock and refer to the press release and related Current Reports on Form 8-K to be issued by EQRx and Revolution Medicines with the calculation of the exchange ratio following determination of the pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP. In addition, see the section titled Comparison of Revolution Medicines and EQRx Market Prices and Implied Value of Merger Consideration of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The mergers may be delayed or may not be completed and the merger agreement may be terminated in accordance with its terms, which could negatively impact Revolution Medicines and/or EQRx.
The mergers are subject to a number of conditions that must be satisfied, some of which are beyond the control of Revolution Medicines and EQRx, may not be satisfied or waived in a timely manner or at all, and, accordingly, the mergers may be delayed or not completed. These conditions include:
| the approval by Revolution Medicines stockholders of the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and approval by EQRx stockholders of the EQRx merger agreement proposal; |
| approval for listing on the Nasdaq Select of the shares of Revolution Medicines common stock (including those to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement) (subject to official notice of issuance); |
| the expiration or earlier termination of any applicable waiting period under U.S. antitrust and competition laws, if applicable; |
| the absence of governmental restraints or prohibitions preventing the consummation of the mergers; and |
| the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-4 registering the Revolution Medicines common stock issuable pursuant to the merger agreement and the absence of any stop order by the SEC with respect to such registration statement. |
The obligation of each of Revolution Medicines and EQRx to consummate the mergers is also conditioned on, among other things, the absence of a material adverse effect on the other party, the truth and correctness of the representations and warranties made by the other party on the date of the merger agreement and on the closing date (subject to certain materiality qualifiers), and the performance by the other party in all material respects of its obligations under the merger agreement. No assurance can be given that the required consents and approvals will be obtained or that the required conditions to closing will be satisfied, and, if all required consents and approvals are obtained and the conditions are satisfied, no assurance can be given as to the terms, conditions and timing of such consents and approvals. Any delay in completing the mergers could cause Revolution Medicines not to realize, or to be delayed in realizing, some or all of the benefits that Revolution Medicines expects to achieve if the mergers are successfully completed within the expected time frame. For a more complete summary of the conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to completion of the mergers, see the section titled The Merger AgreementConditions to the Completion of the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Additionally, either Revolution Medicines or EQRx may terminate the merger agreement under certain circumstances, including, among other reasons, if the first merger has not been consummated prior to 12:00 a.m.,
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Eastern Time, on January 31, 2024. In addition, if the merger agreement is terminated under certain circumstances specified in the merger agreement, Revolution Medicines would be required to pay EQRx a termination fee of $65,000,000, or EQRx would be required to pay Revolution Medicines a termination fee of $25,000,000. Additionally, if the merger agreement is terminated because of failure of one party to obtain the required stockholder approval and no termination fee is payable, the party who did not receive approval shall reimburse the other partys reasonable, documented expenses, up to $10,000,000. See the section titled The Merger AgreementTermination of the Merger Agreement of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the section titled The Merger AgreementTermination Fees of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for a more complete discussion of the circumstances under which the merger agreement could be terminated and when a termination fee may be payable by Revolution Medicines or EQRx.
If the mergers are not completed for any reason, including as a result of a failure to obtain the required Revolution Medicines stockholder vote to approve the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal or the required EQRx stockholder vote to approve the EQRx merger agreement proposal, the ongoing businesses of Revolution Medicines and EQRx may be adversely affected and, without realizing any of the benefits of having completed the mergers, Revolution Medicines and EQRx would be subject to a number of risks, including the following:
| each company may experience negative reactions from the financial markets, including negative impacts on its stock price; |
| each company may experience negative reactions from its partners, suppliers, employees and others; |
| each company will be required to pay their respective costs relating to the mergers, such as financial advisory, legal and accounting costs and associated fees and expenses, including, if applicable, a termination fee (with certain exceptions), whether or not the mergers are completed; and |
| matters relating to the mergers (including winddown planning for EQRx) will require substantial commitments of time and resources by Revolution Medicines management and EQRx management, which could otherwise have been devoted to day-to-day operations or to other opportunities that may have been beneficial to Revolution Medicines or EQRx, as applicable, as an independent company. |
Further, EQRx has commenced a process to wind-down and terminate its current product pipeline and other research and development activities and, thus, if the mergers are not completed, EQRx may not have any product candidates in active clinical development nor any material research and development collaborations. Accordingly, EQRxs future business prospects as a biopharmaceutical company will be extremely limited unless it is able to take steps to hire key personnel and rebuild a pipeline of product candidates through licenses, acquisitions or both, or through consummation of an alternative transaction. There is substantial uncertainty about EQRxs ability to undertake such efforts. The EQRx board of directors may determine to liquidate or dissolve the company. In such an event, the amount of cash available for distribution to its stockholders will depend heavily on the timing of such liquidation or dissolution, as well as the amount of cash that will need to be reserved for commitments and contingent liabilities.
In addition, if the mergers are not completed, Revolution Medicines and EQRx could be subject to litigation related to any failure to complete the mergers or to perform their respective obligations under the merger agreement. If the mergers are not completed, Revolution Medicines and EQRx cannot assure their stockholders that these risks will not materialize and will not materially affect the business, financial condition, results of operations and stock prices of Revolution Medicines or EQRx.
The market price for shares of Revolution Medicines common stock following the completion of the mergers may be affected by factors different from, or in addition to, those that historically have affected or currently affect the market prices of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock and EQRx common stock.
Upon consummation of the mergers, EQRx stockholders will become Revolution Medicines stockholders. Revolution Medicines business differs from that of EQRx in certain respects, and, accordingly, the financial
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condition and results of operations of Revolution Medicines after completion of the mergers, as well as the market price of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock, may be affected by factors that are different from those currently or historically affecting the financial condition and results of operations of Revolution Medicines or EQRx. In addition, the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations in recent times, which, if they continue to occur, could adversely affect the market for, or liquidity of, Revolution Medicines common stock, regardless of Revolution Medicines actual results of operations. For a discussion of the businesses of each of Revolution Medicines and EQRx and some important factors to consider in connection with those businesses, please see the section titled The Parties to the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the documents and information included elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus and listed under the section titled Where You Can Find More Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be received by EQRx stockholders as a result of the first merger will have rights different from the shares of EQRx common stock.
Upon consummation of the first merger, the rights of EQRx stockholders, who will become Revolution Medicines stockholders, will be governed by the governing corporate documents of Revolution Medicines in effect at the effective time, including the amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws of Revolution Medicines. The rights associated with EQRx common stock are different from the rights which will be associated with Revolution Medicines common stock. See the section titled Comparison of Stockholders Rights of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for a discussion of these rights.
After the mergers, EQRx stockholders will have a significantly lower ownership and voting interest in Revolution Medicines than they currently have in EQRx and will exercise less influence over management and policies of Revolution Medicines after completion of the mergers.
After completion of the mergers, the current securityholders of EQRx will own a smaller percentage of Revolution Medicines than their current ownership of EQRx prior to the mergers. The actual number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued and reserved for issuance in connection with the mergers will be determined at completion of the mergers based on the terms of the merger agreement and the exchange ratio. Based on the number of shares of common stock of each Revolution Medicines and EQRx outstanding on [●], 2023, the latest practicable date prior to the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and assuming that the exchange ratio is [●], as determined by the volume-weighted average price per share of Revolution Medicines common stock for the five trading days ending on [●] 2023, upon completion of the mergers, former EQRx stockholders are expected to own approximately [●]% of the outstanding shares of Revolution Medicines common stock and Revolution Medicines stockholders immediately prior to the mergers are expected to own approximately [●]% of the outstanding shares of Revolution Medicines common stock. Consequently, former EQRx stockholders will have less influence over the management and policies of Revolution Medicines after completion of the mergers than they currently have over the management and policies of EQRx.
Until the completion of the mergers or the termination of the merger agreement in accordance with its terms, Revolution Medicines and EQRx are each prohibited from entering into certain transactions and taking certain actions that might otherwise be beneficial to Revolution Medicines or EQRx and their respective stockholders.
From and after the date of the merger agreement and prior to completion of the mergers, the merger agreement:
| restricts Revolution Medicines and EQRx from taking specified actions without the consent of the other party; |
| requires Revolution Medicines and its subsidiaries to use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct their business and operations in the ordinary course of business in all material respects; and |
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| requires EQRx and its subsidiaries to use reasonable best efforts to conduct their business and operations consistent with a mutually agreed operating and capital expenditure budget and commercially reasonable efforts to wind down their certain research and development programs. |
These restrictions may prevent Revolution Medicines or EQRx from making certain changes to their respective businesses or organizational structures or from pursuing attractive business opportunities that may arise prior to the completion of the mergers, and could have the effect of delaying or preventing other strategic transactions. Adverse effects arising from the pendency of the mergers could be exacerbated by any delays in consummation of the mergers or termination of the merger agreement. See the section titled The Merger AgreementConduct of Business Prior to the Effective Time of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The mergers, and uncertainty regarding the mergers, may cause current or future distributors, suppliers or strategic partners to delay or defer decisions concerning Revolution Medicines and EQRx and adversely affect each companys ability to effectively manage their respective businesses.
The mergers will happen only if the stated conditions are met, including the relevant stockholder approvals, among other conditions. Many of the conditions are outside the control of Revolution Medicines and EQRx, and both parties also have certain rights to terminate the merger agreement. Accordingly, there may be uncertainty regarding the completion of the mergers. This uncertainty may cause current or future distributors, suppliers, vendors, strategic partners or others that deal with Revolution Medicines or EQRx to delay or defer entering into contracts with Revolution Medicines or EQRx or making other decisions concerning Revolution Medicines or EQRx or could cause such distributors, suppliers, vendors, strategic partners or others to seek to change or cancel existing business relationships with Revolution Medicines or EQRx, which could negatively affect their respective businesses. Any delay or deferral of those decisions or changes in existing agreements could have an adverse impact on the respective businesses of Revolution Medicines and EQRx, regardless of whether the mergers are ultimately completed.
Whether or not the mergers are completed, the announcement and pendency of the mergers will divert significant management resources to complete the mergers, which could have an adverse effect on Revolution Medicines and EQRxs respective businesses, results of operations and/or market prices.
Whether or not the mergers are completed, the announcement and pendency of the mergers could cause disruptions in the businesses of Revolution Medicines and EQRx by directing the attention of management of each of Revolution Medicines and EQRx toward the completion of the mergers and, with respect to EQRx, the wind-down of its current product pipeline and other research and development activities. Revolution Medicines and EQRx have each diverted significant management resources in an effort to complete the mergers and are each subject to restrictions contained in the merger agreement on the conduct of their respective businesses in the period prior to the completion of the mergers. If the mergers are not completed, Revolution Medicines and EQRx will have incurred significant costs, including the diversion of management resources, for which they will have received little or no benefit.
The directors and executive officers of EQRx have interests and arrangements that may be different from, or in addition to, those of Revolution Medicines and EQRx stockholders generally.
When considering the recommendations of the EQRx board of directors with respect to the proposals described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, stockholders should be aware that the directors and executive officers of EQRx have interests in the mergers that are different from, or in addition to, those of EQRx stockholders generally. These interests include the treatment in the mergers of outstanding equity, equity-based and incentive awards, severance arrangements, and other compensation and benefit arrangements and the right to continued indemnification of former EQRx directors and officers by Revolution Medicines.
EQRx stockholders should be aware of these interests when they consider the recommendation of the EQRx board of directors that they adopt the merger agreement. The interests of EQRxs directors and executive officers
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are described in more detail in the section titled The MergersInterests of EQRxs Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Revolution Medicines or EQRx may waive one or more of the closing conditions without re-soliciting stockholder approval.
To the extent permitted by law, Revolution Medicines or EQRx may determine to waive, in whole or part, one or more of the conditions to its obligations to consummate the mergers. Revolution Medicines and EQRx currently expect to evaluate the materiality of any waiver and its effect on Revolution Medicines and EQRx stockholders, as applicable, in light of the facts and circumstances at the time to determine whether any amendment of this joint proxy statement/prospectus or any re-solicitation of proxies or voting cards is required in light of such waiver. Any determination whether to waive any condition to the mergers or as to re-soliciting stockholder approval or amending this joint proxy statement/prospectus as a result of a waiver will be made by Revolution Medicines and EQRx, as applicable, at the time of such waiver based on the facts and circumstances as they exist at that time.
Each of Revolution Medicines and EQRx will incur significant transaction and merger-related costs in connection with the mergers.
Revolution Medicines and EQRx have each incurred and expect to incur a number of non-recurring costs associated with Revolution Medicines acquisition of EQRx, as well as transaction fees and other costs related to the mergers. These costs and expenses include fees paid to financial, legal and accounting advisors, facilities and systems consolidation costs, severance and other potential employment-related costs, filing fees, printing expenses and other related charges. Some of these costs are payable by Revolution Medicines or EQRx regardless of whether the mergers are completed. While both Revolution Medicines and EQRx have assumed that certain expenses would be incurred in connection with the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, there are many factors beyond their control that could affect the total amount or the timing of any implementation expenses.
EQRx stockholders will not be entitled to appraisal rights in the mergers.
Appraisal rights are statutory rights that, if applicable under law, enable stockholders of a corporation to dissent from an extraordinary transaction, such as a merger, and to demand that such corporation pay the fair value for their shares as determined by a court in a judicial proceeding instead of receiving the consideration offered to such stockholders in connection with the transaction. Under the DGCL, stockholders do not have appraisal rights if the shares of stock they hold are either listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, appraisal rights are available if stockholders are required by the terms of the merger agreement to accept for their shares anything other than (a) shares of stock of the surviving corporation, (b) shares of stock of another corporation that will either be listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 holders, (c) cash in lieu of fractional shares or (d) any combination of the foregoing.
Because shares of Revolution Medicines common stock are listed on the Nasdaq Select, a national securities exchange, and because EQRx stockholders are not required by the terms of the merger agreement to accept for their shares anything other than shares of Revolution Medicines common stock and cash in lieu of fractional shares, holders of EQRx common stock will not be entitled to appraisal rights in the mergers. See the section titled The Merger AgreementNo Appraisal Rights of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
EQRx warrants could increase the number of shares eligible for future resale in the public market and result in dilution to the stockholders.
As of August 31, 2023, EQRx had outstanding warrants exercisable for 19,733,290 shares of EQRx common stock with an exercise price of $11.50 per share. At the effective time, each EQRx warrant that is
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outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the effective time will, in accordance with its terms, automatically cease to represent a warrant exercisable for EQRx common stock and will become a warrant exercisable for the merger consideration that such holder would have received if the EQRx warrant had been exercised immediately prior to the effective time. For the avoidance of doubt, no holder of an EQRx warrant will be entitled to receive any merger consideration in exchange for such EQRx warrant.
To the extent the trading price of Revolution Medicines common stock multiplied by the exchange ratio exceeds the applicable exercise price for the EQRx warrants, the shares of Revolution Medicines common stock issued upon exercise of any of the EQRx warrants will result in dilution to the then existing holders of Revolution Medicines common stock and increase the number of shares eligible for resale in the public market. Sales of substantial numbers of such shares in the public market could adversely affect the market price of the Revolution Medicines common stock.
The merger agreement contains provisions that could discourage a potential competing acquirer that might be willing to pay more to acquire or merge with either EQRx or Revolution Medicines.
Each of EQRx and Revolution Medicines is subject to certain restrictions on its ability to solicit alternative acquisition proposals from third parties, to provide information to third parties and to enter into or continue discussions or negotiations with third parties regarding alternative acquisition proposals, subject to customary exceptions. In addition, if the merger agreement is terminated under certain circumstances specified in the merger agreement, Revolution Medicines would be required to pay EQRx a termination fee of $65,000,000, or EQRx would be required to pay Revolution Medicines a termination fee of $25,000,000. These provisions could discourage a potential competing acquirer that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant part of either company from considering or proposing such an acquisition.
The MTS opinion rendered to the EQRx board of directors does not and will not reflect changes in circumstances between the signing of the merger agreement and the closing of the mergers.
The EQRx board of directors has not obtained an opinion from its financial advisor as of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus since the opinion provided on July 31, 2023, nor does it expect to receive an updated, revised or reaffirmed opinion prior to the completion of the mergers. Changes in the business, operations and prospects of EQRx or Revolution Medicines, general market and economic conditions and other factors that may be beyond the control of EQRx and Revolution Medicines, and on which the MTS opinion was based, may significantly alter the value of EQRx or Revolution Medicines or the prices of EQRx common stock or Revolution Medicines common stock by the time the mergers are completed. The MTS opinion does not speak as of the time the mergers will be completed or as of any date other than the date of such opinion. Because MTS Securities will not be updating the MTS opinion, such opinion will not address the fairness of the exchange ratio from a financial point of view at the time the mergers are completed. For a description of the opinion that the EQRx board of directors received from MTS Securities, see the section titled The MergersOpinion of MTS, EQRxs Financial Advisor.
If the mergers, taken together, do not qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code, U.S. holders of EQRx common stock may be required to pay additional U.S. federal income taxes. There are significant factual and legal uncertainties as to whether the mergers will qualify as a reorganization.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the mergers, taken together, are intended to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. However, there are significant factual and legal uncertainties as to whether the mergers will qualify as a reorganization, particularly given the wind-down of EQRxs research and development programs and operations, as described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See the section titled U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for a more detailed discussion of such uncertainties.
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In connection with the filing of the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part, Goodwin Procter LLP, counsel to EQRx, has delivered an opinion to the effect that it is more likely than not that the mergers will qualify as a reorganization. Such opinion of counsel is based on, among other things, certain factual representations made by EQRx and Revolution Medicines and certain assumptions, all of which must be consistent with the state of facts existing at the time of the mergers. If any of these representations and assumptions are, or become, inaccurate or incomplete, such opinion may be invalid. An opinion of counsel represents counsels best legal judgment and is not binding on the IRS or the courts, which may not agree with the conclusions set forth in such opinion, including with respect to the uncertainties referred to above and discussed in more detail in the section titled U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Mergers. The closing of the mergers is not conditioned upon achieving, or receiving a ruling from the IRS or opinion of counsel with respect to, such qualification.
If the mergers do not qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, a U.S. holder of EQRx common stock generally would recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes on each share of EQRx common stock surrendered in the first merger in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value, at the time of the first merger, of the Revolution Medicines common stock received in the first merger (including any cash received in lieu of a fractional share of Revolution Medicines common stock) and such holders adjusted tax basis in the EQRx common stock surrendered in the first merger. Gain or loss must be calculated separately for each block of EQRx common stock exchanged by such U.S. holder if such blocks were acquired at different times or for different prices. Any gain or loss recognized generally would be capital gain or loss, and generally would be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holders holding period in a particular block of EQRx common stock is more than one year at the effective time of the first merger. Long-term capital gain of certain non-corporate taxpayers, including individuals, generally is taxed at reduced U.S. federal income tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. A U.S. holders tax basis in shares of Revolution Medicines common stock received in the first merger would be equal to the fair market value thereof as of the effective time of the first merger, and such U.S. holders holding period in such shares would begin on the day following the closing of the first merger.
See the section titled U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for a more complete description of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the mergers. Please consult your tax advisors as to the specific tax consequences to you of the mergers, including the consequences if the mergers do not qualify as a reorganization for any reason.
Risks Relating to Revolution Medicines After Completion of the Mergers
There can be no assurance that Revolution Medicines will be able to comply with the continued listing standards of Nasdaq.
If Revolution Medicines fails to satisfy the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq, such as the corporate governance requirements or the minimum share price requirement, Nasdaq may take steps to delist Revolution Medicines securities. Such a delisting would likely have a negative effect on the price of the securities and would impair stockholders ability to sell or purchase the securities when they wish to do so. In the event of a delisting, Revolution Medicines can provide no assurance that any action taken by it to restore compliance with listing requirements would allow the securities to become listed again, stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of the securities, prevent the securities from dropping below the Nasdaq minimum share price requirement or prevent future non-compliance with Nasdaqs listing requirements. Additionally, if the securities are not listed on, or become delisted from Nasdaq, for any reason, and are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board, an inter-dealer automated quotation system for equity securities that is not a national securities exchange, the liquidity and price of the securities may be more limited than if Revolution Medicines were quoted or listed on Nasdaq or another national securities exchange. Stockholders may be unable to sell their securities unless a market can be established or sustained.
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Revolution Medicines may be exposed to increased litigation, which could have an adverse effect on the Revolution Medicines business and operations.
Revolution Medicines may be exposed to increased litigation from stockholders, distributors, suppliers, consumers and other third parties after completion of the mergers. Such litigation may have an adverse impact on Revolution Medicines business and results of operations or may cause disruptions to Revolution Medicines operations.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus may not be indicative of what Revolution Medicines actual financial position or results of operations would have been.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is presented solely for illustrative purposes and is not necessarily indicative of what Revolution Medicines actual financial position or results of operations would have been had the mergers been completed on the dates indicated. This unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information reflects adjustments that were developed using preliminary estimates based on available information and various assumptions, and may be revised as additional information becomes available. Accordingly, the final acquisition accounting adjustments may differ materially from the pro forma adjustments reflected in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
While presented with numeric specificity, the Revolution Medicines and EQRx unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information provided in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is based on numerous variables and assumptions (including, but not limited to, those related to general business, the biotechnology and related industries, and economic, market and financial conditions and additional matters specific to Revolution Medicines or EQRxs business, as applicable) that are inherently subjective and uncertain and are beyond the control of the respective management teams of Revolution Medicines and EQRx. As a result, actual results may differ materially from the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. Important factors that may affect actual results and cause these unaudited projected financial forecasts to not be achieved include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to Revolution Medicines business (including its ability to achieve strategic goals, objectives and targets over applicable periods), industry performance, general business and economic conditions. See the section titled Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.
Risks Relating to Revolution Medicines Business
Revolution Medicines business will continue to be subject to the risks described in the sections titled Risk Factors in Revolution Medicines Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2023, and in other documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See the section titled Where You Can Find More Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for the location of information incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Risks Relating to EQRxs Business
EQRxs business will continue to be subject to the risks described in the sections titled Risk Factors in EQRxs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, in EQRxs Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023 and in other documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See the section titled Where You Can Find More Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for the location of information incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This registration statement on Form S-4, of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part, and the documents to which Revolution Medicines and EQRx refer you to in this registration statement, as well as oral statements made or to be made by Revolution Medicines and EQRx, include certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. The words believe, continue, could, expect, anticipate, intends, estimate, forecast, project, should, may, will, would or the negative thereof and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Revolution Medicines and EQRx. Statements in or incorporated by reference into this registration statement regarding Revolution Medicines, EQRx, or the proposed mergers, referred to as the proposed transaction, that are forward-looking, including statements regarding the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, the impact of the proposed transaction on Revolution Medicines and EQRxs employees, business and future financial and operating results, the ability of the parties to complete the proposed transaction considering the various closing conditions, the closing date for the proposed transaction, Revolution Medicines expectation to not advance EQRxs research and development portfolio following closing of the proposed transaction, and EQRxs expectation to wind down its programs, are based on Revolution Medicines and EQRxs managements estimates, assumptions and projections, and are subject to significant uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Revolution Medicines and EQRxs control. These factors and risks include, but are not limited to:
| the risk that the proposed transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect Revolution Medicines and EQRxs businesses and the price of their respective securities; |
| uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the proposed transaction; |
| the potential failure to receive, on a timely basis or otherwise, the required approvals of the proposed transaction, including stockholder approvals by both Revolution Medicines stockholders and EQRxs stockholders, and the potential failure to satisfy the other conditions to the consummation of the transaction; |
| that the proposed transaction may involve unexpected costs, liabilities or delays; |
| the effect of the announcement, pendency or completion of the proposed transaction on each of Revolution Medicines or EQRxs ability to attract, motivate, retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with customers, distributors, suppliers and others with whom Revolution Medicines or EQRx does business, or on Revolution Medicines or EQRxs operating results and business generally; |
| that the proposed transaction may divert managements attention from each of Revolution Medicines and EQRxs ongoing business operations; |
| the risk of any legal proceedings related to the proposed transaction or otherwise, or the impact of the proposed transaction thereupon, including resulting expense or delay; |
| that Revolution Medicines or EQRx may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; |
| the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement relating to the proposed transaction, including in circumstances which would require Revolution Medicines or EQRx to pay a termination fee; |
| the risk that restrictions during the pendency of the proposed transaction may impact Revolution Medicines or EQRxs ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; |
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| the risk that Revolution Medicines or EQRx may be unable to obtain governmental and regulatory approvals required for the proposed transaction, or that required governmental and regulatory approvals may delay the consummation of the proposed transaction or result in the imposition of conditions that could reduce the anticipated benefits from the proposed transaction or cause the parties to abandon the proposed transaction; |
| the risk that the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction may otherwise not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; |
| the impact of legislative, regulatory, economic, competitive and technological changes; |
| risks relating to the value of Revolution Medicines securities to be issued in the proposed transaction; |
| the risk that integration of the proposed transaction post-closing may not occur as anticipated or Revolution Medicines may not be able to achieve the growth prospects expected from the transaction; |
| the effect of the announcement, pendency or completion of the proposed transaction on the market price of the common stock of each of Revolution Medicines and the common stock and publicly traded warrants of EQRx; |
| the implementation of each of Revolution Medicines and EQRxs business model and strategic plans for product candidates and pipeline, and challenges inherent in developing, commercializing, manufacturing, launching, marketing and selling potential existing and new products; |
| the scope, progress, results and costs of developing Revolution Medicines and EQRxs product candidates and any future product candidates, including conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials, and otherwise related to the research and development of Revolution Medicines and EQRxs pipeline; |
| the timing and costs involved in obtaining and maintaining regulatory approval for Revolution Medicines and EQRxs current or future product candidates, and any related restrictions, limitations and/or warnings in the label of an approved product; |
| the market for, adoption (including rate and degree of market acceptance) and pricing and reimbursement of Revolution Medicines and EQRxs product candidates and their respective abilities to compete with therapies and procedures that are rapidly growing and evolving; |
| uncertainties in contractual relationships, including collaborations, partnerships, licensing or other arrangements and the performance of third-party suppliers and manufacturers; |
| the ability of each of Revolution Medicines and EQRx to establish and maintain intellectual property protection for products or avoid or defend claims of infringement; |
| exposure to inflation, currency rate and interest rate fluctuations and risks associated with doing business locally and internationally, as well as fluctuations in the market price of each of Revolution Medicines and EQRxs traded securities; |
| risks relating to competition within the industry in which each of Revolution Medicines and EQRx operate; |
| the unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism or outbreak of war or hostilities; |
| whether the termination of EQRxs license agreements and/or discovery collaboration agreements may impact its or Revolution Medicines ability to license in additional programs in the future and the risk of delays or unforeseen costs in terminating such arrangements; |
| risks that restructuring costs and charges may be greater than anticipated or incurred in different periods than anticipated; |
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| the risk that EQRxs restructuring efforts may adversely affect its programs and its ability to recruit and retain skilled and motivated personnel, and may be distracting to employees and management; and |
| the risk that EQRxs restructuring or wind-down efforts may negatively impact its business operations and reputation with or ability to serve counterparties, may take longer to realize than expected or may result in the liquidation or dissolution of EQRx if the potential transaction is not completed, as well as each of Revolution Medicines and EQRxs response to any of the aforementioned factors. |
In addition, material risks that could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements include: the inherent uncertainty associated with financial or other projections; the companies ability to obtain the approval of the proposed transaction by EQRx stockholders and the approval of the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and the timing of the closing of the proposed transaction, including the risk that the conditions to the transaction are not satisfied on a timely basis or at all and the failure of the proposed transaction to close for any other reason; the risk that a consent or authorization that may be required for the proposed transaction is not obtained or is obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated; unanticipated difficulties or expenditures relating to the proposed transaction, the response of business partners and retention as a result of the announcement and pendency of the proposed transaction; and the diversion of management time in connection with the proposed transaction.
For further discussion of these and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties applicable to Revolution Medicines and EQRx, see the section titled Risk Factors of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and in Revolution Medicines and EQRxs other filings with the SEC incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See also the section titled Where You Can Find More Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus for more information about the SEC filings incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Revolution Medicines or EQRx or any person acting on its or their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. The forward-looking statements included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus are made only as of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Neither Revolution Medicines nor EQRx is under any obligation, and each expressly disclaims any obligation, to update, alter, or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
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Revolution Medicines, Inc.
700 Saginaw Drive
Redwood City, California 94063
(650) 481-6801
Revolution Medicines is a clinical-stage precision oncology company focused on developing targeted therapies to inhibit frontier targets in RAS-addicted cancers. Revolution Medicines possess sophisticated structure-based drug discovery capabilities built upon deep chemical biology and cancer pharmacology know-how and innovative, proprietary technologies that enable the creation of small molecules tailored to unconventional binding sites. Revolution Medicines understanding of genetic drivers and adaptive resistance mechanisms in cancer, coupled with robust drug discovery and medicinal chemistry capabilities, has guided it to establish a deep pipeline targeting critical signaling nodes within the RAS pathway and associated pathways. This cohesive approach underpins its clinical strategy of exploring mechanism-based dosing paradigms and in-pathway combinations to optimize treatment for cancer patients.
Revolution Medicines research and development pipeline comprises RAS(ON) inhibitors that bind directly to RAS variants, which it refers to as RAS(ON) Inhibitors, and RAS companion inhibitors that target key nodes in the RAS pathway or associated pathways, which it refer to as RAS Companion Inhibitors. Revolution Medicines RAS Companion Inhibitors are designed primarily for combination treatment strategies involving one or more therapeutic agents, which particularly may include our RAS(ON) Inhibitors. Revolution Medicines long-term goal is to combine our RAS(ON) Inhibitors with selected RAS Companion Inhibitors or other therapies on behalf of patients based on molecular tumor features.
Revolution Medicines common stock is listed on Nasdaq Select under the ticker symbol RVMD.
For more information about Revolution Medicines, please visit Revolution Medicines website at www.revmed.com. The information contained on Revolution Medicines website or accessible through it (other than the documents specifically incorporated by reference herein) does not constitute a part of this joint proxy statement/prospectus or any other report or document on file with or furnished to the SEC. Additional information about Revolution Medicines is included in the documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See the section titled Where You Can Find More Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Equinox Merger Sub, Inc.
700 Saginaw Drive
Redwood City, California 94063
(650) 481-6801
Equinox Merger Sub, Inc., a newly formed and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines, is a Delaware corporation that was formed on July 21, 2023, for the sole purpose of effecting the mergers. Under the merger agreement, Equinox Merger Sub, Inc. will merge with and into EQRx as of the effective time, and EQRx will continue as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines. Equinox Merger Sub, Inc. will be renamed EQRx, Inc. following the completion of the first merger.
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Equinox Merger Sub II LLC
700 Saginaw Drive
Redwood City, California 94063
(650) 481-6801
Equinox Merger Sub II LLC, a newly formed and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines, is a Delaware limited liability company that was formed on July 21, 2023, for the sole purpose of effecting the mergers. Under the merger agreement, Equinox Merger Sub II LLC will merge with and into EQRx as of the effective time of the second merger, and Equinox Merger Sub II LLC will continue as the surviving entity and a wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines. Equinox Merger Sub II LLC will be renamed EQRx, LLC following the completion of the mergers.
EQRx, Inc.
50 Hampshire Street
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
(617) 315-2255
EQRx is a biopharmaceutical company with a focus on developing and commercializing innovative medicines for some of the most prevalent disease areas, including cancer and immune-inflammatory conditions.
EQRx common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global under the ticker symbol EQRX.
For more information about EQRx, please visit EQRxs website at https://eqrx.com/. The information contained on EQRxs website or accessible through it (other than the documents specifically incorporated by reference herein) does not constitute a part of this joint proxy statement/prospectus or any other report or document on file with or furnished to the SEC. Additional information about EQRx is included in the documents incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See the section titled Where You Can Find More Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
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THE REVOLUTION MEDICINES SPECIAL MEETING
This joint proxy statement/prospectus is being mailed on or about [●], 2023 to holders of record of Revolution Medicines common stock as of the close of business on [●] and constitutes notice of the Revolution Medicines special meeting in conformity with the requirements of the DGCL and the bylaws of Revolution Medicines, which are referred to as the Revolution Medicines bylaws.
This joint proxy statement/prospectus is being provided to Revolution Medicines stockholders as part of a solicitation of proxies by the Revolution Medicines board of directors for use at the Revolution Medicines special meeting and at any adjournments or postponements of the Revolution Medicines special meeting. Revolution Medicines stockholders are encouraged to read the entire document carefully, including the annexes to and documents incorporated by reference into this document, for more detailed information regarding the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.
Date, Time and Place of the Revolution Medicines Special Meeting
The Revolution Medicines special meeting is scheduled to be held completely virtually at the Revolution Medicines special meeting website, at [●], on [●], 2023, beginning at [●], Pacific Time, unless adjourned or postponed to a later date and/or time.
Matters to be Considered at the Revolution Medicines Special Meeting
The purposes of the Revolution Medicines special meeting are as follows, each as further described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus:
| Revolution Medicines Proposal #1: Revolution Medicines Share Issuance Proposal. To consider and vote on the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal; and |
| Revolution Medicines Proposal #2: Revolution Medicines Adjournment Proposal. To consider and vote on the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal. |
Recommendation of the Revolution Medicines Board of Directors
The Revolution Medicines board of directors recommends that Revolution Medicines stockholders vote:
| Revolution Medicines Proposal #1: FOR the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal; and |
| Revolution Medicines Proposal #2: FOR the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal. |
After careful consideration, the Revolution Medicines board of directors (1) adopted and approved the merger agreement and the consummation of the transactions upon the terms and conditions set forth in the merger agreement, (2) determined that the terms of the merger agreement, the mergers and the other transactions are fair to, and in the best interests of, Revolution Medicines and its stockholders, (3) directed that the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal be submitted to the stockholders of Revolution Medicines for adoption, (4) recommended that the stockholders of Revolution Medicines approve the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and (5) declared that the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal is advisable.
See also the section titled The MergersRecommendation of the Revolution Medicines Board of Directors; Revolution Medicines Reasons for the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Record Date for the Revolution Medicines Special Meeting and Voting Rights
The record date to determine who is entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Revolution Medicines special meeting is [●]. As of the close of business on the Revolution Medicines record date, there were [●] shares
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of Revolution Medicines common stock issued and outstanding, each entitled to vote at the Revolution Medicines special meeting. Each Revolution Medicines stockholder will have one vote for any matter properly brought before the Revolution Medicines special meeting for each share of Revolution Medicines common stock such holder held at the close of business on the Revolution Medicines record date. Only Revolution Medicines stockholders of record at the close of business on the Revolution Medicines record date are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Revolution Medicines special meeting.
Quorum; Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to conduct the Revolution Medicines special meeting. The holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of Revolution Medicines common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting must be represented at the Revolution Medicines special meeting electronically or by proxy in order to constitute a quorum. On the record date, there were [●] shares of Revolution Medicines common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Thus, the holders of [●] shares must be present or represented by proxy at the Revolution Medicines special meeting to establish a quorum. Abstentions will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists. If a quorum is not present, the Revolution Medicines special meeting will be adjourned until the holders of the number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock required to constitute a quorum attend, whether electronically or by proxy.
Banks, brokers or other nominees who hold shares in street name for a beneficial owner of those shares typically have the authority to vote in their discretion on routine proposals when they have not received instructions from beneficial owners. However, banks, brokers or other nominees are not allowed to exercise their voting discretion with respect to the approval of matters that are non-routine. Generally, a broker non-vote occurs on an item when (a) a bank, broker or other nominee has discretionary authority to vote on one or more routine proposals to be voted on at a meeting of stockholders, but is not permitted to vote on other non-routine proposals without instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares and (b) the beneficial owner fails to provide the bank, broker or other nominee with such instructions. Non-routine matters include the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal (Revolution Medicines Proposal #1) and the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal (Revolution Medicines Proposal #2). It is therefore not expected that there will be any broker non-votes at the Revolution Medicines Special Meeting, and consequently, with respect to the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal (Revolution Medicines Proposal #1) and the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal (Revolution Medicines Proposal #2), if you hold your shares of Revolution Medicines common stock in street name, your shares will not be voted on any matter unless you affirmatively instruct your bank, broker or other nominee how to vote your shares. It is therefore critical that you cast your vote by instructing your bank, broker or other nominee on how to vote.
If you submit a properly executed proxy card, even if you abstain from voting or vote against any or all of the proposals at the Revolution Medicines special meeting, your shares of Revolution Medicines common stock will be counted as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Revolution Medicines special meeting. Executed but unvoted proxies will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Revolution Medicines board of directors. If additional votes must be solicited to adopt the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal, it is expected that the meeting will be adjourned to solicit additional proxies.
Required Votes; Vote of Revolution Medicines Directors and Executive Officers
Proposal |
Votes Necessary | |||
Revolution Medicines Proposal #1 | Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal | Assuming a quorum is present at the Revolution Medicines special meeting, approval requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) at the Revolution Medicines special meeting on the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal.
An abstention, a broker non-vote or other failure to vote will have no effect on the outcome of the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal. |
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Proposal |
Votes Necessary | |||
Revolution Medicines Proposal #2 | Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal | Assuming a quorum is present at the Revolution Medicines special meeting, approval of the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) at the Revolution Medicines special meeting on the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal. An abstention, a broker non-vote or the failure of a Revolution Medicines stockholder not present at the meeting to vote will have no effect on the outcome of the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal. |
As of the Revolution Medicines record date, Revolution Medicines directors and executive officers, and their affiliates, as a group, owned and were entitled to vote [●] shares of Revolution Medicines common stock, or approximately [●]% of the total outstanding shares of Revolution Medicines common stock. Certain directors, executive officers and significant stockholders of Revolution Medicines have entered into voting agreements obligating them to vote their shares FOR the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and FOR the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal. See also the sections titled The Ancillary AgreementsRevolution Medicines Voting Agreements and Certain Beneficial Owners of Revolution Medicines Common Stock of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Methods of Voting
If you are a stockholder of record as of the record date for the Revolution Medicines special meeting, you may vote by proxy through the Internet, by telephone, or by mail, or by voting electronically at the Revolution Medicines special meeting. For shares held through a bank, broker or other nominee in street name instead of as a registered holder, you may vote by submitting your voting instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee. In most instances, you will be able to do this over the Internet, by telephone or by mail as indicated below. Please refer to the information from your bank, broker or other nominee on how to submit voting instructions. If you do not provide voting instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee, your shares of Revolution Medicines common stock will not be voted on the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal or the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal as your bank, broker or other nominee does not have discretionary authority to vote on such proposals at the Revolution Medicines special meeting; see the section titled Quorum; Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
| By Internet: If you are a stockholder of record, you can submit a proxy to vote at [●] and follow the instructions, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will need the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or your paper voting instruction form (if you received a paper copy of the proxy materials). |
| By Telephone: If you are a stockholder of record, you can submit a proxy to vote using a touch-tone telephone by calling [●] and follow the recorded instructions, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will need the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or your paper voting instruction form (if you received a paper copy of the proxy materials). |
| By Mail: If you have received a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail, you may complete, sign, date and return by mail the paper proxy card or voting instruction form sent to you in the envelope provided to you with your proxy materials or voting instruction form. |
| Live Electronically: All stockholders of record as of the record date may vote electronically at the Revolution Medicines special meeting throughout the duration of the meeting by logging into the meeting as a shareholder and clicking the Vote Here button. You will need the 16-digit control number included with your proxy materials. For more information on how to attend electronically, see the section titled Attending the Revolution Medicines Special Meeting of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. |
Registered stockholders who attend the Revolution Medicines special meeting may vote their shares live electronically even if they previously have voted their shares.
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If you are a stockholder of record, proxies submitted over the Internet, by telephone or by mail as described above should be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on [●], 2023. To reduce administrative costs and help the environment by conserving natural resources, Revolution Medicines asks that you submit a proxy to vote through the Internet, which is available 24 hours a day.
Notwithstanding the above, if your shares are held in street name by a bank, broker or other nominee, you should follow the instructions you receive from your bank, broker or other nominee on how to vote your shares.
If you deliver a proxy pursuant to this joint proxy statement/prospectus, but do not specify a choice with respect to any proposal set forth in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, your underlying shares of Revolution Medicines common stock will be voted on such uninstructed proposal in accordance with the recommendation of the Revolution Medicines board of directors. No matters other than the proposals listed above will be brought before the Revolution Medicines special meeting and the Revolution Medicines bylaws provide that the only business that may be conducted at the Revolution Medicines special meeting are those proposals brought before the meeting pursuant to this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Revocability of Proxies
Any stockholder giving a proxy has the right to revoke it before the proxy is voted at the Revolution Medicines special meeting by doing any of the following:
| delivering a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date prior to the Revolution Medicines special meeting, which should be delivered to the Secretary of Revolution Medicines at Revolution Medicines principal executive offices, if you voted by mail; |
| submitting a timely and valid later proxy to vote online at [●]; |
| calling [●] and following the recorded instructions; or |
| attending the Revolution Medicines special meeting and voting electronically. Simply attending the Revolution Medicines special meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy. |
Execution or revocation of a proxy will not in any way affect the stockholders right to attend the Revolution Medicines special meeting and vote live electronically at the Revolution Medicines special meeting.
Written notices of revocation and other communications with respect to the revocation of proxies should be addressed to:
Revolution Medicines, Inc.
Attn: Secretary
700 Saginaw Drive
Redwood City, California 94063
If your shares are held in street name and you previously provided voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker, bank or other nominee to revoke or change your voting instructions.
Proxy Solicitation Costs
Revolution Medicines is soliciting proxies to provide an opportunity to all Revolution Medicines stockholders to vote on agenda items, whether or not the stockholders are able to attend the Revolution Medicines special meeting or an adjournment or postponement thereof. Revolution Medicines will bear the cost of soliciting proxies from its stockholders. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, Revolution Medicines will ask banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward the proxy
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solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock held of record by such nominee holders. Revolution Medicines may be required to reimburse these nominee holders for their customary clerical and mailing expenses incurred in forwarding the proxy solicitation materials to the beneficial owners.
Revolution Medicines has retained Morrow to assist in the solicitation process. Revolution Medicines estimates that it will pay Morrow a fee of approximately $[●], plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses. Revolution Medicines also has agreed to indemnify Morrow against various liabilities and expenses that relate to or arise out of its solicitation of proxies (subject to certain exceptions). Proxies may be solicited on behalf of Revolution Medicines or by Revolution Medicines directors, officers and other employees by mail, telephone, electronic means (including by facsimile, via the Internet or by other means of electronic communication) or in person. Directors, officers and employees of Revolution Medicines will not be paid any additional amounts for their services or solicitation in this regard.
Attending the Revolution Medicines Special Meeting
You are entitled to attend the Revolution Medicines special meeting only if you are a stockholder of record of Revolution Medicines at the close of business on [●] (the record date for the Revolution Medicines special meeting) or you hold your shares of Revolution Medicines beneficially in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee as of the Revolution Medicines record date, or you hold a valid proxy for the Revolution Medicines special meeting.
To participate in the Revolution Medicines special meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or on the voting instruction form that accompanied your proxy materials. The meeting webcast will begin promptly at [●], Pacific Time. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time. Online check-in will begin at [●], Pacific Time, and you should allow ample time for check-in procedures. If you hold your shares through a bank or broker, instructions should also be provided on the voting instruction form provided by your bank or brokerage firm. If you lose your 16-digit control number, you may join the Revolution Medicines special meeting as a Guest, but you will not be able to vote, ask questions, or access the list of stockholders as of the record date.
If you plan to attend the Revolution Medicines special meeting and vote electronically, Revolution Medicines still encourages you to submit a proxy to vote in advance by the Internet, by telephone or (if you received a paper copy of the proxy materials) by mail so that your vote will be counted even if you later decide not to attend the Revolution Medicines special meeting. Submitting your proxy by the Internet, by telephone or by mail will not limit your right to vote at the Revolution Medicines special meeting if you later decide to attend electronically.
Householding
The SECs rules permit us to deliver a single set of proxy materials to one address shared by two or more of our stockholders. This delivery method is referred to as householding and can result in significant cost savings. To take advantage of this opportunity, we have delivered only one set of proxy materials to multiple stockholders who share an address, unless we received contrary instructions from the impacted stockholders prior to the mailing date. We agree to deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a separate set of proxy materials, as requested, to any stockholder at the shared address to which a single set of those documents was delivered. If you prefer to receive separate copies of the proxy materials, contact Revolution Medicines Secretary at 700 Saginaw Drive, Redwood City, California 94063, (650) 481-6801.
If you are currently a stockholder sharing an address with another stockholder and wish to receive only one set of future proxy materials for your household, please contact Revolution Medicines Secretary at the above address or phone number.
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Tabulation of Votes
The Revolution Medicines board of directors will appoint an independent inspector of election for the Revolution Medicines special meeting. The inspector of election will, among other matters, determine the number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock represented electronically or by proxy at the Revolution Medicines special meeting to confirm the existence of a quorum, determine the validity of all proxies and ballots and certify the results of voting on all proposals submitted to Revolution Medicines stockholders.
Adjournments
If a quorum is present at the Revolution Medicines special meeting but there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Revolution Medicines special meeting to approve the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal, then Revolution Medicines stockholders may be asked to vote on the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal.
At any subsequent reconvening of the Revolution Medicines special meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the original meeting and all proxies will be voted in the same manner as they would have been voted at the original convening of the Revolution Medicines special meeting, except for any proxies that have been effectively revoked or withdrawn prior to the time the proxy is voted at the reconvened meeting or in the event that a new record date has been fixed for the meeting.
No Appraisal Rights
Appraisal rights are statutory rights that, if applicable under law, enable stockholders of a corporation to dissent from an extraordinary transaction, such as a merger, and to demand that such corporation pay the fair value for their shares as determined by a court in a judicial proceeding instead of receiving the consideration offered to such stockholders in connection with the transaction. Under the DGCL, stockholders generally do not have appraisal rights if the shares of stock they hold are either listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, appraisal rights are available if stockholders are required by the terms of the merger agreement to accept for their shares anything other than (a) shares of stock of the surviving corporation, (b) shares of stock of another corporation that will either be listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 holders, (c) cash in lieu of fractional shares or (d) any combination of the foregoing.
Because Revolution Medicines common stock is listed on Nasdaq Select, a national securities exchange, and because EQRx stockholders are not required by the terms of the merger agreement to accept for their shares of EQRx common stock anything other than shares of Revolution Medicines common stock and cash in lieu of fractional shares, holders of EQRx common stock are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the mergers.
Assistance
If you need assistance voting or in completing your proxy card or have questions regarding the Revolution Medicines special meeting or the mergers, please contact Morrow, the proxy solicitor for Revolution Medicines:
Morrow Sodali LLC
509 Madison Avenue
12th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Email: RVMD@info.morrowsodali.com
REVOLUTION MEDICINES STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IN ITS ENTIRETY FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION CONCERNING THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE MERGERS. IN PARTICULAR, REVOLUTION MEDICINES STOCKHOLDERS ARE DIRECTED TO THE MERGER AGREEMENT, WHICH IS ATTACHED AS ANNEX A HERETO.
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REVOLUTION MEDICINES PROPOSAL #1: REVOLUTION MEDICINES SHARE ISSUANCE PROPOSAL
This joint proxy statement/prospectus is being furnished to you as a stockholder of Revolution Medicines as part of the solicitation of proxies by the Revolution Medicines board of directors for use at the Revolution Medicines special meeting to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the issuance of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock in the mergers pursuant to the merger agreement, which is attached as Annex A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The Revolution Medicines board of directors, after due and careful discussion and consideration, adopted and approved the merger agreement and the consummation of the transactions upon the terms and conditions set forth in the merger agreement, including the issuance of Revolution Medicines common stock, and determined that the terms of the merger agreement, the mergers and the other transactions, including the issuance of Revolution Medicines common stock, are fair to, and in the best interests of, Revolution Medicines and its stockholders.
It is a condition to the completion of the mergers that Revolution Medicines stockholders approve the issuance of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock (including all securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of Revolution Medicines common stock) in the mergers. In the mergers, each EQRx stockholder will receive, for each eligible share of EQRx common stock that is issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time of the mergers, such number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock equal to the exchange ratio, as further described in the sections titled The MergersMerger Consideration and The Merger AgreementMerger Consideration.
Under Nasdaq rules, a company is required to obtain stockholder approval prior to the issuance of shares of common stock if the number of shares of common stock to be issued is, or will be upon issuance, equal to or in excess of 20% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding before the issuance of the shares of common stock. If the mergers are completed pursuant to the merger agreement, Revolution Medicines expects to issue up to approximately [●] shares of Revolution Medicines common stock in connection with the mergers based on the number of shares of EQRx common stock outstanding as of [●], 2023, the latest practicable date prior to the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and assuming that the exchange ratio is [●], as determined by the volume-weighted average price per share of Revolution Medicines common stock for the five trading days ending on [●], 2023. Accordingly, the aggregate number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock that Revolution Medicines will issue in the mergers will exceed 20% of the shares of Revolution Medicines common stock outstanding before such issuance, and for this reason, Revolution Medicines is seeking the approval of Revolution Medicines stockholders for the issuance of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock pursuant to the merger agreement. In the event the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal is not approved by Revolution Medicines stockholders, the mergers will not be completed.
In the event the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal is approved by Revolution Medicines stockholders, but the merger agreement is terminated (without the mergers being completed) prior to the issuance of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock pursuant to the merger agreement, Revolution Medicines will not issue any shares of Revolution Medicines common stock as a result of the approval of the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal.
The Revolution Medicines board of directors accordingly recommends that Revolution Medicines stockholders approve the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal.
Assuming a quorum is present at the Revolution Medicines special meeting, approval of the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) at the Revolution Medicines special meeting on the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal. An abstention, a broker non-vote or the failure of a Revolution
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Medicines stockholder not present at the meeting to vote will have no effect on the outcome of the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal.
IF YOU ARE A REVOLUTION MEDICINES STOCKHOLDER, THE REVOLUTION MEDICINES BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE SHARE ISSUANCE PROPOSAL (REVOLUTION MEDICINES PROPOSAL #1)
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REVOLUTION MEDICINES PROPOSAL #2: REVOLUTION MEDICINES ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL
The Revolution Medicines special meeting may be adjourned to another time and place if necessary to permit solicitation of additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal.
Revolution Medicines is asking its stockholders to authorize the holder of any proxy solicited by the Revolution Medicines board of directors to vote in favor of any adjournment of the Revolution Medicines special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Revolution Medicines special meeting to approve the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal. The vote on the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal is a vote separate and apart from the vote to Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal. Revolution Medicines does not intend to call a vote on this proposal if the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal is approved at the Revolution Medicines meeting.
The Revolution Medicines board of directors recommends that Revolution Medicines stockholders approve the proposal to adjourn the Revolution Medicines special meeting, if necessary.
Assuming a quorum is present at the Revolution Medicines special meeting, approval of the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) at the Revolution Medicines special meeting on the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal. An abstention, a broker non-vote or the failure of a Revolution Medicines stockholder not present at the meeting to vote will have no effect on the outcome of the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal.
IF YOU ARE A REVOLUTION MEDICINES STOCKHOLDER, THE REVOLUTION MEDICINES BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE REVOLUTION MEDICINES ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL (REVOLUTION MEDICINES PROPOSAL #2)
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This joint proxy statement/prospectus is being mailed on or about [●], 2023 to holders of record of EQRx common stock as of the close of business on [●] and constitutes notice of the EQRx special meeting in conformity with the requirements of the DGCL and the amended and restated by-laws of EQRx, which are referred to as the EQRx by-laws.
This joint proxy statement/prospectus is being provided to EQRx stockholders as part of a solicitation of proxies by the EQRx board of directors for use at the EQRx special meeting and at any adjournments or postponements of the EQRx special meeting. EQRx stockholders are encouraged to read the entire document carefully, including the annexes to and documents incorporated by reference into this document, for more detailed information regarding the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.
Date, Time and Place of the EQRx Special Meeting
The EQRx special meeting is scheduled to be held completely virtually at the EQRx special meeting website, at [●], on [●], 2023, beginning at [●], Eastern Time, unless adjourned or postponed to a later date and/or time.
Matters to be Considered at the EQRx Special Meeting
The purposes of the EQRx special meeting are as follows, each as further described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus:
| EQRx Proposal #1: Adoption of the Merger Agreement. To consider and vote on a proposal to adopt the merger agreement; |
| EQRx Proposal #2: EQRx Compensation Proposal. To consider and vote, on a non-binding, advisory basis, on the compensation that will or may be payable to EQRxs named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; and |
| EQRx Proposal #3: Adjournment of the EQRx Special Meeting. To adjourn the EQRx special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to adopt the merger agreement at the time of the EQRx special meeting. |
Recommendation of the EQRx Board of Directors
The EQRx board of directors recommends that EQRx stockholders vote:
| EQRx Proposal #1: FOR the EQRx merger agreement proposal; |
| EQRx Proposal #2: FOR the EQRx compensation proposal; and |
| EQRx Proposal #3: FOR the EQRx adjournment proposal. |
After careful consideration, the EQRx board of directors (1) determined that the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the mergers, is advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of EQRx and its stockholders, (2) approved and declared advisable the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, and (3) resolved to recommend the adoption of the merger agreement by EQRx stockholders.
See also the section titled The MergersRecommendation of the EQRx Board of Directors; EQRxs Reasons for the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
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Record Date for the EQRx Special Meeting and Voting Rights
The record date to determine who is entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the EQRx special meeting is [●]. As of the close of business on the EQRx record date, there were [●] shares of EQRx common stock issued and outstanding, each entitled to vote at the EQRx special meeting. Each EQRx stockholder will have one vote for each matter brought before the EQRx special meeting for each share of EQRx common stock such holder held at the close of business on the EQRx record date. Only EQRx stockholders of record at the close of business on the EQRx record date are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the EQRx special meeting.
Quorum; Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to conduct the EQRx special meeting. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding shares of EQRx common stock as of [●], the EQRx record date, are present at the EQRx special meeting or represented by proxy. On the record date, there were [●] shares of EQRx common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Thus, the holders of [●] shares must be present or represented by proxy at the EQRx special meeting to establish a quorum. Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you virtually attend the EQRx special meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If a quorum is not present, the EQRx special meeting will be adjourned or postponed until the holders of the number of shares of EQRx common stock required to constitute a quorum are present.
If your shares are held by your bank or broker as your nominee (that is, in street name), you will need to obtain a voting instruction form from the institution that holds your shares and follow the instructions included on that form regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your shares. If you do not give instructions to your broker, your broker can vote your shares with respect to discretionary items, but not with respect to non-discretionary items. Discretionary items are proposals considered routine under applicable rules on which your broker may vote shares held in street name without your voting instructions. On non-discretionary items for which you do not give your broker instructions, the shares will be treated as broker non-votes. All of the proposals at the EQRx special meeting are non-discretionary and, therefore, if you hold your shares through a broker, nominee, fiduciary or other custodian, your shares will not be voted on those proposals unless you provide voting instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee. It is therefore critical that you cast your vote by instructing your bank, broker or other nominee on how to vote.
If you submit a properly executed proxy card, even if you abstain from voting or vote against any or all of the proposals at the EQRx special meeting, your shares of EQRx common stock will be counted as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the EQRx special meeting. Executed but unvoted proxies will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the EQRx board of directors. If additional votes must be solicited to adopt the EQRx merger agreement proposal, it is expected that the meeting will be adjourned to solicit additional proxies.
Required Votes; Vote of EQRxs Directors and Executive Officers
The required votes for each of the proposals to be presented at the EQRx special meeting are summarized below:
Proposal |
Votes Necessary | |||
EQRx Proposal #1 | EQRx merger agreement proposal | Assuming a quorum is present at the EQRx special meeting, approval requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of EQRx common stock entitled to vote at the EQRx special meeting. An abstention, a broker non-vote or the failure of an EQRx stockholder to vote will have the same effect as a vote AGAINST the EQRx merger agreement proposal. |
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Proposal |
Votes Necessary | |||
EQRx Proposal #2 | EQRx compensation proposal | Assuming a quorum is present at the EQRx special meeting, approval, on an advisory, non-binding basis, requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes properly cast for and against the EQRx compensation proposal. An abstention, a broker non-vote or the failure of an EQRx stockholder to vote will have no effect on the outcome of the EQRx compensation proposal. | ||
EQRx Proposal #3 | EQRx adjournment proposal | Assuming a quorum is present at the EQRx special meeting, approval requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast for and against the EQRx adjournment proposal. An abstention, a broker non-vote or other failure to vote will have no effect on the outcome of the EQRx adjournment proposal. |
As of the EQRx record date, EQRx directors and executive officers, and their affiliates, as a group, owned and were entitled to vote [●] shares of EQRx common stock, or approximately [●]% of the total outstanding shares of EQRx common stock. Certain directors, executive officers and significant stockholders of EQRx have entered into voting agreements obligating them to vote their shares FOR the EQRx merger agreement proposal and FOR the EQRx adjournment proposal. See also the sections titled The Ancillary AgreementsEQRx Voting Agreements and Certain Beneficial Owners of EQRx Common Stock of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Methods of Voting
If you are a stockholder of record as of the record date for the EQRx special meeting, you may vote by proxy through the Internet, by telephone or by mail, or by voting live electronically at the EQRx special meeting. For shares held through a bank, broker or other nominee in street name instead of as a registered holder, you may vote by submitting your voting instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee. Please refer to the information from your bank, broker or other nominee on how to submit voting instructions. If you do not provide voting instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee, your shares of EQRx common stock will not be voted on any proposal as your bank, broker or other nominee does not have discretionary authority to vote on such proposals at the EQRx special meeting; see the section titled Quorum; Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
| By Internet: You may vote by using the Internet at [●] by following the instructions for Internet voting on the proxy card mailed to you. Internet voting is available 24 hours a day and will be accessible until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on [●]. Easy-to-follow instructions allow you to vote your shares and confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded. |
| By Mail: You may vote by mail by completing, signing, dating and mailing a proxy card. |
| By Telephone: To vote over the telephone, dial toll-free [●] and follow the recorded instructions. You will be asked to provide the company number and control number from the meeting notice. Your telephone vote must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on [●], 2023, to be counted. |
| Live Electronically: All stockholders of record as of the record date may vote electronically at the EQRx special meeting throughout the duration of the meeting by logging into the meeting as a shareholder and clicking the Vote Here button. You will need the 16-digit control number included with your proxy materials. For more information on how to attend electronically, see the section titled Attending the EQRx Special Meeting of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. |
Even if you plan to attend the EQRx special meeting, we recommend that you also submit your proxy or voting instructions by Internet, telephone or mail so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the EQRx special meeting. Registered stockholders who attend the EQRx special meeting may vote their shares live electronically even if they previously have voted their shares. If you are a stockholder of record, proxies submitted
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over the Internet, by telephone or by mail as described above should be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on [●], 2023. To reduce administrative costs and help the environment by conserving natural resources, EQRx asks that you submit a proxy to vote through the Internet, which is available 24 hours a day.
Notwithstanding the above, if your shares are held in street name by a bank, broker or other nominee, you should follow the instructions you receive from your bank, broker or other nominee on how to vote your shares.
If you deliver a proxy pursuant to this joint proxy statement/prospectus, but do not specify a choice with respect to any proposal set forth in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, your underlying shares of EQRx common stock will be voted on such uninstructed proposal in accordance with the recommendation of the EQRx board of directors. No matters other than the proposals listed above will be brought before the EQRx special meeting and the EQRx by-laws provide that the only business that may be conducted at the EQRx special meeting are those proposals brought before the meeting pursuant to this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Revocability of Proxies
Any EQRx stockholder giving a proxy has the right to revoke it before the proxy is voted at the EQRx special meeting by doing any of the following:
| subsequently submitting a new proxy (including by submitting a proxy via the Internet or telephone) that is received prior to the EQRx special meeting (which should be received by the deadline specified on the accompanying proxy card in order to ensure that your proxy is counted); |
| delivering a written notice that you are revoking your proxy to the Corporate Secretary of EQRx at 50 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139. |
| attending the EQRx special meeting and voting electronically. Simply attending the meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy. |
Execution or revocation of a proxy will not in any way affect the stockholders right to attend the EQRx special meeting and vote electronically at the EQRx special meeting.
Written notices of revocation and other communications with respect to the revocation of proxies should be addressed to:
EQRx, Inc.
Attn: Corporate Secretary
50 Hampshire Street
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
If your shares are held in street name and you previously provided voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker, bank or other nominee to revoke or change your voting instructions.
Proxy Solicitation Costs
EQRx is soliciting proxies to provide an opportunity to all EQRx stockholders to vote on agenda items, whether or not the stockholders are able to attend the EQRx special meeting or an adjournment or postponement thereof. EQRx will bear the cost of soliciting proxies from its stockholders. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, EQRx will ask banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward the proxy solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of shares of EQRx common stock held of record by such nominee holders. EQRx may be required to reimburse these nominee holders for their customary clerical and mailing expenses incurred in forwarding the proxy solicitation materials to the beneficial owners.
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EQRx has retained MacKenzie Partners to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the EQRx special meeting for a fee of $[●], plus the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. EQRx has agreed to indemnify MacKenzie Partners against various liabilities and expenses that relate to or arise out of its solicitation of proxies (subject to certain exceptions). Proxies may be solicited on behalf of EQRx or by EQRx directors, officers and other employees by telephone, mail, electronic means (including by facsimile, via the Internet or by other means of electronic communication) or in person. Directors, officers and employees of EQRx will not be paid any additional amounts for their services or solicitation in this regard.
Attending the EQRx Special Meeting
You are entitled to attend the EQRx special meeting only if you are a stockholder of record of EQRx at the close of business on [●], 2023 (the record date for the EQRx special meeting) or you hold your shares of EQRx beneficially in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee as of the EQRx record date, or you hold a valid proxy for the EQRx special meeting.
If you are a stockholder of record of EQRx at the close of business on [●], 2023 and wish to attend the EQRx special meeting electronically, please so indicate on the appropriate proxy card or as prompted by the Internet system. Your name will be verified against the list of stockholders of record prior to your being admitted to the EQRx special meeting.
To participate in the EQRx special meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or on the voting instruction form that accompanied your proxy materials. The meeting webcast will begin promptly at [●], Eastern Time. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time. Online check-in will begin at [●], Eastern Time, and you should allow ample time for check-in procedures. If you hold your shares through a bank or broker, instructions should also be provided on the voting instruction form provided by your bank or brokerage firm.
If you plan to attend the EQRx special meeting and vote electronically, EQRx still encourages you to submit a proxy to vote in advance by the Internet, by telephone or (if you received a paper copy of the proxy materials) by mail so that your vote will be counted even if you later decide not to attend the EQRx special meeting. Submitting your proxy by the Internet, by telephone or by mail will not limit your right to vote at the EQRx special meeting if you later decide to attend virtually.
Householding
If you reside at the same address as another EQRx stockholder, you and other EQRx stockholders residing at the same address may receive a single copy of the proxy materials. This process, which has been approved by the SEC, is called householding. Once you receive notice from your broker or other nominee record holder that it will be householding the proxy materials, the practice will continue until you are otherwise notified or until you notify them that you no longer want to participate in the practice. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to have access to and utilize separate proxy voting instructions.
If you wish to receive a separate copy of the proxy materials, you may do so by making a written or oral request to: EQRx, Inc., 50 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, Attention: Corporate Secretary, telephone: [●]. Upon your request, we will promptly deliver a separate copy to you. If you want to receive your own set of the proxy materials in the future, or if you share an address with another stockholder and together both of you would like to receive only a single set of proxy materials, you should contact your broker or other nominee record holder directly or you may contact us at the above address and phone number.
Tabulation of Votes
The EQRx board of directors will appoint an independent inspector of election for the EQRx special meeting. The inspector of election will, among other matters, determine the number of shares of EQRx common
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stock represented electronically or by proxy at the EQRx special meeting to confirm the existence of a quorum, determine the validity of all proxies and ballots and certify the results of voting on all proposals submitted to EQRx stockholders.
Adjournments
If a quorum is present at the EQRx special meeting but there are not sufficient votes at the time of the EQRx special meeting to approve the merger agreement proposal, then EQRx stockholders may be asked to vote on the EQRx adjournment proposal.
Pursuant to the EQRx by-laws, the EQRx board of directors may postpone and reschedule any previously scheduled special meeting of stockholders and any record date with respect to such meeting, regardless of whether any notice or public disclosure with respect to any such meeting has been sent or made. Whether or not a quorum is present, the presiding officer of the EQRx special meeting also has the power to adjourn such EQRx special meeting from time to time if (i) no quorum is present for the transaction of business, (ii) the adjournment is necessary or appropriate to enable the stockholders to consider fully information which the EQRx board of directors determines has not been made sufficiently or timely available to stockholders, or (iii) the EQRx board of directors determines that adjournment is otherwise in the best interests of EQRx. When any meeting is adjourned to another hour, date or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting other than an announcement at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken of the hour, date and place, if any, to which the meeting is adjourned and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting. However, if the adjournment is for more than 30 days from the meeting date, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the adjourned meeting and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting and receive such notice.
At any subsequent reconvening of the EQRx special meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the original meeting and all proxies will be voted in the same manner as they would have been voted at the original convening of the EQRx special meeting, except for any proxies that have been effectively revoked or withdrawn prior to the time the proxy is voted at the reconvened meeting or in the event that a new record date has been fixed for the meeting.
Appraisal Rights
Appraisal rights are statutory rights that, if applicable under law, enable stockholders of a corporation to dissent from an extraordinary transaction, such as a merger, and to demand that such corporation pay the fair value for their shares as determined by a court in a judicial proceeding instead of receiving the consideration offered to such stockholders in connection with the transaction. Under the DGCL, stockholders do not have appraisal rights if the shares of stock they hold are either listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, appraisal rights are available if stockholders are required by the terms of the merger agreement to accept for their shares anything other than (a) shares of stock of the surviving corporation, (b) shares of stock of another corporation that will either be listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 holders, (c) cash in lieu of fractional shares or (d) any combination of the foregoing.
Because Revolution Medicines common stock is listed on Nasdaq Select, a national securities exchange, and because EQRx stockholders are not required by the terms of the merger agreement to accept for their shares of EQRx common stock anything other than shares of Revolution Medicines common stock and cash in lieu of fractional shares, holders of EQRx common stock are not entitled to appraisal rights in the mergers.
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Assistance
If you need assistance voting or in completing your proxy card or have questions regarding the EQRx special meeting or the mergers, please contact MacKenzie Partners, the proxy solicitor for EQRx:
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
1407 Broadway, 27th Floor
New York, New York 10018
Email: proxy@mackenziepartners.com
Call Toll-Free: 1-800-322-2885
EQRx STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IN ITS ENTIRETY FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION CONCERNING THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE MERGERS. IN PARTICULAR, EQRx STOCKHOLDERS ARE DIRECTED TO THE MERGER AGREEMENT, WHICH IS ATTACHED AS ANNEX A HERETO.
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EQRx PROPOSAL #1: EQRx MERGER AGREEMENT PROPOSAL
This joint proxy statement/prospectus is being furnished to you as an EQRx stockholder in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the EQRx board of directors for use at the EQRx special meeting. At the EQRx special meeting, EQRx is asking EQRx stockholders to consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the merger agreement, which is attached as Annex A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus, pursuant to which (i) Merger Sub I will merge with and into EQRx, which transaction is referred to as the first merger, with EQRx as the surviving corporation of the first merger and (ii) as soon as practicable after the first merger and as the second step in a single integrated transaction with the first merger, EQRx will merge with and into Merger Sub II, with Merger Sub II as the surviving company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines. Upon completion of the first merger, each share of EQRx common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (other than excluded EQRx shares) will be converted into the right to receive the merger consideration described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. EQRx stockholders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares as part of the merger consideration, as specified in the merger agreement.
The EQRx board of directors, after careful consideration, (i) determined that the mergers is advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, EQRx and its stockholders, (ii) approved and declared advisable the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, and (iii) resolved to recommend the adoption of the merger agreement by EQRx stockholders.
The mergers and a summary of the terms of the merger agreement are described in more detail in this joint proxy statement/prospectus under The Mergers and The Merger Agreement, and EQRx stockholders are encouraged to read the full text of the merger agreement, which is attached as Annex A hereto.
It is a condition to the completion of the mergers that EQRx stockholders approve the EQRx merger agreement proposal. The EQRx board of directors accordingly recommends that EQRx stockholders vote to approve the EQRx merger agreement proposal.
Assuming a quorum is present at the EQRx special meeting, the approval of the merger agreement proposal by EQRx stockholders requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of EQRx common stock entitled to vote at the EQRx special meeting. An abstention, a broker non-vote or the failure of an EQRx stockholder to vote (including the failure of an EQRx stockholder who holds shares in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee to give voting instructions to that bank, broker or other nominee) will have the same effect as a vote cast AGAINST the proposal to adopt the merger agreement.
IF YOU ARE AN EQRx STOCKHOLDER, THE EQRx BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE MERGER AGREEMENT PROPOSAL (EQRx PROPOSAL #1).
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EQRx PROPOSAL #2: EQRx COMPENSATION PROPOSAL
Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-21(c) thereunder, EQRx is required to submit to a non-binding, advisory stockholder vote certain compensation that may be paid or become payable to EQRxs named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the mergers as disclosed under The MergersInterests of EQRxs Directors and Executive Officers in the MergersQuantification of Payments and Benefits to EQRx Named Executive Officers. The EQRx compensation proposal gives EQRx stockholders the opportunity to express their views on the merger-related compensation of EQRxs named executive officers.
Accordingly, EQRx is asking EQRx stockholders to vote FOR the adoption of the following resolution, on a non-binding, advisory basis:
RESOLVED, that the compensation that may be paid or become payable to EQRxs named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the mergers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402(t) of Regulation S-K under the heading The MergersInterests of EQRxs Directors and Executive Officers in the MergersQuantification of Payments and Benefits to EQRx Named Executive Officers, including the associated narrative discussion and the agreements, plans, arrangements or understandings pursuant to which such compensation may be paid or become payable, are hereby APPROVED.
The vote on the EQRx compensation proposal is a vote separate and apart from the vote to adopt the merger agreement. Accordingly, if you are an EQRx stockholder, you may vote to approve the EQRx merger agreement proposal and vote not to approve the EQRx compensation proposal, and vice versa. The vote on the EQRx compensation proposal is advisory and non-binding. As a result, if the mergers are completed, the merger-related compensation may be paid to EQRxs named executive officers to the extent payable in accordance with the terms of the compensation agreements and arrangements even if EQRx stockholders do not approve the EQRx compensation proposal.
The EQRx board of directors accordingly recommends that EQRx stockholders vote to approve the EQRx compensation proposal.
Assuming a quorum is present at the EQRx special meeting, approval of the EQRx compensation proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes properly cast for and against the EQRx compensation proposal. An abstention, a broker non-vote or the failure of an EQRx stockholder to vote (including a failure to instruct your bank, broker or other nominee to vote) will have no effect on the outcome of the EQRx compensation proposal.
IF YOU ARE AN EQRx STOCKHOLDER, THE EQRx BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE EQRx COMPENSATION PROPOSAL (EQRx PROPOSAL #2).
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EQRx PROPOSAL #3: EQRX ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL
The EQRx special meeting may be adjourned to another time and place if necessary to permit solicitation of additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the EQRx merger agreement proposal.
EQRx is asking its stockholders to authorize the holder of any proxy solicited by the EQRx board of directors to vote in favor of any adjournment of the EQRx special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the EQRx special meeting to approve the EQRx merger agreement proposal. The vote on the EQRx adjournment proposal is a vote separate and apart from the vote to approve the EQRx merger agreement proposal. EQRx does not intend to call a vote on this proposal if the EQRx merger agreement proposal is approved at the EQRx special meeting.
The EQRx board of directors recommends that EQRx stockholders vote to approve the EQRx adjournment proposal.
Assuming a quorum is present at the EQRx special meeting, approval of the EQRx adjournment proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes properly cast for and against the EQRx adjournment proposal. An abstention, a broker non-vote or the failure of an EQRx stockholder to vote (including the failure of an EQRx stockholder who holds shares in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee to give voting instructions to that bank, broker or other nominee) will have no effect on the outcome of the EQRx adjournment proposal.
IF YOU ARE AN EQRx STOCKHOLDER, THE EQRx BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE EQRx ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL (EQRx PROPOSAL #3).
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The following is a description of material aspects of the mergers. While Revolution Medicines and EQRx believe that the following description covers the material terms of the mergers, the description may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You are encouraged to read carefully this entire joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the text of the merger agreement attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A, for a more complete understanding of the mergers. In addition, important business and financial information about each of Revolution Medicines and EQRx is included in or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See the section titled Where You Can Find More Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
General
Revolution Medicines, Inc., which is referred to as Revolution Medicines, EQRx, Inc., which is referred to as EQRx, Equinox Merger Sub I, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines, which is referred to as Merger Sub I, and Equinox Merger Sub II LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines, which is referred to as Merger Sub II have entered into the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 31, 2023 (as it may be amended from time to time), referred to herein as the merger agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, (i) Merger Sub I will merge with and into EQRx, referred to herein as the first merger, with EQRx as the surviving corporation, referred to herein as the first merger surviving corporation, in the first merger and continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines and (ii) as soon as practicable after the first merger and as the second step in a single integrated transaction with the first merger, EQRx will merge with and into Merger Sub II, referred to herein as the second merger, with Merger Sub II as the surviving company, referred to herein as the surviving company, in the second merger and continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines. The first merger and the second merger together are referred to as the mergers.
As a result of the first merger, the separate existence of Merger Sub I will cease and EQRx will continue its existence under the laws of the State of Delaware as the first merger surviving corporation and as a wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines. As a result of the second merger, the separate existence of EQRx will cease and Merger Sub II will continue its existence under the laws of the State of Delaware as the surviving company and as a wholly owned subsidiary of Revolution Medicines. Following consummation of the mergers, the surviving companys name will be EQRx, LLC.
Merger Consideration
At the effective time, by virtue of the first merger and without any further action on the part of Revolution Medicines, Merger Sub I, EQRx, or any stockholder of EQRx or Merger Sub I, each share of EQRx common stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (other than excluded EQRx shares) will be converted into the right to receive a number of validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Revolution Medicines common stock equal to the exchange ratio, which shares of Revolution Medicines common stock (in the aggregate) are referred to herein as the merger consideration. No fractional shares of Revolution Medicines common stock will be issued as merger consideration, and EQRx stockholders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares as part of the merger consideration, as specified in the merger agreement. At the effective time, all excluded EQRx shares will be cancelled and retired and will cease to exist, and no consideration will be delivered in exchange for such shares.
The exchange ratio will be determined by dividing (i) the aggregate number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued as merger consideration by (ii) the number of shares of EQRx common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time, determined in accordance with the merger agreement.
The exchange ratio numerator (i.e., the aggregate number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued as merger consideration) will equal the sum (rounded to the nearest whole share) of (i) 7,692,308
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shares of Revolution Medicines common stock, plus (ii) an additional number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock, which will be determined prior to the EQRx special meeting by dividing (a) $870,000,000 by (b) (1) the pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP, multiplied by (2) 0.94.
The exchange ratio denominator (i.e., the number of shares of EQRx common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time, determined in accordance with the merger agreement) will:
| take into account the number of shares of EQRx common stock subject to in-the-money EQRx options and EQRx RSUs and include shares of EQRx restricted stock; |
| include 10% of the shares of EQRx common stock subject to EQRx warrants; and |
| include 10% of the shares of EQRx common stock subject to the EQRx earn-out (to the extent not waived by the applicable EQRx earn-out holder, as described further below in the section titled The Merger AgreementTreatment of EQRx Equity Awards, EQRx Warrants and the EQRx Earn-Out of this joint proxy statement/prospectus). |
The exchange ratio is floating, which means that it will change between now and the date of the EQRx special meeting, depending upon the pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP. The exchange ratio will be calculated promptly following the determination of the pre-EQRx special meeting VWAP, which will be known following the closing of the Nasdaq Select market on the sixth business day prior to the scheduled EQRx special meeting date as set forth in the notice of meeting included in the definitive form of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. EQRx and Revolution Medicines will publicly disclose the exchange ratio pursuant to a press release and/or the filing of Current Reports on Form 8-K with the SEC. See the section titled Where You Can Find More Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The market price of Revolution Medicines common stock has fluctuated since the date of the announcement of the merger agreement and may continue to fluctuate from the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus to the date of the special meetings, the date the mergers are completed and thereafter. The market price of Revolution Medicines common stock, when received by EQRx equityholders after the mergers are completed, could be greater than, less than or the same as the market price of Revolution Medicines common stock on the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus or at the time of the special meetings.
Accordingly, you should obtain current market quotations for Revolution Medicines common stock and EQRx common stock before deciding how to vote with respect to any of the proposals described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Revolution Medicines common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Select under the symbol RVMD and EQRx common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global under the symbol EQRX.
Treatment of EQRx equity awards, EQRx warrants and the EQRx earn-out is described in the section titled The Merger AgreementTreatment of EQRx Equity Awards, EQRx Warrants and the EQRx Earn-Out of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Completion and Effectiveness of the Mergers
The closing of the mergers, or the closing, will take place through the electronic exchange of required documentation as soon as reasonably practicable, and in no event later than two business days after the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions for completion of the mergers set forth in the merger agreement (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of each of such conditions), or at such other time, place and/or date as Revolution Medicines and EQRx may mutually agree in writing. The date on which the closing actually takes place is referred to herein as the closing date. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the closing described in the section titled The Merger AgreementConditions to the Completion of the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including receipt of the required Revolution Medicines stockholder approval and the required EQRx stockholder
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approval, it is anticipated that the mergers will close in November 2023. However, neither Revolution Medicines nor EQRx can predict the actual date on which the mergers will be completed, or if the completion will occur at all, because completion is subject to conditions and factors outside the control of both companies. It is possible that factors outside the control of both companies could result in the mergers being completed at a different time, or not at all.
On the date of the closing, EQRx, Merger Sub I and Merger Sub II will, as applicable, file, with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as provided under the DGCL and the DLLCA, as applicable, (i) the certificate of merger relating to the first merger, which is referred to as the first certificate of merger, and (ii) as soon as practicable after the effective time, and in any case, on the same day as the effective time, the certificate of merger relating to the second merger, which is referred to as the second certificate of merger. The first merger will become effective at the time of the filing of the first certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later time as may be designated jointly by Revolution Medicines and EQRx and specified in the first certificate of merger. The second merger will become effective at the time of the filing of the second certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later time as may be designated jointly by Revolution Medicines and EQRx and specified in the second certificate of merger.
Background of the Mergers
The following chronology summarizes the key meetings and events that led to the signing of the merger agreement. The following chronology does not purport to catalogue every conversation among the EQRx board of directors, the Revolution Medicines board of directors, or respective committees thereof or the representatives of EQRx, Revolution Medicines and/or other parties.
In August 2019, EQRx, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware as a new type of pharmaceutical company committed to developing and delivering innovative medicines to patients at radically lower prices (this entity is referred to as Legacy EQRx). Legacy EQRxs mission was to improve health for all with innovative and affordable medicines so that people with life-changing or chronic conditions could gain access to the medicines they need, physicians could treat patients without barriers to prescribing, and health systems could afford to make those medicines available, without restrictions, to the populations they serve in a financially sustainable manner. Launched in January 2020, Legacy EQRxs New Pharma strategy focused on assembling a catalog of medicines at significant scale, targeting some of the most innovative clinical opportunities and highest drug cost categories, with an initial focus on oncology and immune-inflammatory diseases.
On August 5, 2021, Legacy EQRx entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with CM Life Sciences III Inc., referred to as CMLS III, a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, formed for the purpose of effecting a business combination with one or more businesses. Pursuant to this agreement, CMLS III agreed to acquire Legacy EQRx for aggregate consideration of approximately $4.2 billion, payable in the form of shares of common stock of CMLS III valued at $10.00 per share, including a $500 million earn-out based on EQRxs post-closing share price performance, referred to as the EQRx earn-out shares. If the EQRx share price was greater than or equal to $12.50 at any time between the 12-month anniversary of the closing and the 36-month anniversary of the closing, 35 million EQRx earn-out shares could be earned, and if the EQRx share price was greater than or equal to $16.50, an additional 15 million EQRx earn-out shares could be earned. CMLS III also concurrently entered into subscription agreements with certain investors, referred to as the PIPE Investors, pursuant to which the PIPE Investors subscribed for shares of common stock of CMLS III at a price of $10.00 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $1.2 billion, referred to as the PIPE Financing.
On December 17, 2021, Legacy EQRx completed the business combination with CMLS III, and CMLS III changed its name to EQRx, Inc. (the former name of Legacy EQRx). At the closing, (i) an aggregate of approximately 343 million shares of CMLS III common stock were issued in exchange for the shares of Legacy EQRx outstanding as of immediately prior to the closing and (ii) an aggregate of approximately 120 million shares of CMLS III common stock were issued to the PIPE Investors in the PIPE Financing. At the closing, each
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outstanding equity award of Legacy EQRx was assumed by CMLS III, and the EQRx earn-out shares were issued into escrow to be held pending the occurrence of the applicable triggering event(s) for release to the Legacy EQRx securityholders. Following the closing, all shares of CMLS III common stock were redesignated as common stock of EQRx, and each outstanding warrant of CMLS III (consisting of both public and private warrants) became exercisable for shares of common stock of EQRx.
Following completion of the business combination with CMLS III, EQRx continued to focus on oncology and immune-inflammatory diseases, with five clinical-stage programs, and several other preclinical and drug engineering programs. EQRxs late-stage programs included (1) aumolertinib, a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, which was in-licensed from Hansoh (Shanghai) Healthtech Co., LTD and Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Company LTD in 2020, and (2) sugemalimab, an anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody, which was in-licensed from CStone Pharmaceuticals in 2020. The other clinical-stage programs in EQRxs pipeline included: (i) lerociclib, a novel, oral, potent, and selective small molecule cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor being evaluated for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer; (ii) nofazinlimab, an anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) antibody being evaluated for the treatment of patients with primary liver cancer; and (iii) EQ121, a novel, highly selective janus kinase-1 (JAK-1) inhibitor being evaluated for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. EQRx also pursued the assembly of a Global Buyers Club by entering into strategic partnerships with private and public payers, providers and health systems so they and the patients they serve could gain access to EQRxs future medicines, if approved, at radically lower prices.
On a periodic basis, members of EQRx management met with representatives of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, referred to as the FDA, regarding possible paths to approval for EQRxs product candidates in the United States. In this regard, during the Fall of 2022, members of EQRx management had a number of discussions and other communications with representatives of the FDA to gain clarity on the regulatory paths forward for aumolertinib and sugemalimab. During these discussions, it became apparent that only the final overall survival results of a second Phase 3 trial comparing sugemalimab with approved PD(L)1 therapy with an OS endpoint in a representative, diverse U.S. population would support a U.S. New Drug Application, referred to as an NDA, for a Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) indication, and that interim study readouts of such a trial would not be supportive of a NDA filing based on the existing GEMSTONE-302 study in China, which would materially impact the timing and associated costs for regulatory approval in the United States. In addition, based on these interactions with the FDA, EQRx believed that a potential U.S. regulatory filing for aumolertinib might not occur until 2027.
On October 24, 2022, the EQRx board of directors held a meeting at which members of senior management and a representative of EQRxs outside counsel, Goodwin Procter LLP, referred to as Goodwin, were present. At this meeting, management provided the EQRx board of directors with an update on the development status and timelines for aumolertinib and sugemalimab, the recent interactions with the FDA regarding each program, the companys cash spend and runway, and organizational growth matters. The meeting participants discussed the strategic implications of these matters, including the challenges in adapting EQRxs initial commercial and pricing models, plans and strategies to accommodate the current U.S. regulatory environment, and the expected financial and operational impact. The EQRx board of directors also discussed the potential engagement of a financial advisor to assist in a review of strategic alternatives that might be available to EQRx.
On October 27, 2022, the EQRx board of directors held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and representatives of Goodwin were present. At this meeting, the EQRx board of directors continued its discussion of the strategic implications of the recent interactions with the FDA regarding aumolertinib and sugemalimab and the expected financial and operational impact on EQRx. The meeting participants also discussed undertaking a review of strategic alternatives that might be available to EQRx, and the representatives of Goodwin reviewed with the directors their fiduciary duties in that context. At the conclusion of this meeting, the EQRx board of directors directed management to identify a financial advisor to provide financial advisory services to EQRx in connection with this strategic review.
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On November 9, 2022, the EQRx board of directors held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, the representatives of Goldman Sachs reviewed certain strategic alternatives for EQRx, including (i) a potential sale of the company, (ii) a merger of equals transaction, (iii) a partnership/licensing transaction, and (iv) a take-private transaction. The representatives of Goldman Sachs then reviewed with the EQRx board of directors lists of (i) 20 parties that might be potentially interested in a strategic acquisition of the company, which included large global pharmaceutical companies, U.S. mid-cap, publicly-traded biopharmaceutical companies, Asian biopharmaceutical companies, and European biopharmaceutical companies, and (ii) four biopharmaceutical companies that might be potentially interested in a merger. Following discussion, the EQRx board of directors authorized representatives of Goldman Sachs and EQRx senior management, as appropriate, to contact the 24 parties discussed at the meeting to determine their potential interest in a strategic transaction with EQRx.
On November 10, 2022, EQRx issued a press release reporting its third quarter 2022 financial results and providing updates on its portfolio and U.S. commercial strategy. In the press release, EQRx indicated that, based on recent FDA feedback, EQRx had concluded that there was no commercially viable path for sugemalimab plus chemotherapy in Stage IV NSCLC in the United States, but EQRx would continue to pursue ex-U.S. approvals based on existing data. In addition, EQRx indicated that it intended to prioritize development of aumolertinib and lerociclib and adopt market-based pricing for these products in the United States only. The press release also noted that, based on recent interactions with the FDA, EQRx believed that results of the ongoing Phase 3b study comparing the combination of aumolertinib and chemotherapy versus either osimertinib or aumolertinib alone could potentially support the use of aumolertinib in combination with chemotherapy as a future standard of care and/or as a monotherapy for EGFR-mutated NSCLC. The press release further noted EQRx believed that an interim comparison of the monotherapy arms would not address the FDAs applicability concerns, and thus EQRx did not anticipate a filing for a monotherapy indication prior to the final results of the study.
Commencing on November 14, 2022, at the direction of the EQRx board of directors, representatives of Goldman Sachs and EQRx senior management contacted the 24 parties discussed at the November 9th meeting, plus an additional four parties subsequently identified by Goldman Sachs in consultation with EQRx management. While several of these parties expressed initial interest in engaging in discussions with EQRx, only two parties, referred to as Party A and Party B, subsequently entered into a confidentiality agreement with EQRx in order to facilitate discussions regarding a potential merger. None of the other parties expressed an interest in further exploring an acquisition of, or merger with, EQRx. The parties that declined to engage with EQRx on such a transaction cited one or more of the following reasons: (i) absence of clinical differentiation for EQRxs product candidates; (ii) prioritization of other oncology targets or indications; (iii) focus on investment on novel mechanisms; (iv) resource constraints to effect a large acquisition; and/or (v) general lack of interest in a business combination with EQRx. Several of these parties, however, did express potential interest in specific assets of EQRx. In particular, EQRx senior management continued to engage in discussions with one of these parties, referred to as Party C, over several months with respect to a strategic partnering transaction with EQRx as described below. EQRx also continued to engage in further discussions with other parties regarding specific assets as part of its on-going business development activities. The EQRx board of directors utilized a previously-formed committee of independent directors from Legacy EQRx from time to time to engage with management and representatives of Goldman Sachs regarding the strategic process between EQRx board meetings for efficiency purposes.
On November 16, 2022, the EQRx board of directors held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, management reviewed the investor feedback from EQRxs recent announcements, as well as certain business, portfolio, financial and operational updates. Management also led a review of the internal strategic options and related evaluations, including a portfolio build strategy, operational timelines and budget implications. Management also presented a preliminary 2023 annual operating plan, with a portfolio focus around aumolertinib and lerociclib, and resulting annual budget. In addition, the meeting participants discussed planned headcount management, related severance plan terms, and proposed changes to EQRxs equity plan to implement the accelerated vesting of equity awards in connection with the termination of a holders employment under certain
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circumstances following a change in control of EQRx. The representatives of Goldman Sachs also provided an update on their outreach to parties as discussed at the November 9th meeting of the EQRx board of directors.
On November 29, 2022, EQRx entered into a mutual confidentiality agreement with Party A to facilitate continuing discussions regarding a potential merger. The confidentiality agreement did not include a standstill provision. Thereafter, members of EQRx senior management had discussions with representatives of Party A regarding their respective companys business, portfolio and operations. Following these initial discussions, Party A determined not to proceed due to other strategic priorities.
On December 10, 2022, the EQRx board of directors held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, management and representatives of Goldman Sachs discussed with the EQRx board of directors potential strategic alternatives, including (i) a potential sale of the company, (ii) a merger of equals transaction, (iii) a strategic acquisition of another company by EQRx, and (iv) an out-license of ex-U.S. rights to one or more of EQRxs programs. In addition, the representatives of Goldman Sachs provided an update on their outreach regarding a potential acquisition of, or merger with, EQRx, and the status of discussions with the parties who had expressed initial interest. Given the limited interest elicited from the 28 parties contacted with respect to a potential acquisition of, or merger with, EQRx, the EQRx board of directors authorized management and Goldman Sachs to commence a new process to explore a potential out-license of ex-U.S. rights to one or more of EQRxs programs.
Commencing shortly thereafter, at the direction of the EQRx board of directors, representatives of Goldman Sachs and EQRx senior management contacted a total of 18 publicly-traded and private biopharmaceutical companies regarding a potential out-license of ex-U.S. rights to one or more of EQRxs programs. Five of these 18 parties had been previously contacted regarding a potential acquisition of EQRx. Of the 18 parties contacted, five of these parties expressed interest in entering into a confidentiality agreement with EQRx at that time to facilitate further discussions. Certain of these confidentiality agreements included a standstill provision that prohibited such counterparty, for an agreed-upon period from the date of the agreement, from offering to acquire or acquiring EQRx, and from taking certain other actions, including soliciting proxies, without the prior consent of EQRx. The confidentiality agreements that included a standstill provision allowed the counterparty to make confidential acquisition proposals to the EQRx board of directors at any time following public announcement of EQRxs entry into a definitive agreement with a third party providing for a sale of EQRx and, in certain cases, included other sunset provisions on the standstill obligations. While discussions with a number of these parties continued for several months, EQRx did not receive any actionable proposals with respect to an ex-U.S. licensing transaction. The parties that declined to pursue such a licensing transaction with EQRx cited one or more of the following reasons: (i) concerns regarding clinical differentiation and competitive positioning; (ii) outside areas of core focus; (iii) lack of fit with strategic timeline goals; (iv) challenging regulatory environment; (v) uncertainties with respect to pricing and reimbursement; and/or (vi) limited financial capacity for business development.
On December 14, 2022, the EQRx board of directors held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, management and the representatives of Goldman Sachs provided an update on the ongoing strategic review process, including the status of discussions with the potential counterparties, feedback received, current timelines and potential next steps. The EQRx board of directors also discussed EQRxs fiscal year 2022 performance and fiscal year 2023 planning matters.
On January 6, 2023, EQRx entered into a mutual confidentiality agreement with Party B to facilitate continuing discussions regarding a potential merger. The confidentiality agreement included a standstill provision applicable to Party B that terminated upon the public announcement by EQRx of its entry into a definitive agreement with a third party involving the acquisition of EQRx. Thereafter, members of EQRx senior management had discussions with representatives of Party B regarding their respective companys business, portfolio and operations.
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On January 23, 2023, the EQRx board of directors held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, management and the representatives of Goldman Sachs provided an update regarding the status of discussions with potential counterparties, including the feedback received to date, current timelines and potential next steps. In executive session, the EQRx board of directors also discussed the engagement of Goldman Sachs as its financial advisor in connection with the review of strategic alternatives and potential strategic transactions. Management reviewed with the EQRx board of directors the terms of the proposed engagement of Goldman Sachs and customary relationship disclosure provided by Goldman Sachs regarding the parties then in active discussions with EQRx. The EQRx board of directors thereafter authorized EQRx to formally engage Goldman Sachs on the terms presented at the meeting. On the following day, EQRx and Goldman Sachs entered into the related engagement letter.
On January 31, 2023, EQRx entered into a mutual confidentiality agreement with Party C to facilitate further discussions regarding a potential strategic transaction. The confidentiality agreement included a standstill provision applicable to Party C that terminated upon the public announcement by EQRx of its entry into a definitive agreement with a third party involving the acquisition of EQRx. Thereafter, members of EQRx senior management had discussions with representatives of Party C regarding EQRxs business and product candidates and the potential framework for a partnering transaction between the parties, including a possible equity investment by Party C in EQRx. Following these discussions, Party C determined not to proceed due to other strategic priorities.
On March 9, 2023, the EQRx board of directors held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and a representative of Goodwin were present. At this meeting, management provided an update regarding the status of discussions with potential counterparties, including the types of transactions under consideration, proposed timelines, and potential next steps, and reported on preliminary discussions with another biopharmaceutical company, referred to as Party D, that had expressed an interest in discussing a potential sale of Party D to EQRx. At this meeting, the EQRx board of directors determined not to proceed with further discussions with Party B due to a lack of strategic fit between the two companies. Management also provided certain business, portfolio, financial and operational updates. In addition, the EQRx board of directors discussed internal strategic options and pausing development of EQRxs Global Buyers Club network after consideration of potential opportunities to partner with others.
On April 3, 2023, the EQRx board of directors held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and a representative of Goodwin were present. At this meeting, the EQRx board of directors discussed potential opportunities to acquire another company as a means to build EQRxs portfolio with additional late-stage assets and considered the potential acquisition of Party D and another biopharmaceutical company, referred to as Party E, each of which had engaged in preliminary strategic discussions with EQRx. The meeting participants discussed potential transaction structures, valuation considerations and related operational matters. Management also provided an update on certain portfolio and operational matters.
On April 7, 2023, the EQRx board of directors held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and a representative of Goodwin were present. At this meeting, the EQRx board of directors continued its discussion of potential strategic acquisition opportunities. The EQRx board of directors also determined, as a matter of convenience and efficiency given the discussions with respect to a potential acquisition of Party D or Party E, to form the EQRx transaction committee, to (i) consider and evaluate all proposals that might be received by the Company in connection with any business development, strategic alternative, capital raising or financing opportunity identified by EQRx, (ii) participate in and direct the negotiation of the material terms and conditions of any such transaction, and (iii) recommend to the EQRx board of directors the advisability of entering into a definitive agreement with respect to any such transaction, subject to approval of any such agreement by the EQRx board of directors, or the advisability of pursuing any other alternative. The initial members of the EQRx transaction committee were the following independent directors: Paul Berns (Chair), Samuel Merksamer, and Krishna Yeshwant, M.D. Throughout the EQRx transaction committees evaluation of a
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potential strategic transaction, the EQRx transaction committee conducted formal meetings, but its members were also in regular informal discussions with EQRxs senior management and legal and financial advisors and with each other. The EQRx transaction committee also met in executive session without management present.
On April 10, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and a representative of Goodwin were present. At this meeting, the EQRx transaction committee continued the discussion of potential strategic acquisition opportunities, including the possible acquisition of Party D or Party E. The EQRx transaction committee discussed views on valuation and market opportunity, transaction structure, and overall negotiation approach. The EQRx transaction committee also reviewed a draft indication of interest with respect to the acquisition of Party E and provided feedback to management. In addition, the EQRx transaction committee discussed potential interest in a specific asset of Party D instead of the acquisition of the whole company.
Following the meeting, EQRx submitted a preliminary, non-binding indication of interest proposing to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Party E for consideration consisting of a mix of cash and EQRx common stock, including a contingent value right, or CVR, in the event of achievement of certain development milestones. Party E rejected this proposal, and EQRx and Party E thereafter had sporadic contact with respect to potentially re-engaging in discussions regarding a possible transaction. EQRx also proposed a transaction involving a specific asset to Party D, which Party D rejected. EQRx and Party D did not engage in further discussions regarding a potential transaction.
On April 28, 2023, the EQRx board of directors held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and a representative of Goodwin were present. At this meeting, and in light of the results of the prior strategic outreach conducted by Goldman Sachs and EQRx management, the EQRx board of directors reviewed plans to reset EQRxs business strategy by focusing on clinically differentiated medicines, including a near-term focus on lerociclib, along with other existing early-stage assets and potential in-licensing/acquisition opportunities. The meeting participants also discussed a planned reduction in force and proposed severance terms. In addition, management provided an update on the status of discussions with Party D and Party E and other business development activities.
On May 8, 2023, EQRx issued a press release reporting its first quarter 2023 financial results and providing updates on its portfolio and U.S. commercial strategy. In the press release, EQRx announced that the company was resetting its strategy to focus on clinically differentiated medicines. In addition, the press release indicated that EQRx would be (i) prioritizing development of lerociclib, (ii) seeking commercialization partnerships for aumolertinib, (iii) terminating license agreements for sugemalimab, nofazinlimab and EQ121, (iv) separating its early-stage immune-inflammatory research and development programs from its oncology business into a new wholly-owned subsidiary and pursuing additional funding options, and (v) implementing a substantial reduction in workforce that, together with certain portfolio decisions, was expected to drive annualized cash savings of at least $125 million and significantly lower future cash burn.
Following the May 8th announcement regarding the reset of EQRxs strategy and continuing through the signing of the merger agreement, EQRx continued further organizational streamlining while also considering options to deliver value to EQRx stockholders from its remaining assets. These efforts included (i) considering a potential partnership for further development of lerociclib, (ii) discussing commercialization rights in specified territories for aumolertinib, and (iii) creating a wholly-owned subsidiary for EQRxs early stage immune-inflammatory assets and discussing with potential investors the funding of such entity on a standalone basis. While EQRx had discussions with a number of parties, EQRx did not receive any actionable proposals as a result of such efforts prior to entering into the merger agreement.
On May 16, 2023, Mark Goldsmith, M.D., Ph.D., President, Chief Executive Officer, and Board Chair of Revolution Medicines, contacted Melanie Nallicheri, President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Director of EQRx and a co-founder of Legacy EQRx, to introduce himself and request a conversation. Revolution Medicines had not been among the parties that EQRx had contacted as part of its prior outreach.
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On May 18, 2023, Ms. Nallicheri and Dr. Goldsmith had a call during which Dr. Goldsmith inquired as to whether EQRx would be open to a potential acquisition. During this conversation, Dr. Goldsmith indicated that Revolution Medicines was interested in adding EQRxs cash resources to its own balance sheet in order to fund Revolution Medicines broad development plans for its programs. Ms. Nallicheri indicated that, while EQRx was focused on its reset business strategy, she would discuss with the EQRx board of directors any proposal that Revolution Medicines wished to submit and requested that management of Revolution Medicines provide an overview of the company to the EQRx management team. There was no discussion of the economic terms of a potential transaction during this meeting.
Following this call, Ms. Nallicheri informed the EQRx board of directors of the inquiry from Dr. Goldsmith. Throughout the strategic review processes conducted by EQRx, the EQRx board of directors identified and discussed past and current business relationships that certain directors had with potential participants in the process and, where appropriate to avoid potential conflicts or the appearance of potential conflicts, a particular director would recuse himself or herself from board and committee meetings (or portions thereof) relating to, and any deliberations or discussions regarding, a possible transaction with that participant. In this regard with respect to Revolution Medicines, Alexis Borisy, Executive Chairman of the EQRx board of directors and a co-founder of Legacy EQRx, is the Lead Independent Director of Revolution Medicines, and Clive Meanwell, M.B., Ch.B, M.D., an independent director of EQRx, is Vice Chairman and a member of the board of directors of BB Biotech AG, which, pursuant to a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2023, beneficially owned in excess of five percent of the outstanding shares of Revolution Medicines common stock. Given Mr. Borisys relationship with Revolution Medicines and Dr. Meanwells relationship with BB Biotech and the potential conflicts or the appearance of potential conflicts that could arise as a result of these relationships, Mr. Borisy and Dr. Meanwell recused themselves from board and committee meetings (or portions thereof) relating to, and any deliberations or discussions regarding, a potential transaction with Revolution Medicines or any of the other potential counterparties contacted by EQRx.
On May 20, 2023, EQRx entered into a confidentiality agreement with Revolution Medicines to facilitate discussions between the parties. The confidentiality agreement did not include a standstill provision.
On May 22, 2023, members of Revolution Medicines management provided an overview of their companys business, portfolio and operations to members of EQRx management. There was no discussion of the economic terms of a potential transaction during this meeting.
On May 23, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, Ms. Nallicheri provided an overview of the companys various business development activities in light of on-going discussions with potential counterparties and other alternatives, including the potential return of capital to stockholders of EQRx. Ms. Nallicheri also reported on the initial discussions with Revolution Medicines, and management provided an overview of Revolution Medicines, including potential near- and long-term catalysts. In addition, management provided updates on the potential strategic acquisition of Party E, including the status of discussions between the parties and proposed next steps, and the on-going discussions with certain parties regarding a potential licensing transaction. The representatives of Goldman Sachs also were invited to the meeting to review potential strategic alternatives for EQRx taking into account the prior strategic process undertaken by the EQRx board of directors with the assistance of Goldman Sachs and EQRxs reset business strategy, including potential transaction structures, counterparties that might have interest in EQRxs significant capital, and planned timelines. Following discussion, the EQRx transaction committee authorized Ms. Nallicheri to continue discussions with Revolution Medicines regarding a potential transaction. Mr. Borisy attended a portion of this meeting at the request of the EQRx transaction committee to provide his general perspective on potential strategic paths for EQRx, but did not participate in any discussions regarding a potential transaction with Revolution Medicines.
On May 31, 2023, Ms. Nallicheri and Dr. Goldsmith had a call during which they discussed the framework for a potential transaction between EQRx and Revolution Medicines. During this discussion, Dr. Goldsmith
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indicated that Revolution Medicines was viewing the potential transaction as additional financing for its programs and, as a result, Revolution Medicines was not interested in advancing EQRxs portfolio following closing. There was no discussion of the economic terms of a potential transaction during this meeting.
On June 1, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, the EQRx transaction committee continued its discussion regarding potential strategic paths for EQRx and counterparties that might have interest in EQRxs significant capital. Ms. Nallicheri also provided an update regarding her recent discussion with Dr. Goldsmith. Mr. Borisy attended a portion of this meeting at the request of the EQRx transaction committee to provide his general perspective on potential strategic paths for EQRx, but did not participate in any discussions regarding a potential transaction with Revolution Medicines.
On June 2, 2023, Revolution Medicines submitted a preliminary, non-binding indication of interest, referred to as the June 2nd Proposal, proposing to acquire all of the outstanding shares of EQRx with a symmetrical fixed price collar structure designed to deliver $1.95 in value per share of EQRx common stock within the collar range. The transaction would include a fixed exchange ratio with respect to the portion of a share of Revolution Medicines common stock that would be exchanged for a share of EQRx common stock and, in addition to such guaranteed number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be delivered to EQRx stockholders, a range of cash between $0 and $400 million would be used to ensure delivery of a fixed value to EQRx stockholders of $1.95 per share. At the upper end of the proposed collar, EQRx stockholders would receive a portion of a share of Revolution Medicines common stock worth $1.95 and no cash, and at share prices for Revolution Medicines above $31.33, EQRx stockholders would receive more than $1.95 per share in value at closing. At the lower end of the proposed collar, EQRx stockholders would receive the maximum amount of cash of $400 million, and at share prices for Revolution Medicines below $18.53, EQRx stockholders would not receive additional consideration beyond the fixed number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock and the maximum cash. The June 2nd Proposal also contemplated that, at the time of entry into a definitive agreement, certain directors, officers and major stockholders of EQRx would execute voting agreements pursuant to which they would agree to support and vote in favor of the transaction. The June 2nd Proposal further noted Revolution Medicines expectation that the parties would sign and announce a transaction by June 20th. Prior to submission, Dr. Goldsmith contacted Ms. Nallicheri to review the terms of the proposal.
On June 3, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx were present. At this meeting, Ms. Nallicheri provided an update regarding the receipt of the June 2nd Proposal from Revolution Medicines and her related conversation with Dr. Goldsmith, and the meeting participants had an initial discussion regarding the terms of the proposal, including the value of the proposed merger consideration as compared to EQRxs expected net cash balance. At the conclusion of this discussion, the EQRx transaction committee authorized Ms. Nallicheri to provide Dr. Goldsmith with initial feedback regarding the June 2nd Proposal.
On June 5, 2023, Ms. Nallicheri had a call with Dr. Goldsmith during which she provided feedback on the June 2nd Proposal as authorized by the EQRx transaction committee. In particular, Ms. Nallicheri indicated that the June 2nd Proposal was inadequate, as the proposed merger consideration was less than the net cash that EQRx believed it could deliver at closing. Dr. Goldsmith noted that Revolution Medicines did not intend to pay more than the net cash to be delivered by EQRx in a potential transaction (taking into account the wind-down costs for EQRxs programs, which Revolution Medicines did not intend to advance) and requested that EQRx provide further information regarding its calculation of estimated net cash. Ms. Nallicheri and Dr. Goldsmith also discussed the timeline for a potential transaction.
Later on June 5, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, Ms. Nallicheri provided an update regarding her recent discussion with Dr. Goldsmith. The representatives of Goodwin reviewed with the directors their fiduciary duties under Delaware law and related process
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considerations. The meeting participants discussed the potential alternative of returning capital to EQRx stockholders and the preparation of a liquidation analysis to determine an estimate of net cash available for distribution as a comparator to the proposal from Revolution Medicines or any similar transaction. The representatives of Goldman Sachs also provided overviews of Revolution Medicines and the June 2nd Proposal, including the proposed fixed collar and cash backstop mechanisms. The meeting participants also discussed a preliminary list of public and private biopharmaceutical companies determined by size, significant financing need, and potential ability to achieve large-scale returns that could have interest in a transaction focused on the deployment of EQRxs significant cash balance similar to the one proposed by Revolution Medicines.
Commencing on June 7, 2023, at the direction of the EQRx transaction committee, representatives of Goldman Sachs contacted 21 publicly-traded and private biopharmaceutical companies regarding a potential transaction with EQRx focused on the redeployment of EQRxs significant cash balance. Five of these 21 parties, including Party C, had been previously contacted regarding a potential acquisition of EQRx. Of the 21 parties contacted, five of these parties, including three publicly-traded companies, referred to as Party F, Party G and Party H, and two private companies, referred to as Party I and Party J, expressed interest in a potential transaction with EQRx and entered into confidentiality agreements with EQRx in order to engage in further discussions. Each of the confidentiality agreements included standstill provisions, with the standstill provision terminating upon EQRxs entry into a definitive agreement with a third party involving the acquisition of EQRx or the public announcement thereof. Over the next few days, Ms. Nallicheri had introductory conversations with members of senior management of several of the parties that had expressed interest in a potential transaction.
On June 7, 2023, Ms. Nallicheri had a call with Dr. Goldsmith to discuss the minimum net cash that EQRx believed it would be able to deliver in connection with a transaction based on currently projected year-end cash of $1.05 billion.
Also on June 7, 2023, the Chief Financial Officer of Party E contacted Ms. Nallicheri to express interest in re-engaging in discussions with respect to an all-stock transaction to combine the two companies, and noted that Party E would revert with further feedback following an upcoming meeting of its board of directors.
On June 8, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, Ms. Nallicheri provided updates regarding her June 7, 2023 discussion with Dr. Goldsmith and the status of discussions with Party E. The representatives of Goldman Sachs also provided an update on their outreach to the parties discussed at the June 5th meeting of the EQRx transaction committee. The meeting participants discussed Revolution Medicines intention to not advance EQRxs research and development portfolio following closing of a transaction and additional business development activities to be undertaken to determine whether value could be realized for such assets for the benefit of EQRx stockholders. In addition, the EQRx transaction committee provided guidance to Ms. Nallicheri with respect to a meeting with management of Revolution Medicines scheduled for the following day.
On June 9, 2023, Ms. Nallicheri and Dina Ciarimboli, General Counsel of EQRx, had a meeting with Dr. Goldsmith and Margaret Horn, Chief Operating Officer of Revolution Medicines, during which they discussed the near-term catalyst events for Revolution Medicines, including the anticipated timeline for public release of clinical data with respect to RMC-6236, structural alternatives for a potential transaction between the two companies, and EQRxs remaining portfolio of assets. Among the structural alternatives discussed were the collar structure proposed by Revolution Medicines, the consideration mix between cash and stock, and a potential cash/stock election mechanism. Ms. Nallicheri also noted EQRxs expectation that the shares of Revolution Medicines common stock in the transaction would be issued at a discount to the market price similar to the discount that would be expected by Revolution Medicines in an equity financing transaction.
On June 12, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, Ms. Nallicheri
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provided an update regarding the recent meeting with representatives of Revolution Medicines. The representatives of Goldman Sachs also provided an update on their outreach to the parties discussed at the June 5th meeting of the EQRx transaction committee and reviewed an illustrative process timeline.
On June 13, 2023, the EQRx compensation and talent development committee held a meeting at which Mr. Borisy, other members of senior management of EQRx, and a representative of Goodwin were present. At this meeting, the meeting participants discussed various topics relating to employee retention, including key employees necessary for on-going strategic efforts, the potential timing and structure of a retention program, and the focus on maximizing cash on hand where possible in light of the strategic process generally (there were no specific discussions regarding a potential transaction with Revolution Medicines at the meeting). The EQRx compensation and talent development committee requested that management prepare a specific proposal of retention packages for key employees for the committees further consideration.
On June 14, 2023, the EQRx board of directors held a regularly-scheduled meeting at which management provided business, portfolio and financial updates. Thereafter, the independent and disinterested directors met with members of senior management of EQRx and representatives of each of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin to discuss certain strategic alternatives, including (i) the potential to build on EQRxs existing portfolio consistent with its reset business strategy through the acquisition of another company and/or other business development activities, (ii) the potential to redeploy EQRxs significant capital into another company through a transaction with Revolution Medicines or a similar transaction with another counterparty, and (iii) the potential to return capital to EQRx stockholders. The meeting participants also discussed whether there was any opportunity to generate value from EQRxs remaining assets under each strategic path and EQRxs on-going business development activities. The representatives of Goodwin reviewed with the directors their fiduciary duties under Delaware law and related process considerations. Ms. Nallicheri provided updates on the status of discussions with Party E and the June 9th meeting with representatives of Revolution Medicines. Ms. Nallicheri also noted that, at the direction of the EQRx transaction committee, management would be engaging a third-party consulting firm to prepare a liquidation analysis to be used as a comparator to other available options, including potentially a transaction with Revolution Medicines or another party or pursuit of EQRxs reset strategy. The representatives of Goldman Sachs also provided an update on their outreach to the parties discussed at the June 5th and June 12th meetings of the EQRx transaction committee and reviewed an illustrative process timeline. The meeting participants then discussed the pros and cons of the various strategic options and potential next steps.
On June 18, 2023, the EQRx board of directors held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, the EQRx board of directors discussed the process for identifying and avoiding potential conflicts or the appearance of potential conflicts of interest with respect to potential counterparties to a transaction. Following this discussion and to facilitate appropriate director recusals, the EQRx transaction committee was enlarged to include five members consisting of Paul Berns (Chair), Jorge Conde, Kathryn Giusti, Samuel Merksamer and Krishna Yeshwant, M.D. The EQRx transaction committee invited the independent and disinterested directors not serving on the committee, referred to as the invited directors, to attend all subsequent committee meetings. The EQRx transaction committee and other invitees, including an invited director, members of senior management of EQRx, and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin, then discussed the selection criteria upon which to assess potential counterparties, which criteria included the following: (i) later-stage assets in the counterpartys development pipeline; (ii) potential of the counterpartys product candidates to reach a large total addressable market; (iii) a $1 billion or more capital influx expected to significantly catalyze the counterpartys efforts; (iv) feasibility of this type of transaction with the counterparty, including the ability to obtain the required stockholder approvals and otherwise satisfy the conditions to closing; and (v) in the case of a counterparty that was a private company, such counterpartys public company readiness. Management reviewed the methodology and assumptions for preparing a preliminary projection of available net cash (assuming the wind-down of its existing programs, which would not be able to be completed prior to the closing of a transaction) that a counterparty to a transaction would be able to deploy for its ongoing operations. The representatives of Goldman Sachs also provided updates on their outreach to potential
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counterparties and discussions with those parties that had expressed interest in a possible transaction with EQRx, and reviewed an illustrative process timeline. The meeting participants discussed scheduling management presentations with each of Revolution Medicines and the five parties that had expressed interest in a potential transaction with EQRx to assess such counterparties against the criteria discussed at the meeting, as well as with Party E given Party Es expressed interest in a potential stock-for-stock transaction which would result in the redeployment of a significant portion of EQRxs capital to Party Es programs. The meeting participants also discussed certain structuring considerations with respect to a potential transaction, including (i) pro forma ownership of EQRx stockholders in the combined company, (ii) cash, if any, to EQRx stockholders, including a potential cash/stock election mechanism, (iii) potential downside protection and upside opportunity for EQRx stockholders, and (iv) potential, if any, for value realization from EQRxs remaining assets.
On June 20, 2023, Ms. Nallicheri had a call with the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Party E during which the representatives of Party E further discussed their potential interest in a stock-for-stock merger with EQRx.
From June 20, 2023 through June 26, 2023, EQRx held a series of meetings with seven parties, including Revolution Medicines and each of Party E, F, G, H, I and J, during which management of each such party provided an overview of their companys business, portfolio and operations to members of EQRx management, certain independent and disinterested directors of EQRx, and representatives of EQRxs financial and legal advisors. There were no discussions of the economic terms of a potential transaction during these meetings, except that, at the conclusion of its presentation, Party H reviewed the high-level terms of a proposal for discussion with respect to a potential transaction with EQRx. The framework for the proposal provided for EQRx to make two investments totaling approximately $1.0 billion in Party H consisting of: (i) an upfront purchase by EQRx of approximately $600 million of common stock of Party H; and (ii) $400 million of committed future funding for Party Hs research and development programs (with the structure and economics to be discussed, including a potential collaboration format).
On June 23, 2023, representatives of Goldman Sachs provided additional information to the EQRx transaction committee with respect to certain structuring considerations for a potential transaction, including illustrative potential structures for a transaction with Revolution Medicines.
Also on June 23, 2023, the EQRx compensation and talent development committee held a meeting at which Mr. Borisy, other members of senior management of EQRx, and a representative of Goodwin were present. At this meeting, the meeting participants discussed employee retention matters in connection with the strategic process generally (there were no specific discussions regarding a potential transaction with Revolution Medicines at the meeting), including a general framework for cash and equity retention programs.
On June 25, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which an invited director, members of senior management and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, the EQRx transaction committee had a preliminary discussion regarding the parties that had provided management presentations to date. The meeting participants also discussed an illustrative transaction timeline, including the process for sending bid instruction letters to selected parties. Following this discussion, the EQRx transaction committee authorized representatives of Goldman Sachs to send a bid instruction letter to Revolution Medicines. The EQRx transaction committee determined to reconvene on the following day after completion of the final management presentation to finalize the list of other parties to be invited to submit a bid. Management also reviewed a preliminary projection of available net cash of $1.133 billion (before transaction expenses and after winding down EQRxs existing programs, which process was assumed to be completed in 2024) that a counterparty to a transaction would be able to deploy for its on-going operations and the related assumptions. The EQRx transaction committee authorized management and representatives of Goldman Sachs to provide managements preliminary projection of net cash to the parties involved in the process.
Later on June 25, 2023, a representative of Goldman Sachs, at the direction of the EQRx transaction committee, sent a bid instruction letter to Revolution Medicines setting forth the timing and procedures for
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submitting a revised proposal to acquire EQRx. The letter requested that Revolution Medicines revised proposal be submitted by June 29th.
On June 26, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx, an invited director, and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, the EQRx transaction committee continued its discussion regarding Parties E, F, G, H, I and J that had provided management presentations to EQRx in the context of the selection criteria discussed at the June 18th meeting of the EQRx transaction committee. Based on this discussion, the EQRx transaction committee determined to invite Parties G, H and J to submit bids to acquire EQRx and discontinue discussions with Parties E, F and I due to a failure to meet one or more of the selection criteria. The meeting participants discussed timing considerations and next steps, during which discussion the EQRx transaction committee authorized representatives of Goldman Sachs to send bid instruction letters to Parties G, H and J. Also at this meeting, the representatives of Goldman Sachs reported on an inbound call received from a party that had not previously been contacted, which party expressed interested in a potential reverse merger with EQRx. The EQRx transaction committee discussed the party expressing interest in the context of the selection criteria and determined not to proceed with further discussions given that such party was a private company with early-stage assets.
Later on June 26, 2023, a representative of Goldman Sachs, at the direction of the EQRx transaction committee, sent a bid instruction letter to each of Parties G, H and J setting forth the timing and procedures for submitting a proposal to acquire EQRx. The letter requested that proposals be submitted by June 29th.
On June 27, 2023, Party G submitted a non-binding indication of interest with respect to the acquisition of EQRx in a stock-for-stock merger. The proposal provided for EQRx stockholders to receive newly issued shares of common stock of Party G with a value (based on the volume-weighted average price, or VWAP, of Party Gs common stock measured over a 10-trading day measurement period prior to closing) of $1.8466 per share, subject to a collar. As part of the proposal, Party G requested a three-week period of exclusivity to complete due diligence and negotiate definitive agreements. Prior to submitting the proposal, the Chief Executive Officer of Party G contacted Ms. Nallicheri to review the terms of the proposal.
On June 29, 2023, Revolution Medicines submitted a revised, non-binding indication of interest, referred to as the June 29th Proposal, with respect to the acquisition of EQRx in a stock-for-stock merger. The June 29th Proposal provided that the merger consideration would be comprised of Revolution Medicines common stock with an implied value of $1.075 billion, representing a value of approximately $2.17 per share of EQRx common stock based on the assumptions set forth in the June 29th Proposal regarding the number of shares of EQRx common stock treated as outstanding. The number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be delivered as merger consideration would be calculated based on a blend of the share price of Revolution Medicines common stock at two points in time: (i) $200 million of Revolution Medicines common stock based on the share price at signing of the definitive agreement for the transaction, plus (ii) $850 million of Revolution Medicines common stock based on the share price at closing of the transaction subject to a 3% discount (resulting in delivery of $875 million of Revolution Medicines common stock at such closing share price). In the June 29th Proposal, Revolution Medicines compared the $1.075 billion of implied value to its assumption that EQRx would have $1.05 billion of available net cash that Revolution Medicines would be able to deploy for its on-going operations (i.e., the preliminary projection of net cash of $1.133 billion provided by EQRx, less an additional $83 million of expenses estimated by Revolution Medicines for transaction expenses and additional operating and wind-down expenses). The June 29th Proposal also contemplated that, at the time of entry into the definitive transaction agreement, certain directors, officers and major stockholders of EQRx would execute voting agreements under which they would agree to support and vote in favor of the transaction, as well as customary lock-up provisions that would extend 90 days post-closing. The June 29th Proposal further noted Revolution Medicines expectation that the parties would sign and announce a transaction by July 24th. Following submission, Dr. Goldsmith and Ms. Nallicheri discussed the contents of the June 29th Proposal via telephone.
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Also, on June 29, 2023, Party J submitted a non-binding indication of interest for a reverse merger transaction with EQRx. The proposed transaction consisted of a merger of a newly-formed, wholly owned subsidiary of EQRx with and into Party J, with stockholders of Party J receiving shares of EQRx common stock in the merger. Party J proposed pro forma ownership of the combined entity of 50% to existing EQRx securityholders and 50% to Party Js existing securityholders, and the issuance of a CVR to existing stockholders of Party J that would be triggered upon achievement of a regulatory milestone with respect to one of Party Js product candidates. The amount of the CVR payment would be equal to 15% of the then outstanding shares of the combined company at the time that the payment was triggered. The proposal also referenced EQRx designating three of seven directors on the board of directors of the combined company, and the management team of the combined company being led by Party Js CEO, with the remainder of the management team to be determined based on the best candidates from each company. Party J further indicated their expectation to reach a definitive agreement within 30 days, subject to consummation of mutual diligence. Following submission, the Chief Executive Officer of Party J and Ms. Nallicheri met to discuss the contents of the proposal.
In addition, on June 29, 2023, the EQRx compensation and talent development committee approved cash and equity retention awards for certain key employees. See Interests of EQRxs Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers for information regarding the retention awards to certain executive officers.
On June 30, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx, an invited director, and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, the meeting participants discussed the June 29th Proposal received from Revolution Medicines and the proposals received from Parties G and J. The representatives of Goldman Sachs summarized each of these proposals, including the approximate value of the consideration reflected by each proposal, based on certain assumptions relating to EQRx and the bidders provided by management to representatives of Goldman Sachs, as follows: (i) $1.075 billion for the Revolution Medicines proposal (taking into account the pricing discount proposed by Revolution Medicines), which represented a $125 million increase from the approximately $950 million value implied by the June 2nd Proposal; (ii) $923 million for Party Js proposal; and (iii) $900 million for Party Gs Proposal. Ms. Nallicheri and the representatives of Goldman Sachs also reported on their conversations with certain parties in connection with the bid deadline. In particular, the representatives of Goldman Sachs noted that Party H did not intend to submit a proposal with respect to the acquisition of EQRx, but continued to be open to engaging with EQRx with respect to the proposal reviewed during Party Hs management presentation. Following discussion regarding the proposals received, the EQRx transaction committee determined to continue discussions with Revolution Medicines and discussed certain elements of the June 29th Proposal, including (i) the aggregate value of $1.075 billion, (ii) the amounts of the two equity tranches (i.e., $200 million in the first tranche and $850 million in the second tranche), (iii) the 3% pricing discount to be applied to the second equity tranche, and (iv) the consideration consisting of all stock with no return of capital to EQRx stockholders. The EQRx transaction committee discussed potential feedback to Revolution Medicines regarding the June 29th Proposal, and authorized Ms. Nallicheri to communicate such feedback to Dr. Goldsmith following the meeting. In addition, the EQRx transaction committee directed Goldman Sachs to contact Party H to inquire whether Party H would consider the acquisition of EQRx or any other alternative structure to the one that they had proposed. Also, given the proposals received by EQRx including the June 29th Proposal, the EQRx transaction committee confirmed its prior determination not to proceed with further discussions with Parties E, F and I. During executive session, a representative of Goodwin reviewed with the EQRx transaction committee customary relationship disclosure regarding Revolution Medicines during the preceding two-year period made available by Goldman Sachs. Such disclosure indicated that, during such two-year period, Goldman Sachs Investment Banking had not performed any financial advisory and/or underwriting services for Revolution Medicines or any of their respective affiliates for which it had recognized compensation.
Later on June 30, 2023, Ms. Nallicheri contacted Dr. Goldsmith to provide him with the feedback authorized by the EQRx transaction committee earlier in the day. In particular, Ms. Nallicheri indicated that, while EQRx appreciated the revisions included in the June 29th Proposal based on prior feedback, the EQRx board of directors was focused on the pricing discount being offered by Revolution Medicines. In a follow-up conversation, Dr. Goldsmith indicated that Revolution Medicines would not further revise its proposal without first receiving a specific counter from EQRx.
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Also on June 30, 2023, representatives of Goldman Sachs, as directed by the EQRx transaction committee, had a call with representatives of Party H, during which Party H confirmed that they would not be submitting a revised proposal nor were they open to entertaining alternative structures, including the acquisition of EQRx.
On July 1, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx, an invited director and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, the EQRx transaction committee continued its discussion of the June 29th Proposal received from Revolution Medicines and the proposals received from Parties G and J. Ms. Nallicheri provided an update on her recent conversations with Dr. Goldsmith, and the representatives of Goldman Sachs reported on their conversation with representatives of Party H. The representatives of Goldman Sachs reviewed a comparison of the June 2nd Proposal and the June 29th Proposal as submitted by Revolution Medicines and the impact on the June 29th Proposal of varying (i) the discount to be applied to the second equity tranche to be priced in proximity to the closing, (ii) the amounts of the two equity tranches, and (iii) the aggregate value being offered. Following discussion, the EQRx transaction committee determined to focus on the pricing discount on the second equity tranche and directed management to counter with a 12% discount. In addition, the EQRx transaction committee directed Goldman Sachs to contact Party G to inquire whether Party G had any flexibility in either price or the proposed timetable for signing a definitive agreement as set forth in their proposal. The EQRx transaction committee also determined to not proceed with further discussions with either Party H (given Party Hs lack of interest in a whole company transaction) or Party J (given Party Js economic proposal, the earlier stage of development of its product candidates, and its perceived lack of public company readiness).
Following the EQRx transaction committee meeting on July 1, 2023, Ms. Nallicheri contacted Dr. Goldsmith to propose a 12% pricing discount on the second equity tranche as authorized by the EQRx transaction committee earlier in the day. Dr. Goldsmith responded that a 12% discount was unacceptable and subsequently countered at 4.5%. In addition, the representatives of Goldman Sachs, as directed by the EQRx transaction committee, had a call with representatives of Party G, during which Party G indicated that they did not intend to increase their offered price or materially delay their proposed signing date. Thereafter, EQRx did not have further discussions with Party G regarding a potential transaction.
Later on July 1, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a second meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx, invited directors, and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, Ms. Nallicheri provided an update on her conversation with Dr. Goldsmith, and the representatives of Goldman Sachs reported on their conversation with representatives of Party G. The meeting participants continued their discussion of the June 29th Proposal from Revolution Medicines and the pricing discount to be applied to the second equity tranche. Following this discussion, the EQRx transaction committee authorized Ms. Nallicheri to communicate to Dr. Goldsmith that the pricing discount needed to be in the high single digits and directed representatives of Goldman Sachs to negotiate the amount with Revolution Medicines financial advisor, Guggenheim Securities, LLC, referred to as Guggenheim Securities. Management also discussed with the EQRx transaction committee the engagement of BRG Transaction and Valuation Opinions, LLC, referred to as BRG, an affiliate of Berkeley Research Group, LLC, a consulting firm with a focus on corporate finance advisory services, to prepare an analysis for the EQRx board of directors with respect to EQRxs estimated value to its stockholders in a liquidation scenario, including an estimate of the net cash that would be available for distribution to EQRx stockholders in connection with a potential future liquidation. The engagement letter with BRG provided for BRG to receive a fixed fee for these services.
Following the meeting on July 1, 2023, Ms. Nallicheri contacted Dr. Goldsmith to communicate that the pricing discount for the second equity tranche needed to be in the high single digits as authorized by the EQRx transaction committee. Thereafter, the representatives of Goldman Sachs, at the direction of the EQRx transaction committee, had several calls with representatives of Guggenheim Securities to discuss the pricing discount. During these calls, at the direction of the EQRx transaction committee, the representatives of Goldman Sachs proposed a 9% discount. The representatives of Guggenheim Securities reverted with a proposal from Revolution Medicines that they characterized as best and final at a 6% pricing discount on the second equity tranche and all other terms as set forth in the June 29th Proposal.
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On July 3, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx, invited directors and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, Ms. Nallicheri provided an update on her conversation with Dr. Goldsmith, and the representatives of Goldman Sachs reported on their conversations with Guggenheim Securities. Following discussion, the EQRx transaction committee determined to accept the economic terms set forth in the June 29th Proposal with the proposed 6% pricing discount on the second equity tranche, and authorized Ms. Nallicheri and representatives of Goldman Sachs to communicate the same to Dr. Goldsmith and Guggenheim Securities, respectively, which occurred following the meeting. The EQRx transaction committee also authorized Ms. Nallicheri to progress discussions with Dr. Goldsmith on other elements of a potential transaction, including treatment of EQRxs remaining assets in the transaction and related structures, such as a CVR, to provide additional potential value to EQRx stockholders.
On July 4, 2023, Ms. Nallicheri had a call with Dr. Goldsmith to discuss (i) the on-going business development activities with respect to EQRxs remaining assets, (ii) the composition of the Revolution Medicines board of directors following closing (without discussion of specific names of directors), (iii) the request by Revolution Medicines for certain EQRx stockholders to sign post-closing lock-up agreements, and (iv) certain general employee matters not specific to EQRxs executive officers. During this discussion, Ms. Nallicheri proposed a potential CVR structure with respect to any proceeds that may be realized as a result of EQRxs business development activities and two board seats on the board of directors of the combined company. Following this call, the respective financial and legal advisors of EQRx and Revolution Medicines had further conversations regarding these matters.
On July 5, 2023, Revolution Medicines provided EQRx with access to a virtual data room populated by Revolution Medicines with certain due diligence items. Thereafter, EQRx provided supplemental due diligence requests and had further discussions with members of senior management of Revolution Medicines as requested to discuss Revolution Medicines business, operations, product candidates, clinical programs and timelines, intellectual property, strategic plans, and financial position.
On July 6, 2023, EQRx and Revolution Medicines entered into an amendment to their existing confidentiality agreement to add reciprocal standstill and employee non-solicitation provisions. The amendment to the confidentiality agreement provided each party with the ability to make confidential acquisition proposals to the other party at any time and also included other sunset provisions on the standstill obligations, including termination upon the other partys entry into a definitive agreement involving an acquisition of such party. Following entry into the amendment, EQRx provided Revolution Medicines with access to a virtual data room populated by EQRx with certain due diligence items. Thereafter, Revolution Medicines provided supplemental due diligence requests and had further discussions with members of senior management of EQRx as requested to discuss EQRxs business, operations, remaining assets, liabilities, and financial position.
On July 11, 2023, representatives of outside counsel to Revolution Medicines, Latham & Watkins LLP, referred to as Latham, provided an initial draft of the merger agreement to Goodwin. Following delivery of the draft merger agreement until the execution of the merger agreement, representatives of senior management of EQRx and Revolution Medicines, together with representatives of Goldman Sachs, Goodwin, Guggenheim and Latham, negotiated the terms of the merger agreement, in each case, as authorized and under the direction of their respective boards of directors or transaction committees. As part of these discussions, the representatives of Revolution Medicines requested that EQRx investigate the possibility of terminating the EQRx private warrants and EQRx earn-out shares in advance of signing a definitive agreement for the proposed transaction. In addition, the representatives of EQRx raised potential structural mechanisms, such as a CVR or closing cash true-up, that could be implemented in the event that EQRx was able to find a buyer or partner with respect to its remaining assets; however, the representatives of Revolution Medicines were unwilling to entertain such a structure.
On July 12, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx, invited directors and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting,
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the representatives of Goodwin reviewed a summary of the terms of the draft merger agreement, and the EQRx transaction committee provided feedback to Ms. Nallicheri and the representatives of Goodwin and Goldman Sachs for purposes of the negotiation of the merger agreement. Ms. Nallicheri also provided updates on recent interactions with Revolution Medicines and the on-going business development activities with respect to EQRxs remaining assets.
On July 13, 2023, Ms. Nallicheri had a call with Dr. Goldsmith to discuss certain proposed terms in the initial draft of the merger agreement and the timeline for a potential transaction.
Also on July 13, 2023, representatives of Latham provided initial drafts of the forms of EQRx voting and lock-up agreements to Goodwin. Thereafter, representatives of Goodwin and Latham negotiated the terms of such agreements, in each case, under the direction of their respective boards of directors or transaction committees.
On July 18, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx, an invited director and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, the representatives of Goodwin provided an update on the status of negotiations, and Ms. Nallicheri provided an update on her July 13th conversation with Dr. Goldsmith. The meeting participants also discussed process and timing considerations. Ms. Nallicheri reported further inquiries from Party E and Party J, and the EQRx transaction committee decided not to re-open conversations with these parties for the reasons previously discussed. EQRx management also provided updates on the due diligence process with Revolution Medicines and EQRxs on-going business development activities with respect to its remaining assets, which had yielded no actionable proposals. In addition, the representatives of Goldman Sachs informed the EQRx transaction committee that, under the particular circumstances of this transaction, in which EQRxs principal asset is cash and EQRx does not have any stand-alone projections case that EQRxs management or board considered reliable and adopted, as a matter of policy Goldman Sachs would not be in a position to render an opinion regarding the fairness of the proposed consideration in the transaction. In executive session, the EQRx transaction committee discussed the engagement of another financial advisor to provide a fairness opinion to the EQRx board of directors if the transaction with Revolution Medicines were to proceed, and authorized management and the representatives of Goodwin to contact MTS about this potential engagement.
On July 20, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of EQRx management, an invited director and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, Ms. Nallicheri provided an update on the due diligence process, including with respect to Revolution Medicines clinical programs and planned data disclosures. The representatives of Goodwin provided an update on the status of negotiations with respect to the merger agreement, including a summary of the outstanding issues and potential opportunities to mitigate execution and/or market risk to EQRx stockholders. The meeting participants also discussed process considerations and next steps.
Later on July 20, 2023, Ms. Nallicheri had a call with Dr. Goldsmith to discuss the status of negotiations of the definitive transaction agreements. Thereafter, Ms. Nallicheri, together with other representatives of EQRx senior management and Goodwin, and Dr. Goldsmith, together with other representatives of Revolution Medicines senior management and Latham, had multiple calls to negotiate the open issues in the merger agreement, including, among other things, (i) the timeline to closing and the pricing period for the second equity tranche, (ii) the covenants governing EQRxs business activities between signing and closing, including compliance by EQRx with an operating and capital expenditure budget, the wind-down of certain mutually-agreed EQRx programs, and other restrictions on EQRxs operations, (iii) the covenants governing Revolution Medicines business activities between signing and closing, including limitations on its ability to issue additional equity, incur debt and make other acquisitions, (iv) treatment of the outstanding EQRx warrants and EQRx earn-out shares and the extent to which such securities would be included in the EQRx fully-diluted share number for purposes of determining the exchange ratio, (v) the request for voting and lock-up agreements, including the parties to those agreements, (vi) treatment of EQRx employees generally in connection with the
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wind-down activities and closing of the transaction, (vii) representation for EQRx on the combined companys board of directors, (viii) the termination fees payable by the parties under certain circumstances, (ix) expense reimbursement in an agreed-upon amount in the event that either partys stockholders did not approve the transaction, and (x) tax treatment of the transaction.
On July 21, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx, an invited director and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, Ms. Nallicheri and the representatives of Goodwin reported on the recent negotiations of the merger agreement with representatives of Revolution Medicines and Latham. As part of this discussion, Ms. Nallicheri noted that Revolution Medicines had agreed to providing one board seat for an EQRx independent director following closing. Ms. Nallicheri also provided an update on the due diligence process, preparation of financial projections for Revolution Medicines and a business case for EQRxs remaining assets (noting that such business case would be incomplete, as acquisitions of late-stage clinical assets would be necessary to pursue this strategy), and the status of the liquidation analysis. Ms. Nallicheri indicated that, based on the additional work that had been undertaken, EQRx expected to have more net cash available following the wind-down of its programs than the $1.05 billion reflected in the June 29th Proposal.
On July 22, 2023, Ms. Nallicheri had a call with Dr. Goldsmith during which Ms. Nallicheri indicated that, based on current assumptions that were continuing to be refined, EQRx expected to have more net cash available following the wind-down of its programs than the $1.05 billion assumed by Revolution Medicines. Dr. Goldsmith asked for further information regarding the expected net cash and indicated that he did not intend to further discuss this matter until all of the other terms had been negotiated. Ms. Nallicheri and Dr. Goldsmith also discussed the one board seat to be allocated to EQRx at closing, including the possibility of Sandra Horning, M.D., a co-founder of Legacy EQRx and current independent member of the EQRx board of directors, filling that seat. Following this discussion, Dr. Goldsmith requested that Ms. Nallicheri introduce him to Dr. Horning. Thereafter, with the consent of the EQRx transaction committee, Dr. Horning and Dr. Goldsmith had an introductory call.
On July 23, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx, an invited director and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, management, as well as external consultants engaged by EQRx at the request of the EQRx transaction committee, reported on the results of the clinical review of Revolution Medicines programs. The meeting participants discussed the opportunities and risks presented by such programs, including regulatory, manufacturing and CMC matters, and the competitive environment. Ms. Nallicheri and the representatives of Goodwin also reported on the on-going discussions with Revolution Medicines and negotiations of the merger agreement and related documents. In addition, the meeting participants discussed employee-related matters, including the adoption of a severance policy for employees at the level of Vice President and below given the anticipated reductions in force if the transaction with Revolution Medicines were to proceed. Ms. Nallicheri provided an update on the preparation of financial projections for Revolution Medicines and a business case for EQRxs remaining assets, as well as the status of the liquidation analysis.
On July 25, 2023, the EQRx compensation and talent development committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx and representatives of Goodwin were present. At this meeting, management reviewed various topics relating to potential reductions in force during the remainder of 2023 in the event that EQRx were to reach agreement with Revolution Medicines regarding a potential transaction. In addition, the representatives of Goodwin provided an overview of the potential Code Section 4999 excise tax on certain employees of EQRx who may be subject to such excise tax, a list of affected employees, and potential approaches to mitigate any excise tax. The EQRx compensation and talent development committee determined that the imposition of the excise tax on such employees would result in an unintended personal tax burden that would deprive the individuals of a portion of the value of their compensatory payments in connection with the mergers, and authorized management and the representatives of Goodwin to pursue such mitigation efforts as may be agreed upon by Revolution Medicines. See the section titled Interests of EQRxs Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger for further information.
On July 26, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx, an invited director and representatives of Goldman Sachs, Goodwin and EQRxs Delaware counsel,
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Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., referred to as RLF, were present. At this meeting, the representatives of Goodwin and RLF reviewed the fiduciary duties of the directors in this context. Ms. Nallicheri and the representatives of Goodwin reported on the on-going negotiations of the merger agreement and related documents. Management also reviewed the process, methodology and assumptions with respect to the preparation of financial projections for Revolution Medicines and a business case for EQRxs remaining assets. The representative of RLF then reviewed the liquidation and dissolution process in Delaware, including the required steps and expected timing. Representatives of BRG then joined the meeting and reviewed their liquidation analysis for EQRx, including the related methodology and assumptions. See the section titled Certain EQRx Unaudited Prospective Financial Information for further information.
On July 28, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx, an invited director and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, management reviewed standalone financial forecasts for Revolution Medicines for the remainder of calendar year 2023 and calendar years 2024 through 2042 prepared by EQRx senior management for use in evaluating a proposed transaction with Revolution Medicines (see the discussion of the Revolution Medicines forecasts prepared by EQRx in the section titled Certain EQRx Unaudited Prospective Financial Information), which financial forecasts had been prepared based on the process, methodology and assumptions discussed at the July 26th meeting of the EQRx transaction committee. The meeting participants also discussed how these financial projections compared to current analyst estimates for Revolution Medicines. In addition, the meeting participants discussed the excess net cash expected to be available following the wind-down of EQRxs programs and the plan to request an increase in the aggregate value being provided by Revolution Medicines as a result. The meeting participants also discussed that, following further investigation, EQRx would not be able to terminate the EQRx private warrants or all of the EQRx earn-out shares prior to the signing of a definitive agreement with Revolution Medicines, and the potential impact on the calculation of the exchange ratio. The EQRx communications team, including representatives of its external communications firm, also joined for a portion of the meeting and reviewed the communications planning process.
Later on July 28, 2023, Ms. Nallicheri had a call with Dr. Goldsmith to further discuss the excess net cash expected by EQRx management to be delivered by EQRx and the inability to terminate the EQRx private warrants or all of the EQRx earn-out shares prior to signing. Following this conversation, representatives of Goldman Sachs also had a discussion with representatives of Guggenheim Securities regarding these matters, and members of EQRx management had a call with members of Revolution Medicines management to further discuss EQRx managements estimate of the net cash expected to be delivered to Revolution Medicines as a result of the transaction.
On July 29, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of management of EQRx, invited directors and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, Ms. Nallicheri provided an update on the status of discussions with Revolution Medicines and the remaining open points on the merger agreement. The representatives of Goldman Sachs then reviewed a preliminary illustrative financial analysis of the combined company based on preliminary transaction terms that were subject to further negotiation. Also at this meeting, management reviewed an illustrative standalone business case for EQRxs remaining assets for reference purposes, noting that the related financial forecasts were incomplete as a stand-alone business plan as the forecasts did not include potential acquisitions of late-stage clinical assets, which would be necessary to consider for this business case to be viable, because such acquisitions could not be predicted nor could their potential financial impact be quantified (see the discussion of the EQRx standalone business case in the section titled Certain EQRx Unaudited Prospective Financial Information). Given the unreliability and incompleteness of the standalone business case, the EQRx transaction committee directed MTS to use the liquidation analysis from EQRx management that was based on the BRG liquidation analysis in connection with the preparation of MTS Securities fairness opinion (see the sections titled Certain EQRx Unaudited Prospective Financial Information and Opinion of MTS Securities, EQRxs Financial Advisor). In addition, the meeting participants further discussed the excess net cash expected by EQRx management to be available and the treatment of the EQRx private warrants and EQRx earn-out shares in the
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transaction. Following this discussion, the EQRx transaction committee provided instruction to representatives of Goldman Sachs in negotiating these items with Guggenheim Securities. In executive session, the EQRx transaction committee also discussed the formal engagement of MTS as a financial advisor to EQRx to render a fairness opinion in connection with the proposed transaction with Revolution Medicines. Representatives of Goodwin reviewed with the EQRx transaction committee the terms of the proposed engagement of MTS and customary relationship disclosure regarding Revolution Medicines during the preceding two-year period made available by MTS. The EQRx transaction committee thereafter authorized EQRx to formally engage MTS on the terms presented at the meeting. Later that day, EQRx and MTS entered into the related engagement letter. See Opinion of MTS Securities, EQRxs Financial Advisor for further information regarding the engagement letter with MTS.
Later on July 29, 2023, representatives of Goldman Sachs, at the direction of the EQRx transaction committee, had calls with representatives of Guggenheim Securities to further discuss the expected excess net cash expected by EQRx management to be delivered by EQRx and the treatment of the EQRx private warrants and EQRx earn-out shares in the transaction. During this discussion, at the direction of the EQRx transaction committee, the representatives of Goldman Sachs communicated the following proposal: (i) $45-50 million in additional value to EQRx stockholders as a result of the excess net cash; and (ii) with respect to the calculation of the exchange ratio, the inclusion of no private warrants or EQRx earn-out shares in the EQRx fully-diluted share number. In addition, representatives of Goodwin communicated to representatives of Latham that EQRx did not expect to deliver termination of all of the earn-out shares at or prior to signing of a merger agreement.
Also on July 29, 2023, a representative of Goodwin updated Mr. Borisy on the general status of discussions with Revolution Medicines, but not the terms, and the related request from Revolution Medicines that he sign voting and lock-up agreements in connection with the proposed transaction.
On July 30, 2023, representatives of Latham distributed to Goodwin a revised draft of the merger agreement and certain related documents characterized as Revolution Medicines final proposal, including with respect to the points raised by Ms. Nallicheri during her July 28th call with Dr. Goldsmith. The revised terms included (i) an increase in the second tranche of equity consideration from $850 million to $870 million, (ii) a change in the previously agreed-upon pricing measurement period for the first tranche of equity consideration from the VWAP of Revolution Medicines common stock during the five trading days prior to signing to the ten trading days prior to signing, and (iii) the inclusion of 10% of the EQRx private warrants and 50% of the EQRx earn-out shares not waived prior to closing in the EQRx fully-diluted share number used to calculate the exchange ratio.
Later on July 30, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee held a meeting at which members of senior management of EQRx, invited directors and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin were present. At this meeting, the representatives of Goodwin reviewed the changes to the merger agreement set forth in the most recent draft provided by Latham. The representatives of Goldman Sachs also reviewed the increased amount of the second equity tranche, the changed pricing period for the first equity tranche, and the inclusion of portions of the EQRx private warrants and EQRx earn-out shares in the fully-diluted share number used to calculate the exchange ratio. Following discussion, the EQRx transaction committee determined to accept the $20 million increase in the value of the second equity tranche, but directed representatives of Goldman Sachs to contact Guggenheim Securities to provide the following counter: (i) 10% for the inclusion of non-waived EQRx earn-out shares in the EQRx fully-diluted share number; and (ii) a five-day VWAP pricing period for the first equity tranche.
Following the meeting, at the direction of the EQRx transaction committee, representatives of Goldman Sachs contacted representatives of Guggenheim Securities and made the counteroffer authorized by the EQRx transaction committee. Representatives of Guggenheim Securities subsequently contacted representatives of Goldman Sachs with the best and final offer from Revolution Medicines, consisting of: (i) 10% for the inclusion of non-waived earn-out shares in the EQRx fully-diluted share number; and (ii) a fixed price of $26.00 per share of Revolution Medicines common stock for purposes of the first equity tranche in lieu of a VWAP calculation over a specified trading period.
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Later on July 30, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee reconvened with members of senior management of EQRx, an invited director and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Goodwin present. At this meeting, the representatives of Goldman Sachs provided a report on their conversations with Guggenheim Securities and reviewed the impact on the implied exchange ratio and price per share to EQRx stockholders of Revolution Medicines offer. Following discussion, the EQRx transaction committee determined to proceed with the finalization of the transaction with Revolution Medicines on the terms proposed.
On July 31, 2023, the EQRx transaction committee and the EQRx board of directors held a joint meeting, at which members of senior management of EQRx and representatives of Goldman Sachs, MTS and Goodwin were present, to consider approval of the proposed transaction with Revolution Medicines. At the meeting, representatives of Goodwin and management updated the EQRx board of directors regarding the recent interactions with Revolution Medicines and the status of the definitive transaction documentation. The representatives of Goodwin reviewed the fiduciary duties of the directors in this context and, thereafter, reviewed the terms of the proposed merger agreement and the related documentation. A representative of MTS Securities then reviewed with the EQRx board of directors its financial analysis of the exchange ratio to be received by the holders of shares of EQRx common stock (other than Revolution Medicines or any of its affiliates or any holders of excluded EQRx shares) pursuant to the mergers, and MTS Securities then rendered to the EQRx board of directors its oral opinion (which was subsequently confirmed by delivery of a written opinion as of July 31, 2023) that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the various assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations set forth in such written opinion, the exchange ratio to be received by the holders of EQRx common stock (other than Revolution Medicines or any of its affiliates or any holders of excluded EQRx shares) pursuant to the mergers was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. The full text of the written opinion of MTS Securities sets forth the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by MTS Securities in connection with its opinion. Based on the present operations of EQRx and at EQRxs direction and with EQRxs consent, MTS Securities used the liquidation values of EQRx as provided to MTS Securities by the EQRx transaction committee. MTS Securities expresses no opinion regarding the liquidation value of EQRx, Revolution Medicines or any other entity and have assumed that there had been no material change in the assets, financial condition, business or prospects of EQRx, Revolution Medicine or any of their respective subsidiaries since the date of the most recent relevant financial statements or financial information made available to MTS Securities. For more information on MTS Securities opinion, see Opinion of MTS Securities, EQRxs Financial Advisor. Following discussion and consideration of the merger agreement and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement (including the factors described in the section titled Recommendation of the EQRx Board of Directors; EQRxs Reasons for the Mergers), the EQRx transaction committee unanimously adopted resolutions recommending to the EQRx board of directors that the EQRx board of directors: (i) determine that the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the mergers, were advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, EQRx and its stockholders; (ii) approve and declare advisable the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby; and (iii) resolve to recommend the adoption of the merger agreement by EQRx stockholders. Thereafter, based upon the unanimous recommendation of the EQRx transaction committee, the members of the EQRx board of directors, other than Mr. Borisy and Dr. Meanwell who did not attend the meeting, unanimously adopted resolutions: (i) determining that the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the mergers, were advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, EQRx and its stockholders; (ii) approving and declaring advisable the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby; and (iii) resolving to recommend the adoption of the merger agreement by EQRx stockholders. As noted above, given Mr. Borisys relationship with Revolution Medicines and Dr. Meanwells relationship with BB Biotech and the potential conflicts or the appearance of potential conflicts that could arise as a result of these relationships, Mr. Borisy and Dr. Meanwell recused themselves from board and committee meetings (or portions thereof) relating to, and any deliberations or discussions regarding, a potential transaction with Revolution Medicines or any of the other potential counterparties contacted by EQRx.
Also at the meeting, the EQRx board of directors approved an amendment to EQRxs engagement letter with Goldman Sachs in light of the fact that Goldman Sachs did not render a fairness opinion with respect to the
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proposed transaction, which amendment was entered into by EQRx and Goldman Sachs shortly thereafter. The engagement letter as so amended provides for Goldman Sachs to receive a transaction fee of approximately $16.8 million contingent upon consummation of the mergers. The engagement letter also provides for EQRx to reimburse Goldman Sachs for certain of its expenses, including attorneys fees and disbursements, and to indemnify Goldman Sachs and related persons against certain liabilities.
In addition, on July 31, 2023, the Revolution Medicines board of directors held a meeting, at which members of senior management of Revolution Medicines and representatives of Guggenheim Securities and Latham were present, to consider approval of the proposed transaction with EQRx. At the meeting, representatives of management updated the Revolution Medicines board of directors regarding the recent interactions with EQRx and the status of the definitive transaction documentation. Representatives of Guggenheim Securities then reviewed with the Revolution Medicines board of directors a financial analysis of the proposed transaction with EQRx. The representatives of Latham reviewed the fiduciary duties of the directors in this context and, thereafter, reviewed the terms of the proposed merger agreement and the related documentation. Following discussion and consideration of the merger agreement and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement (including the factors described in the section titled Recommendation of the Revolution Medicines Board of Directors; Revolution Medicines Reasons for the Mergers), the members of the Revolution Medicines board of directors, other than Mr. Borisy who did not attend the meeting, unanimously adopted resolutions, among other things: (i) determining that the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the mergers, were advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, Revolution Medicines and its stockholders; (ii) approving and declaring advisable the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby; and (iii) resolving to recommend the approval of the issuance of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock pursuant to the mergers by its stockholders. Given Mr. Borisys relationship with EQRx and the potential conflicts or the appearance of potential conflicts that could arise as a result of this relationship, Mr. Borisy recused himself from board and committee meetings (or portions thereof) of the Revolution Medicines board of directors and committees thereof where the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement were discussed, including any meetings of the transaction committee of the Revolution Medicines board, which was composed of independent members of the Revolution Medicines board of directors.
During the evening of July 31, 2023, EQRx, Revolution Medicines, Merger Sub I and Merger Sub II executed the merger agreement, certain directors, executive officers and significant stockholders of EQRx executed the EQRx voting agreements and the Revolution Medicines lock-up agreements, and certain directors, executive officers and significant stockholders of Revolution Medicines executed the Revolution Medicines voting agreements and the Revolution Medicines lock-up agreements. In addition, Mr. Borisy entered into an EQRx voting agreement and a Revolution Medicines lock-up agreement in the same forms as signed by other EQRx directors. See the section titled The Ancillary Agreements for further information.
Before the opening of trading of the stock markets on August 1, 2023, EQRx and Revolution Medicines issued a joint press release announcing the execution of the merger agreement.
Recommendation of the Revolution Medicines Board of Directors; Revolution Medicines Reasons for the Mergers
At a special meeting held on July 31, 2023, the Revolution Medicines board of directors:
| determined that the merger agreement, the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including but not limited to the issuance of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to EQRx equityholders in connection with the mergers, are fair to, and in the best interests of, Revolution Medicines and its stockholders; |
| approved and declared advisable the merger agreement, the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including but not limited to the issuance of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to EQRx equityholders in connection with the mergers, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein; |
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| directed that the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal be submitted to Revolution Medicines stockholders for their approval; and |
| resolved to recommend that Revolution Medicines stockholders vote in favor of the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal, which is referred to as the Revolution Medicines board recommendation. |
Accordingly, the Revolution Medicines board of directors recommends that Revolution Medicines stockholders vote FOR the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal and FOR the Revolution Medicines adjournment proposal.
In its determinations and in reaching its recommendations, the Revolution Medicines board of directors, as described in the section titled Background of the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, held a number of meetings, considered the input of the Revolution Medicines transaction committee which held several meetings, consulted with Revolution Medicines senior management and its outside legal and financial advisors, and considered a number of factors and a substantial amount of information, including but not limited to the following factors (not necessarily presented in order of relative importance) that weighed in favor of the mergers.
| Financial Strength and Strategic Implications. The expectation that Revolution Medicines will, upon completion of the mergers, gain more than $1 billion in additional capital, which is intended to: |
| enhance Revolution Medicines balance sheet and thereby increase its go-forward financial certainty; |
| the expectation that the additional capital will enable Revolution Medicines to, among other things: |
| reinforce and sustain Revolution Medicines robust research and development initiatives, including its parallel development approach for its RAS(ON) Inhibitor pipeline; |
| maximize the potential clinical impact of Revolution Medicines targeted drug pipeline across multiple oncology indications; |
| enhancing Revolution Medicines flexibility to retain strategic control of its RAS(ON) Inhibitor pipeline; and |
| advance Revolution Medicines vision as a self-sufficient organization that discovers and develops highly innovative drug candidates. |
| Alternative Transactions. A comprehensive and thorough review and analysis of potential strategic, operational and financing strategies in light of Revolution Medicines business and potential capital needs, which resulted in the determinations that: |
| the mergers are more favorable to Revolution Medicines stockholders than other alternatives considered by the Revolution Medicines board of directors, including the change in its operational strategy or the pursuit of other potential strategic or financing transactions; |
| the capital expected to be gained in the mergers would reduce the need for Revolution Medicines pursue future equity financings, including on terms that may be more dilutive to Revolution Medicines stockholders; and |
| Revolution Medicines will be well-capitalized following completion of the mergers, enabling Revolution Medicines to be better positioned to pursue future strategic and/or financing transactions on terms that may be more favorable to Revolution Medicines and its stockholders. |
| Governance of Revolution Medicines. The expectation that, at the effective time, Sandra J. Horning, M.D. will join the Revolution Medicines board of directors, and the expectation that Revolution Medicines will benefit from Dr. Hornings significant industry experience and expertise. |
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| Terms and Conditions of the Mergers. The determination that the terms and conditions of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, taken as a whole, are reasonable, including but not limited to consideration of the following factors: |
| the floating component of the exchange ratio that takes into account ongoing business developments and potential movement in the price of Revolution Medicines common stock until close to the EQRx special meeting date, which could result in less dilution to Revolution Medicines stockholders and greater pro forma ownership of Revolution Medicines by Revolution Medicines stockholders, in each case relative to the time of signing of the merger agreement to the extent the stock price of Revolution Medicines increases following signing; |
| the fact that the exchange ratio was the result of extensive negotiation between the parties, as described in section titled Background of the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus; |
| the structure of the mergers as an all-stock transaction in order to enhance the strength of Revolution Medicines balance sheet; |
| the representations, warranties and covenants provided by EQRx; |
| the restrictions on EQRxs ability to solicit, engage in negotiations or discussions concerning or enter into agreements relating to competing acquisition proposals, as described in the section titled The Merger AgreementNo Solicitation or Negotiation of Acquisition Proposals of this joint proxy statement/prospectus; |
| that the right of the Revolution Medicines board of directors, under certain circumstances, to consider certain competing acquisition proposals and to change the Revolution Medicines board recommendation, as described in the sections titled The Merger AgreementNo Solicitation or Negotiation of Acquisition Proposals and The Merger AgreementNo Change in Recommendation of this joint proxy statement/prospectus; |
| the commitment on the part of EQRx to complete the mergers and the limited nature and absence of, in the belief of the Revolution Medicines board of directors, of any closing conditions under the merger agreement that are unlikely to be satisfied and the likelihood that the mergers will be completed on a timely basis; |
| the increased likelihood of obtaining the required EQRx stockholder approval due to the EQRx voting agreements that were signed by EQRx stockholders who collectively hold more than 40% of the voting shares of EQRx, and that such EQRx stockholders have agreed, among other things and subject to the terms and conditions of the EQRx voting agreements, to vote in favor of the EQRx merger agreement proposal; |
| the fact that certain directors, executive officers and significant stockholders of EQRx entered into lock-up agreements with Revolution Medicines which restricted certain transfers of shares owned by such directors, executive officers and stockholders for a period of 90 days following the closing date, subject to certain exceptions, as described in the section titled The Ancillary AgreementsLock-Up Agreements of this joint proxy statement/prospectus; |
| the merger agreement terms that provide Revolution Medicines with significant operating flexibility to conduct its business in the ordinary course of business between the signing of the merger agreement and the effective time, and that the merger agreement contains important restrictions on EQRxs conduct of its business during this period, as described in the section titled The Merger AgreementConduct of Business Prior to the Effective Time of this joint proxy statement/prospectus; |
| the fact that EQRx may be required to pay Revolution Medicines a termination fee of $25,000,000 or to reimburse Revolution Medicines for certain expenses up to $10,000,000 under certain |
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circumstances, as described in the section titled The Merger AgreementTermination Fees of this joint proxy statement/prospectus; and |
| the fact that Revolution Medicines stockholders will have an opportunity to vote on the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal. |
The Revolution Medicines board of directors weighed the above factors against a number of potentially negative factors in its deliberations, including but not limited to the following factors (not necessarily presented in order of relative importance):
| the risk that EQRxs planned winddown of its operations may be more costly than anticipated, or result in unanticipated liabilities, in either case reducing the capital available gained by Revolution Medicines in the mergers; |
| the significant number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued upon consummation of the mergers, including that a significant portion of the exchange ratio is fully floating based on Revolution Medicines stock price, which may result in significant dilution to Revolution Medicines current stockholders; |
| the possible diversion of Revolution Medicines managements attention to matters related to the mergers or EQRxs operations for an extended period of time during the pendency of, and following closing of, the mergers; |
| the substantial costs incurred and to be incurred in connection with the mergers, including those that could be incurred regardless of whether the mergers are consummated; |
| the restrictions on Revolution Medicines ability to solicit, engage in negotiations or discussions concerning or enter into agreements relating to competing acquisition proposals, as described in the section titled The Merger AgreementNo Solicitation or Negotiation of Acquisition Proposals of this joint proxy statement/prospectus; |
| the fact that the EQRx board of directors has the right, under certain circumstances, to consider certain competing acquisition proposals and to change the EQRx board recommendation, as described in the sections titled The Merger AgreementNo Solicitation or Negotiation of Acquisition Proposals and The Merger AgreementNo Change in Recommendation of this joint proxy statement/prospectus; |
| the possibility that the mergers may not be completed or that completion may be delayed for reasons beyond the control of Revolution Medicines or EQRx; |
| the contractual restrictions on the conduct of Revolution Medicines business between the signing of the merger agreement and the effective time, which although believed to be reasonable and not unduly burdensome, may delay or prevent Revolution Medicines from undertaking business opportunities that may arise or other actions it would otherwise take with respect to the operations of Revolution Medicines, as described in the section titled The Merger AgreementConduct of Business Prior to the Effective Time of this joint proxy statement/prospectus; |
| the contractual restrictions on the conduct of EQRxs business between the signing of the merger agreement and the effective time, which although believed to be reasonable and protective of Revolution Medicines interests, may allow EQRx to take actions that negatively impact Revolution Medicines expected benefits of the mergers, as described in the section titled The Merger AgreementConduct of Business Prior to the Effective Time of this joint proxy statement/prospectus; |
| the fact that Revolution Medicines may be required to pay EQRx a termination fee of $65,000,000 or to reimburse EQRx for certain expenses up to $10,000,000 under certain circumstances, as described in the section titled The Merger AgreementTermination Fees of this joint proxy statement/prospectus; and |
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| the risks of the type and nature described in the section titled Risk Factors of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the matters described in the section titled Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. |
The Revolution Medicines board of directors considered all of these factors and, on balance, concluded that the potential benefits of the mergers outweighed the risks and uncertainties of the mergers. Accordingly, the Revolution Medicines board of directors approved the merger agreement, the mergers, the issuance of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to EQRx equityholders in connection with the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.
In addition, the Revolution Medicines board of directors was aware of and considered the interests of its directors and executive officers that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of Revolution Medicines stockholders generally described in the section entitled Interests of Revolution Medicines Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The foregoing discussion of the information and factors that the Revolution Medicines board of directors considered is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather is meant to include the material factors that the Revolution Medicines board of directors considered. The Revolution Medicines board of directors collectively reached the conclusion to approve the mergers, the issuance of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to EQRx equityholders in connection with the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement in light of the various factors described above and other factors that the members of the Revolution Medicines board of directors believed were appropriate. In view of the complexity and wide variety of factors, both positive and negative, that the Revolution Medicines board of directors considered in connection with its evaluation of the mergers, the Revolution Medicines board of directors did not find it practical, and did not attempt, to quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative or specific weights or values to any of the factors it considered in reaching its decision and did not undertake to make any specific determination as to whether any particular factor, or any aspect of any particular factor, was favorable or unfavorable to the ultimate determination of the Revolution Medicines board of directors. In considering the factors discussed above, individual directors may have given different weights to different factors.
The foregoing description of the Revolution Medicines board of directors consideration of the factors supporting the mergers is forward-looking in nature. This information should be read in light of the factors discussed in the section titled Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Recommendation of the EQRx Board of Directors; EQRxs Reasons for the Mergers
At a special meeting held on July 31, 2023, the EQRx board of directors, upon the unanimous recommendation of the EQRx transaction committee:
| determined that the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the mergers, were advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, EQRx and its stockholders; |
| approved and declared advisable the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby; and |
| resolved to recommend the adoption of the merger agreement by EQRx stockholders. |
Accordingly, the EQRx board of directors recommends that EQRx stockholders vote FOR adoption of the merger agreement, FOR the EQRx compensation proposal, and FOR the EQRx adjournment proposal at the EQRx special meeting.
In its determinations and in reaching its recommendations, each of the EQRx board of directors and the EQRx transaction committee, as described in the section titled Background of the Mergers of this joint
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proxy statement/prospectus, held a number of meetings, consulted with EQRx senior management and its outside legal and financial advisors, and considered a number of factors and a substantial amount of information, including, but not limited to, the following factors (not necessarily presented in order of relative importance) that weighed in favor of the mergers:
| the receipt of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock as merger consideration provides EQRx stockholders with the opportunity to share in the upside potential of both expected near-term and long-term value-creating catalysts related to Revolution Medicines programs and any future price appreciation of Revolution Medicines common stock; |
| the opportunity of Revolution Medicines to address one of the largest areas of unmet need in oncology, and the expectation that deploying EQRxs significant capital will enhance the potential clinical impact of Revolution Medicines targeted drug pipeline across multiple oncology indications, while allowing Revolution Medicines to retain strategic control of its pipeline; |
| the current status of the development of targeted therapies for RAS-addicted cancers in Revolution Medicines pipeline, including expected updates to be provided by Revolution Medicines with respect to the clinical antitumor activity of RMC-6236 (RASMULTI) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer or pancreatic cancer at the 2023 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress in October 2023, with supporting clinical data and a first report on initial clinical findings with RMC-6291 (KRASG12C) to be presented at the 2023 AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics also in October 2023; |
| the broader potential of Revolution Medicines research and development pipeline comprised of RAS(ON) Inhibitors designed to suppress diverse oncogenic variants of RAS proteins and RAS Companion Inhibitors for use in combination treatment strategies; |
| the results of EQRxs due diligence investigation of Revolution Medicines, including EQRxs assessment of Revolution Medicines portfolio, business plan and prospects; |
| the current and prospective business environment in which EQRx operates, including the regulatory environment, the competitive environment and the likely effect of these factors on EQRx and its prospects as a standalone company; |
| the inability to adapt EQRxs initial commercial and pricing models, plans and strategies to accommodate the current U.S. regulatory environment, and the challenges of resetting EQRxs strategy to focus on clinically differentiated medicines, including the need to identify and acquire other late-stage clinical assets in order for EQRxs standalone plan to be viable; |
| the processes conducted by EQRx, with the assistance of its advisors, to review other potential strategic alternatives, including company acquisitions or acquiring assets, licensing of clinical programs, strategic partnerships, a whole company sale, sales of certain assets and returning cash to stockholders, and, in connection therewith, contact with over 50 counterparties over an eight-month period regarding their potential interest in a transaction with EQRx, including outreach to 21 parties following receipt of Revolution Medicines initial proposal; |
| the timeline and complexities involved in a liquidation process for EQRx and returning EQRxs net cash to stockholders, including (i) the complexities and costs in winding down EQRxs programs and operations, (ii) the estimated timing of distributions to EQRxs stockholders, including the estimated 20-24 month period that would elapse before a liquidating distribution of EQRxs remaining assets could be made, (iii) the related Delaware court process and its impact on the timing of liquidating distributions, (iv) the requirement that EQRx reserve a portion of its capital for potential contingent liabilities, which amounts would not be available for distribution to stockholders until settlement of any such liabilities and completion of the dissolution process, and (v) other significant uncertainties and contingencies in the dissolution process that are beyond the control of EQRx; |
| the blended exchange ratio for the transaction with (i) approximately 20% of the Revolution Medicines common stock to be received by EQRx stockholders being priced at $26.00 as of the signing of the |
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merger agreement, which could increase in value prior to the closing based on any appreciation in the stock price of Revolution Medicines, and (ii) the other approximately 80% having a fixed value as a result of being priced in close proximity to closing with the benefit of a 6% discount in favor of EQRx stockholders; |
| the belief that, after negotiations with Revolution Medicines and its representatives (as described in more detail under the section titled Background of the Mergers), the exchange ratio was the highest price that Revolution Medicines was willing to pay as of the date of execution of the merger agreement and that the terms of the merger agreement include the most favorable terms to EQRx, in the aggregate, to which Revolution Medicines was willing to agree; |
| the presentation of financial analyses and the opinion of MTS Securities rendered orally to the EQRx board of directors (which was subsequently confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated July 31, 2023) that, as of such date and subject to the various assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations set forth in such written opinion, the exchange ratio to be received by the holders of shares of EQRx common stock (other than Revolution Medicines or any of its affiliates or any holders of excluded EQRx shares) pursuant to the mergers was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders, as more fully described under the heading Opinion of MTS Securities, EQRxs Financial Advisor of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the full text of the written opinion of MTS Securities, which is attached as Annex B to this joint proxy statement/prospectus; |
| the likelihood that the mergers would be completed based on, among other things, (i) the limited scope of the conditions included in the merger agreement, (ii) the scope of the effects, changes and developments that may be considered in determining whether a material adverse effect has occurred under the merger agreement, (iii) the Revolution Medicines voting agreements signed by the Revolution Medicines supporting stockholders and (iv) no regulatory approvals being required to close the transaction; |
| the ability of EQRx, under certain circumstances prior to receipt of the requisite approval of the EQRx stockholders, to consider and respond to an unsolicited alternative acquisition proposal, to furnish information to the person making such a proposal, and to engage in discussions or negotiations with the person making such a proposal; |
| the ability of the EQRx board of directors under certain circumstances to withdraw or modify its recommendation that EQRx stockholders vote to adopt the merger agreement, including in connection with a superior proposal; |
| the right of EQRx to terminate the merger agreement, under certain circumstances prior to receipt of the requisite approval of the EQRx stockholders, in order to accept a superior proposal and enter into a definitive agreement with respect to such superior proposal, and the $25 million termination fee payable by EQRx under certain circumstances, which the EQRx board of directors believed was reasonable relative to termination fees in transactions of a similar size, would not likely preclude competing bids and would not likely be payable unless EQRx entered into a definitive agreement for a superior proposal; |
| the agreement of Revolution Medicines to reimburse EQRx for up to $10 million of its transaction-related expenses in the event that the merger agreement is terminated as a result of Revolution Medicines failure to obtain the approval of its stockholders at the Revolution Medicines special meeting; |
| the restrictions on the conduct of Revolution Medicines business prior to the completion of the mergers, including the requirements to use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct its business in the ordinary course, to refrain from taking certain actions specified in the merger agreement, and, subject to certain exceptions, to not solicit or engage in discussions or enter into agreements with respect to alternative acquisition proposals; and |
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| the designation of one independent director from EQRx mutually agreed upon by the parties to be appointed to the Revolution Medicines board of directors in connection with the closing of the mergers. |
The EQRx board of directors and the EQRx transaction committee weighed the above factors against a number of potentially negative factors in their deliberations, including, but not limited to, the following factors (not necessarily presented in order of relative importance):
| the fact that Revolution Medicines is a clinical-stage oncology company with a limited operating history and limited infrastructure, no products approved for commercial sale, and significant losses since inception; |
| the risks and uncertainties inherent in the drug development process, including the stage of development of Revolution Medicines programs, the process of designing and conducting preclinical and clinical trials, the regulatory approval processes, the timing of regulatory filings, the challenges associated with manufacturing drug products, Revolution Medicines ability to successfully establish, protect and defend its intellectual property, other matters that could affect the sufficiency of Revolution Medicines capital resources to fund operations, and changes in the competitive landscape; |
| the potential negative effects of the public announcements of the merger agreement and EQRxs plans to wind down its programs, including effects on EQRxs relationships with its partners and other business relations and EQRxs ability to retain key management and personnel; |
| the fact that EQRx stockholders will have reduced ownership and voting interests in the combined company after the completion of the mergers (as compared to their current ownership and voting interests in EQRx) and will exercise less influence over the Revolution Medicines board of directors and management and policies of Revolution Medicines (as compared to their current influence over the EQRx board of directors and management and policies of EQRx); |
| the fact that the aggregate number of shares of Revolution Medicines common stock to be issued in the mergers will depend, in significant part, upon Revolution Medicines VWAP during the five-day trading period ending on the sixth business day prior to the EQRx special meeting (which, pursuant to the merger agreement, cannot be held prior to November 6, 2023) and, therefore, will be subject to changes in Revolution Medicines share price, including, without limitation, as a result of any developments in its programs announced by Revolution Medicines, as well as general stock market risk and volatility; |
| the possibility that the mergers may not be completed, including as a result of the failure to obtain the requisite stockholder approvals, or that completion may be unduly delayed, and the potential adverse effect of such failure to complete the mergers on the business and prospects of EQRx, including, among other things, as a result of the wind-down activities and reductions in force implemented by EQRx following execution of the merger agreement, the significant transaction costs incurred by EQRx, and disruptions in the relationships between EQRx and its partners, employees and other third parties; |
| the restrictions on the conduct of EQRxs business prior to the completion of the mergers, including, among other things, the requirements to use reasonable best efforts to conduct its business consistent with a mutually-agreed operating and capital expenditure budget, to use commercially reasonable efforts to wind down its programs, and to refrain from taking certain actions specified in the merger agreement; |
| the restrictions on EQRxs ability to continue to pursue additional value for its remaining assets on behalf of EQRx stockholders as a result of the negotiations with Revolution Medicines and the commencement of the wind-down activities; |
| the significant costs incurred in connection with entering into the merger agreement and completing the mergers (many of which are payable whether or not the mergers are completed) and the substantial time and effort of EQRx management required to complete the mergers; |
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| the fact that the merger agreement precludes EQRx from actively soliciting alternative acquisition proposals, and the possibility that EQRx may be obligated to pay Revolution Medicines a termination fee of $25 million in the event that the merger agreement is terminated under certain circumstances; |
| the fact that the opinion of MTS Securities rendered orally to the EQRx board of directors (which was subsequently confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated July 31, 2023) that, as of such date and subject to the various assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations set forth in such written opinion, the exchange ratio to be received by the holders of shares of EQRx common stock (other than Revolution Medicines or any of its affiliates or any holders of excluded EQRx shares) pursuant to the mergers was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders, speaks only as of the date of delivery and does not take into account events occurring or information that has become available after such date, including any changes in the business, programs or prospects of EQRx or Revolution Medicines, general market and economic conditions, and other factors which may be beyond the control of EQRx or Revolution Medicines and on which the opinion was based; |
| the risk of litigation; and |
| various other risks associated with the transactions and the businesses of Revolution Medicines, EQRx and the combined company described in the section titled Risk Factors. |
In addition, the EQRx board of directors was aware of and considered the interests of its directors and executive officers that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of EQRx stockholders generally when approving the merger agreement and recommending that EQRx stockholders vote to adopt the merger agreement. For more information, see the section titled Interests of EQRxs Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger.
The EQRx board of directors and the EQRx transaction committee determined that, overall, these potential risks and uncertainties were outweighed by the benefits expected to be achieved for EQRx stockholders as a result of the mergers. The EQRx board of directors and the EQRx transaction committee realized that there can be no assurance about future results, including results considered or expected as disclosed in the foregoing reasons.
The preceding discussion of the information and factors considered by the EQRx board of directors and the EQRx transaction committee is not, and is not intended to be, exhaustive. In light of the variety of factors considered in connection with their evaluation of the mergers and the complexity of these matters, the EQRx board of directors and the EQRx transaction committee did not find it practicable to, and did not, quantify or otherwise attempt to rank or assign relative weights to the various factors considered in reaching their respective determinations. In considering the factors described above and any other factors, individual members of the EQRx board of directors and the EQRx transaction committee may have viewed factors differently or given different weight, merit or consideration to different factors. In addition, the EQRx board of directors and the EQRx transaction committee did not undertake to make any specific determination as to whether any particular factor, or any aspect of any particular factor, was favorable or unfavorable to the ultimate determination of the EQRx board of directors or the EQRx transaction committee, but rather the EQRx board of directors and the EQRx transaction committee conducted an overall review of the factors described above, including discussions with EQRx senior management and legal and financial advisors.
The foregoing description of the consideration of certain factors by the EQRx board of directors and the EQRx transaction committee is forward-looking in nature. This information should be read in light of the factors discussed in the section titled Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
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Certain EQRx Unaudited Prospective Financial Information
Although EQRx periodically issues limited financial guidance to investors, EQRx does not as a matter of course publicly disclose financial forecasts or projections as to future revenues or other results of its operations due to, among other reasons, the uncertainty, unpredictability and subjectivity of the underlying assumptions and estimates. However, EQRx senior management has historically prepared and reviewed with the EQRx board of directors standalone financial forecasts for EQRx for use in connection with its strategic planning process and discussions regarding EQRxs potential business opportunities. At the direction of the EQRx transaction committee and in connection with the evaluation of the proposed transaction with Revolution Medicines or potential alternatives, EQRx senior management prepared an illustrative standalone business case for EQRx that included certain long-range financial forecasts for lerociclib, its early-stage CDK 2 asset, and its legacy assets consisting of aumolertinib and its early-stage immune-inflammatory (I&I) assets (which is referred to as the EQRx standalone business case). The EQRx standalone business case reflected a risk-adjusted outlook and was based on certain assumptions regarding epidemiology, asset-specific probabilities of technical and regulatory success, timing of the clinical development plan, timing of commercial launch, sales ramp, indications to be pursued, market size, market share, peak sales, pricing, expected cash burn rate, relative positioning versus competition, partnering and licensing arrangements, market exclusivity, estimated costs and expenses, and other relevant factors relating to EQRx and these product candidates. The EQRx standalone business case did not include potential future acquisitions of late-stage clinical assets, which the EQRx board of directors and senior management believed would be necessary to consider for the EQRx standalone business case to be viable, because such acquisitions could not be predicted nor could their potential financial impact be quantified. As a result, the EQRx standalone business case is necessarily unreliable and incomplete and, therefore, illustrative only. The EQRx standalone business case should not be viewed as the long-term strategic plan that EQRx would have pursued if EQRx had not entered into the merger agreement, but is being disclosed as part of the mix of information considered by the EQRx transaction committee and the EQRx board of directors in connection with the evaluation of potential strategic alternatives for EQRx. Accordingly, a summary of the EQRx standalone business case is included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus solely because it was provided to the EQRx transaction committee and the EQRx board of directors in connection with their evaluation of potential strategic alternatives for EQRx. The EQRx standalone business case was not provided to Revolution Medicines.
Also, at the direction of the EQRx transaction committee and in connection with the evaluation of the proposed transaction with Revolution Medicines or potential alternatives, EQRx engaged BRG Transaction and Valuation Opinions, LLC (referred to as BRG), an affiliate of Berkeley Research Group, LLC, a consulting firm with a focus on corporate finance advisory services, to prepare an analysis for the EQRx board of directors with respect to EQRxs estimated value to its stockholders in a liquidation scenario, including an estimate of the net cash that would be available for distribution to EQRx stockholders in connection with any such potential future liquidation (which is referred to as the BRG liquidation analysis). The BRG liquidation analysis was based upon certain information provided to BRG by EQRx and was limited in nature. The BRG liquidation analysis was based on certain assumptions and estimates of BRG regarding asset values, liabilities, potential proceeds from asset sales, wind-down costs and expenses, reserves for contingent liabilities, interest income, taxes, estimates for timing and quantum of distributions to stockholders, and other relevant factors relating to the potential wind-down of EQRxs operations. The BRG liquidation analysis was not intended to be relied upon as financial advice recommending any particular course of action, and did not, and was not intended to, constitute a fairness or other report, opinion or appraisal, or a financial forecast, with respect to the proposed transaction with Revolution Medicines or any potential alternative, including with respect to the merger consideration to be offered to EQRx stockholders in the proposed transaction with Revolution Medicines. Moreover, while MTS Securities was provided with a copy of the BRG liquidation analysis and provided an opportunity to discuss the analysis with BRG, the BRG liquidation analysis was solely directed to and for the information of the EQRx transaction committee and the EQRx board of directors, and no other parties were entitled to rely on the BRG liquidation analysis. MTS Securities did not rely on the BRG liquidation analysis when rendering its opinion but rather relied on the liquidation analysis provided by EQRx management that included certain results from the BRG liquidation analysis (which is referred to as the EQRx liquidation analysis), as directed by the EQRx
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transaction committee. The results of the BRG liquidation analysis as presented to the EQRx transaction committee on July 26, 2023, and the EQRx liquidation analysis are summarized below. Neither the BRG liquidation analysis nor the EQRx liquidation analysis was provided to Revolution Medicines.
The actual amount of cash available for distribution in a liquidation scenario would depend heavily on the timing of such liquidation and dissolution as well as the amount of cash that would need to be reserved for commitments and contingent liabilities. Moreover, if the mergers are not consummated, the EQRx board of directors intends to consider all strategic paths available to EQRx, including a liquidation of the company, and could decide, for example, to rebuild a pipeline including one or more product candidates through licenses, acquisitions or both, or through consummation of an alternative transaction, instead of liquidating the company.
In addition, as described in the section titled Background of the Mergers, at the direction of the EQRx transaction committee in connection with its evaluation of the proposed transaction with Revolution Medicines, EQRx senior management prepared certain financial projections for Revolution Medicines for fiscal years 2023 through 2042 based on the due diligence conducted with respect to Revolution Medicines and its portfolio of product candidates (which are referred to as the EQRx forecasts for Revolution Medicines). The EQRx forecasts for Revolution Medicines reflected a risk-adjusted outlook and were based on certain assumptions regarding epidemiology, asset-specific probabilities of technical and regulatory success, timing of the clinical development plan, timing of commercial launch, sales ramp, indications to be pursued, market size, market share, peak sales, pricing, expected cash burn rate, relative positioning versus competition, partnering and licensing arrangements, market exclusivity, estimated costs and expenses, effective tax rate, and other relevant factors relating to Revolution Medicines and its product candidates. While senior management of Revolution Medicines provided EQRx with input regarding certain assumptions underlying the EQRx forecasts for Revolution Medicines in connection with due diligence discussions, Revolution Medicines did not provide any management forecasts to EQRx or approve the forecasts prepared by EQRx.
The EQRx standalone business case, the BRG liquidation analysis, the EQRx liquidation analysis and the EQRx forecasts for Revolution Medicines (which are collectively referred to as the EQRx forecasts) were provided to and considered by the EQRx transaction committee and the EQRx board of directors in connection with their respective evaluations of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and EQRxs other strategic alternatives. The EQRx transaction committee directed MTS Securities to use the EQRx forecasts for Revolution Medicines and the EQRx liquidation analysis as described below in its financial analyses and for purposes of its fairness opinion (as summarized above under the section titled Opinion of MTS Securities, EQRxs Financial Advisor). The EQRx forecasts for Revolution Medicines (together with the related unlevered free cash flows) and the EQRx liquidation analysis were the only financial projections relied upon by MTS Securities in rendering its fairness opinion. MTS Securities also was provided the EQRx standalone business case by EQRx; however, such EQRx standalone business case was only reviewed by MTS Securities and not relied upon by MTS Securities in rendering its fairness opinion.
The summaries of the EQRx forecasts are not being included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus to influence any stockholders decision whether to vote for the EQRx merger agreement proposal, the Revolution Medicines share issuance proposal, or for any other purpose. The summaries of the EQRx forecasts are being included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus because the EQRx forecasts were provided to the EQRx transaction committee and the EQRx board of directors in connection with their evaluation of the strategic alternatives available to EQRx, including the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, and to MTS Securities. The EQRx forecasts may differ from published analyst estimates and, in each instance, do not take into account any events or circumstances after the date they were prepared, including the announcement of the mergers or the commencement of a process by EQRx to wind down its programs.
Each of the EQRx forecasts, although presented with numerical specificity, are necessarily based on numerous variables, estimates and assumptions that are inherently uncertain and many of which are beyond
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EQRxs or Revolution Medicines control. Because the EQRx forecasts cover multiple years, by their nature they will become subject to greater uncertainty with each successive year and are unlikely to anticipate each circumstance that will have an effect on EQRxs or Revolution Medicines business and their respective results of operations. The EQRx standalone business case and EQRx forecasts for Revolution Medicines were prepared by EQRx senior management based on certain estimates and assumptions with respect to general business, economic, competitive, regulatory, reimbursement and other market and financial conditions and other future events, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond EQRxs or Revolution Medicines control. As a result, there can be no assurance that any of such EQRx forecasts accurately reflect future trends or accurately estimate the future market for Revolution Medicines product candidates. The EQRx standalone business case and EQRx forecasts for Revolution Medicines were developed solely using the information available to EQRx senior management at the time they were created and reflect assumptions as to certain business decisions that are subject to change. Important factors that may affect actual results or that may result in any of the EQRx forecasts not being achieved include, but are not limited to: (i) the pursuit or success of preclinical studies and/or clinical trials (including the funding for such studies or trials, anticipated patient enrollment, clinical outcomes, timing or associated costs); (ii) regulatory approvals and related timelines; (iii) the timing of launch of commercial sales of product candidates; (iv) the market acceptance of potential products and product candidates; (v) development of potential products and product candidates for different indications; (vi) risks associated with the development of product candidates in combination with other therapies; (vii) the impact of competitive products and pricing; (viii) the effect of regulatory actions; (ix) the availability of partnering arrangements on favorable terms or at all; (x) the ability to establish and maintain intellectual property protection for products or avoid or defend claims of infringement; (xi) uncertainties in contractual relationships, including collaborations, partnerships, licensing or other arrangements and the performance of third-party suppliers and manufacturers; (xii) the effect of global economic conditions; (xiii) conditions in the financing markets and access to sufficient capital; (xiv) changes in applicable laws, rules and regulations; (xv) accuracy of certain accounting assumptions; (xvi) changes in actual or projected cash flows; (xvii) the impact of EQRxs wind-down activities on its business operations and prospects; and (xviii) other risk factors described in EQRxs and Revolution Medicines Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as the sections titled Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. In addition, the EQRx forecasts may be affected by EQRxs and/or Revolution Medicines ability to achieve their respective strategic goals, objectives and targets over the applicable period. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that any of the EQRx forecasts will be realized, and actual results may vary materially from those shown.
Modeling and forecasting the future development and commercialization of drug candidates by a clinical-stage company is a highly speculative endeavor. In addition to the various limitations described above, there can be no assurance of the approval, or timing of approval, of Revolution Medicines product candidates, and it is possible that other therapeutic regimens will be preferable. There also can be no assurance that Revolution Medicines will obtain the regulatory approvals necessary for the commercialization of Revolution Medicines product candidates, or that Revolution Medicines competitors will not commercialize products that are safer, more effective or more successfully marketed and sold than any product that Revolution Medicines may market or commercialize. Since the EQRx forecasts cover a long period of time, the EQRx forecasts by their nature will not anticipate each circumstance that will have an effect on Revolution Medicines or EQRxs product candidates. The EQRx forecasts were not prepared with a view toward complying with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, the published guidelines of the SEC or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation or presentation of prospective financial information. The EQRx forecasts included in this document have not been prepared by, and are not the responsibility of, Ernst & Young LLP nor PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Neither Ernst & Young LLP nor PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has audited, reviewed, examined, compiled or applied agreed-upon procedures with respect to the EQRx forecasts and, accordingly, Ernst & Young LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. The Ernst & Young LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reports incorporated by reference into this document relate to EQRxs and Revolution Medicines previously issued financial statements, respectively. Such reports do not extend to the EQRx forecasts and should not be read to do so.
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The EQRx forecasts were not prepared with a view toward public disclosure. The inclusion of the EQRx forecasts in this joint proxy statement/prospectus should not be regarded as an indication that any of EQRx, Revolution Medicines or any of their respective affiliates, officers, directors, advisors or other representatives considered or consider any of the EQRx forecasts necessarily predictive of actual future events, and none of the EQRx forecasts should be relied upon as such or construed as financial guidance. In addition, analyses relating to the value of EQRx or Revolution Medicines do not purport to be appraisals or reflect the prices at which shares of EQRx or Revolution Medicines common stock may actually be valued or trade, either before or after the consummation of the mergers. None of EQRx, Revolution Medicines or any of their respective affiliates assumes any responsibility for the accuracy of this information. None of EQRx, Revolution Medicines or any of their respective affiliates, advisors, officers, directors or representatives can give any assurance that actual results will not differ from any of the EQRx forecasts. None of EQRx, Revolution Medicines or any of their respective affiliates, advisors, officers, directors or representatives has made or makes any representation or warranty to any EQRx stockholders or Revolution Medicines stockholders regarding the ultimate performance of EQRx or Revolution Medicines compared to the information contained in any of the EQRx forecasts, the likelihood that the EQRx forecasts will be achieved consistent with any of the EQRx forecasts or at all, the results of Revolution Medicines preclinical studies or clinical trials, the potential timing and approval of commercial launch of any of Revolution Medicines future products, the effectiveness or marketability of Revolution Medicines product candidates, or the overall future performance of EQRx or Revolution Medicines. The EQRx forecasts are subjective in many respects and, thus, are subject to interpretation. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that any of the EQRx forecasts will be realized, and actual results may vary materially from those shown.
The EQRx forecasts for Revolution Medicines and the EQRx standalone business case were prepared assuming the applicable companys continued operation as a standalone, publicly traded company, and therefore do not give effect to the mergers or any changes to the applicable companys operations or strategy that may be implemented following the consummation of the mergers or to any costs incurred in connection with the mergers, including the effect of any business or strategic decision or action (including, without limitation, the process commenced by EQRx to wind down its programs) that has been or will be taken as a result of the execution of the merger agreement. This section includes a summary of certain key assumptions and does not purport to be a comprehensive overview of all assumptions reflected in each of the EQRx forecasts.
The EQRx forecasts include non-GAAP financial measures such as EBIT (as defined below), NOPAT (as defined below) and unlevered free cash flows. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information presented in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Financial measures included in projections provided to a financial advisor and a board of directors in connection with a business combination transaction are excluded from the definition of non-GAAP financial measures under the rules of the SEC, and therefore such financial measures are not subject to SEC rules regarding disclosures of non-GAAP financial measures, which may otherwise require a reconciliation of a non-GAAP financial measure to a GAAP financial measure. Except as included below, reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures were not provided to and were not relied on by EQRxs financial advisors, BRG, or the EQRx transaction committee or the EQRx board of directors in connection with its consideration of the mergers. Accordingly, EQRx has not provided a reconciliation of these financial measures included in any of the EQRx forecasts. Amounts in the tables below may not recalculate due to rounding.
Neither EQRx nor Revolution Medicines undertakes any obligation to update or otherwise revise or reconcile any of the EQRx forecasts to reflect circumstances existing after the date such EQRx forecasts were generated or to reflect the occurrence of future events even in the event that any or all of the assumptions underlying such EQRx forecasts are shown to be in error. Neither EQRx nor Revolution Medicines intends to make publicly available any update or other revisions to any of the EQRx forecasts, except as otherwise required by law.
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EQRx Standalone Business Case
In March 2023, EQRx senior management prepared and discussed with the EQRx board of directors a preliminary business scenario focused on lerociclib and its oncology drug discovery targets. This preliminary business scenario was not approved by the EQRx board of directors but instead was prepared by EQRx senior management and reviewed with the EQRx board of directors to facilitate discussion regarding potential strategic paths for EQRx. This preliminary business scenario included risk-adjusted financial forecasts for 2023 through 2035, including estimated annual revenue ranging from $0 to $2.4 billion, estimated annual gross profit ranging from $0 to $2.2 billion, and estimated annual operating income ranging from $(289) million to $1.7 billion. Subsequent to the preparation of this preliminary business scenario, (i) EQRx obtained additional clinical data for lerociclib, which negatively impacted EQRxs future market opportunities, (ii) EQRx re-prioritized its product candidate portfolio, including the discontinuation of certain clinical studies, (iii) the size of EQRxs organization was significantly decreased, and (iv) EQRx senior management continued to refine various assumptions underlying the preliminary business scenario in conjunction with resetting its business strategy. The updated assumptions based on these subsequent developments are reflected in the EQRx standalone business case described below.
In July 2023, at the direction of the EQRx transaction committee, EQRx senior management prepared, and discussed with the EQRx transaction committee, the EQRx standalone business case. The EQRx standalone business case was not approved by the EQRx transaction committee or the EQRx board of directors but instead was prepared to facilitate their evaluation of the proposed transaction with Revolution Medicines or potential alternatives. The EQRx standalone business case included selected projected financial information for EQRx for the second half of fiscal year 2023 and fiscal years 2024 through 2040, as prepared by EQRx senior management. The EQRx standalone business case focused on lerociclib, its early-stage CDK 2 asset, and its legacy assets (aumolertinib and its early-stage I&I assets). In particular, the EQRx standalone business case assumed the following: (i) approval of aumolertinib by the European Medicines Agency in 2024 followed by an ex-US partnership arrangement with an upfront payment in 2024 and royalty payments at a net rate of percentages ranging from high single digits to mid-teens thereafter; and (ii) transfer of EQRxs early-stage I&I assets to a standalone entity in which EQRx would retain a 20% ownership interest and receipt by EQRx of proceeds from the monetization by such entity of one I&I asset in 2027 (estimated $30 million in proceeds to EQRx) and another I&I asset in 2030 (estimated $167.5 million in proceeds to EQRx). As noted above, the EQRx standalone business case did not include potential future acquisitions of late-stage clinical assets, which the EQRx board of directors and management believed would be necessary to consider for the EQRx standalone business case to be viable. As a result, the EQRx standalone business case is necessarily unreliable and incomplete and, therefore, illustrative only.
The risk-adjusted financial forecasts reflected in the EQRx standalone business case for the second half of fiscal year 2023 and fiscal years 2024 through 2040 are summarized below (USD in millions):
H2 2023E | 2024E | 2025E | 2026E | 2027E | 2028E | 2029E | 2030E | 2031E | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Revenue |
$ | 0 | $ | 25 | $ | 2 | $ | 5 | $ | 64 | $ | 98 | $ | 151 | $ | 356 | $ | 219 | ||||||||||||||||||
Gross Profit |
$ | 0 | $ | 25 | $ | 2 | $ | 5 | $ | 61 | $ | 90 | $ | 140 | $ | 343 | $ | 204 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating Income |
($ | 126 | ) | ($ | 124 | ) | ($ | 173 | ) | ($ | 224 | ) | ($ | 147 | ) | ($ | 55 | ) | ($ | 2 | ) | $ | 198 | $ | 60 | |||||||||||
2032E | 2033E | 2034E | 2035E | 2036E | 2037E | 2038E | 2039E | 2040E | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Revenue |
$ | 242 | $ | 289 | $ | 338 | $ | 390 | $ | 404 | $ | 223 | $ | 131 | $ | 109 | $ | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||
Gross Profit |
$ | 227 | $ | 271 | $ | 318 | $ | 366 | $ | 380 | $ | 218 | $ | 126 | $ | 104 | $ | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating Income |
$ | 81 | $ | 123 | $ | 164 | $ | 202 | $ | 212 | $ | 110 | $ | 53 | $ | 41 | ($ | 11 | ) |
As a result of the process subsequently commenced by EQRx to wind down its programs, EQRx may not have any product candidates in active clinical development nor any material research and development collaborations if the proposed mergers were not to be completed. Accordingly, EQRxs future business prospects
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as a biopharmaceutical company would be limited unless EQRx is able to take steps to hire key personnel and rebuild a pipeline of product candidates through licenses, acquisitions or both, or through consummation of an alternative transaction. The EQRx board of directors also may determine to liquidate or dissolve EQRx and distribute any remaining net cash to EQRx stockholders.
Liquidation Analysis for EQRx
The BRG liquidation analysis represents a range of estimates of EQRxs aggregate net cash which could be available for distribution to EQRx stockholders in a scenario in which EQRx winds down its operations and liquidates. For purposes of this analysis, such range of estimates of EQRxs aggregate cash was determined by BRG as follows: estimated net balance sheet liquidation value of EQRx (calculated as total assets minus total liabilities), plus estimated proceeds from assumed asset sales during the wind-down period, less estimated wind-down costs (taking into account a reserve for contingent liabilities), plus estimated interest income during the wind-down period, on a net after-tax basis. The BRG liquidation analysis was subject to certain other assumptions and qualifications, and was based upon information provided to BRG by EQRx as of the date BRG presented its analysis to the EQRx transaction committee on July 26, 2023. The EQRx standalone business case (including the assumed regulatory approvals and transactions referred to therein) and the financial forecasts reflected in the EQRx standalone business case were not made available to BRG prior to BRGs presentation of the BRG liquidation analysis to the EQRx transaction committee. The timing assumptions underlying the BRG liquidation analysis included: (i) wind-down processes commencing on an assumed date of July 1, 2023; (ii) approval by the EQRx board of directors of a plan of liquidation on an assumed date of August 1, 2023, with EQRx stockholder approval occurring on an assumed date of November 1, 2023; (iii) an assumed initial pre-dissolution liquidating distribution to EQRx stockholders in the amount of $400 million on November 30, 2023; and (iv) the assumed completion of the liquidation and dissolution process and a liquidating distribution of all remaining net cash to EQRx stockholders on June 1, 2025. The BRG liquidation analysis resulted in an estimated range of after-tax liquidation values at June 1, 2025 (i.e., the estimated aggregate available cash for distribution to holders of EQRx common stock as of such date) of $1,124 million in the low case and $1,173 million in the high case prior to calculating the present value of such amounts. Based on the present value using an estimated cost of equity of 8.39%, the estimated range of after-tax liquidation values were $1,014 million (or $2.05 per share) in the low case and $1,057 million (or $2.14 per share) in the high case (assuming approximately 493.7 million fully-diluted shares outstanding as of July 2023, as provided by EQRx). BRG also calculated these values using a risk free rate of 4.06%, which resulted in $2.16 per share in the low case and $2.26 per share in the high case.
Following BRGs presentation of the BRG liquidation analysis to the EQRx transaction committee, the EQRx transaction committee directed MTS Securities, for purposes of its fairness opinion and related analysis, to use the EQRx liquidation analysis from EQRx management, which included the results of the BRG liquidation analysis prior to calculating the present value of the estimated amounts. The EQRx liquidation analysis included an estimated range of after-tax liquidation values of $1,124 million in the low case and $1,173 million in the high case derived from the BRG liquidation analysis, and an assumption that EQRx made an initial liquidating distribution of $400 million to EQRx stockholders on November 30, 2023, with the remainder of the estimated available net cash being distributed to EQRx stockholders upon completion of the liquidation and dissolution process on an assumed date of June 1, 2025. See the section titled Opinion of MTS Securities, EQRxs Financial Advisor.
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EQRx Forecasts for Revolution Medicines
Set forth below is a summary of the EQRx forecasts for Revolution Medicines on a standalone, risk-adjusted basis prepared by EQRx senior management, which included selected projected financial information for Revolution Medicines for fiscal years 2023 through 2042 based on EQRxs due diligence review of Revolution Medicines in connection with a potential transaction. The EQRx forecasts for Revolution Medicines focused on Revolution Medicines two lead programs, RMC-6236 (RASMULTI) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and RMC-6291 (KRASG12C) in NSCLC, plus Revolution Medicines broader platform. Forecasted total revenue included an assumed ex-U.S. commercial partnership with an upfront payment, commercial and development milestone payments, and royalties based on ex-U.S. sales. The risk-adjusted EQRx forecasts for Revolution Medicines for the applicable fiscal years are summarized below (USD in millions):
2023E | 2024E | 2025E | 2026E | 2027E | 2028E | 2029E | 2030E | 2031E | 2032E | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Revenue |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 54 | $ | 314 | $ | 869 | $ | 1,650 | $ | 2,439 | $ | 3,103 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Profit |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 50 | $ | 297 | $ | 823 | $ | 1,563 | $ | 2,311 | $ | 2,939 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Total R&D Expense |
(171 | ) | (447 | ) | (545 | ) | (585 | ) | (429 | ) | (290 | ) | (169 | ) | (121 | ) | (81 | ) | (42 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Total SG&A Expense |
(74 | ) | (75 | ) | (93 | ) | (108 | ) | (150 | ) | (211 | ) | (288 | ) | (427 | ) | (515 | ) | (587 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Stock-based Compensation |
(25 | ) | (65 | ) | (81 | ) | (98 | ) | (87 | ) | (75 | ) | (68 | ) | (82 | ) | (89 | ) | (94 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Add: Milestone Proceeds |
| | | 205 | | 103 | 107 | 88 | 91 | 130 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EBIT(1) |
($ | 270 | ) | ($ | 587 | ) | ($ | 720 | ) | ($ | 586 | ) | ($ | 615 | ) | ($ | 177 | ) | $ | 406 | $ | 1,020 | $ | 1,715 | $ | 2,345 | ||||||||||||||
2033E | 2034E | 2035E | 2036E | 2037E | 2038E | 2039E | 2040E | 2041E | 2042E | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Revenue |
$ | 3,721 | $ | 4,283 | $ | 4,729 | $ | 5,075 | $ | 5,316 | $ | 5,460 | $ | 5,606 | $ | 5,754 | $ | 5,903 | $ | 5,871 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Profit |
$ | 3,521 | $ | 4,050 | $ | 4,470 | $ | 4,796 | $ | 5,023 | $ | 5,160 | $ | 5,297 | $ | 5,436 | $ | 5,577 | $ | 5,555 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Total R&D Expense |
(46 | ) | (46 | ) | (47 | ) | (47 | ) | (47 | ) | (48 | ) | (48 | ) | (49 | ) | (50 | ) | (51 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Total SG&A Expense |
(655 | ) | (662 | ) | (666 | ) | (667 | ) | (667 | ) | (668 | ) | (670 | ) | (671 | ) | (674 | ) | (667 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Stock-based Compensation |
(105 | ) | (106 | ) | (107 | ) | (107 | ) | (107 | ) | (107 | ) | (108 | ) | (108 | ) | (109 | ) | (108 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Add: Milestone Proceeds |
| | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EBIT(1) |
$ | 2,716 | $ | 3,236 | $ | 3,651 | $ | 3,975 | $ | 4,201 | $ | 4,336 | $ | 4,472 | $ | 4,608 | $ | 4,745 | $ | 4,729 |
(1) | EBIT is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as gross profit, less total research and development expense, less total selling, general and administrative expense, less stock-based compensation, and plus milestone proceeds. |
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Set forth below is a summary of estimated, risk-adjusted unlevered free cash flows for Revolution Medicines for fiscal years 2023 through 2042, which were calculated based on the EQRx forecasts for Revolution Medicines and other projected financial information provided by EQRx senior management and used by MTS Securities in connection with its fairness opinion. Unlevered free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as net operating profit after tax (NOPAT), less capital expenditures, plus depreciation and amortization, and less change in net working capital. The forecasts of unlevered free cash flows for Revolution Medicines for the applicable fiscal years are summarized below (USD in millions):
2023E | 2024E | 2025E | 2026E | 2027E | 2028E | 2029E | 2030E | 2031E | 2032E | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOPAT(1) |
($ | 270 | ) | ($ | 587 | ) | ($ | 720 | ) | ($ | 586 | ) | ($ | 615 | ) | ($ | 177 | ) | $ | 381 | $ | 959 | $ | 1,613 | $ | 1,932 | ||||||||||||||
Less: Capital Expenditures |
(4 | ) | (7 | ) | (9 | ) | (10 | ) | (8 | ) | (7 | ) | (6 | ) | (8 | ) | (8 | ) | (9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Add: Depreciation & Amortization |
3 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Change in Net Working Capital |
| | | (2 | ) | (7 | ) | (14 | ) | (20 | ) | (44 | ) | (64 | ) | (87 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Unlevered Free Cash Flow |
($ | 270 | ) | ($ | 588 | ) | ($ | 721 | ) | ($ | 589 | ) | ($ | 623 | ) | ($ | 193 | ) | $ | 360 | $ | 914 | $ | 1,547 | $ | 1,844 | ||||||||||||||
2033E | 2034E | 2035E | 2036E | 2037E | 2038E | 2039E | 2040E | 2041E | 2042E | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOPAT(1) |
$ | 1,901 | $ | 2,265 | $ | 2,555 | $ | 2,783 | $ | 2,941 | $ | 3,035 | $ | 3,130 | $ | 3,226 | $ | 3,321 | $ | 3,310 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Capital Expenditures |
(10 | ) | (10 | ) | (10 | ) | (10 | ) | (10 | ) | (10 | ) | (10 | ) | (10 | ) | (10 | ) | (10 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Add: Depreciation & Amortization |
8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Add: Change in Net Working Capital |
(109 | ) | (105 | ) | (83 | ) | (60 | ) | (38 | ) | (19 | ) | (19 | ) | (20 | ) | (11 | ) | (16 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unlevered Free Cash Flow |
$ | 1,791 | $ | 2,158 | $ | 2,471 | $ | 2,721 | $ | 2,902 | $ | 3,015 | $ | 3,110 | $ | 3,205 | $ | 3,309 | $ | 3,293 |
(1) | NOPAT is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as EBIT less taxes. Assumes tax rate of 30% and estimated net operating loss balance of $526 million as of June 30, 2023, subject to 80% Section 382 limitation under the Code. |
In light of the foregoing factors and the uncertainties inherent in each of the EQRx forecasts, both EQRx stockholders and Revolution Medicines stockholders are cautioned not to place undue, if any, reliance on the EQRx forecasts. Neither EQRx nor Revolution Medicines intends to update or otherwise revise the EQRx forecasts to reflect circumstances existing after the date when made or to reflect the occurrence of future events, even in the case that any or all of the assumptions underlying the EQRx forecasts are no longer appropriate.
Opinion of MTS Securities, EQRxs Financial Advisor
EQRx retained MTS to act as its financial advisor in connection with the mergers, including to deliver the MTS opinion as defined below. On July 31, 2023, MTS Securities rendered its oral opinion to the EQRx board of directors (which was subsequently confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated July 31, 2023) that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the various assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations set forth in such written opinion, the exchange ratio to be received by the holders of shares of EQRx common stock (other than Revolution Medicines or any of its affiliates or any holders of excluded shares) pursuant to the mergers was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.
The full text of the written opinion of MTS Securities sets forth the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by MTS Securities in connection with its opinion. The MTS opinion is attached as Annex B to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. The summary of the MTS opinion set forth in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the MTS opinion. We urge you to read carefully the MTS opinion, together with the summary thereof in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, in its entirety.
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MTS Securities provided its opinion for the information and assistance of the EQRx board of directors in connection with its consideration of the exchange ratio. The MTS opinion addressed solely the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the exchange ratio to be received by the holders of shares of EQRx common stock (other than Revolution Medicines or any of its affiliates or any holders of excluded shares) pursuant to the mergers and does not address any other aspect or implication of the mergers. The MTS opinion was not a recommendation to the EQRx board of directors as to how to vote in connection with the merger agreement and is not a recommendation to any EQRx stockholder to take any action in connection with the mergers or any other matter.
In the course of performing its review and analyses for rendering the opinion described above, MTS Securities:
(i) | reviewed the financial terms of a draft copy of the merger agreement dated as of July 31, 2023, which was the most recent draft available to MTS Securities, which is referred to as the draft merger agreement, the financial terms of a draft copy of the EQRx stockholder voting agreement dated as of July 27, 2023, which was the most recent draft available to MTS Securities, which is referred to as the draft EQRx voting agreement, the financial terms of a draft copy of the EQRx stockholder lock-up agreement dated as of July 27, 2023, which was the most recent draft available to MTS Securities, which is referred to as the draft EQRx lock-up agreement, the financial terms of a draft copy of the earn-out waiver and release agreement dated as of July 30, 2023, which was the most recent draft available to MTS Securities, which is referred to as the draft earn-out waiver and release agreement; |
(ii) | reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information concerning each of EQRx and Revolution Medicines and the industries in which they operate; |
(iii) | reviewed certain internal financial analyses and forecasts relating to EQRxs business prepared by and provided to MTS Securities by the management of EQRx, which are referred to in this section as the EQRx forecasts, as set forth under the heading Certain EQRx Unaudited Prospective Financial Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and certain internal financial analyses and forecasts relating to Revolution Medicines business prepared by and provided to MTS Securities by the management of EQRx, which are referred to in this section as the EQRx forecasts for Revolution Medicines and referred to together with the EQRx forecasts as the projections, as described under the heading Certain EQRx Unaudited Prospective Financial Information of this joint proxy statement/prospectus; |
(iv) | conducted discussions with members of senior management and representatives of EQRx concerning the matters described in clauses (ii)-(iii) above and any other matters MTS Securities deemed relevant; |
(v) | reviewed and analyzed the reported current and historical prices and trading history of shares of EQRx common stock and Revolution Medicines common stock; |
(vi) | reviewed and analyzed, based on the EQRx forecasts for Revolution Medicines, the cash flows to be generated by Revolution Medicines to determine the present value of Revolution Medicines discounted cash flows; |
(vii) | compared the financial performance of Revolution Medicines with corresponding data for certain publicly-traded companies that MTS Securities deemed relevant in evaluating Revolution Medicines; |
(viii) | reviewed and analyzed certain publicly available financial and other information of certain publicly-traded companies that MTS Securities deemed relevant; |
(ix) | reviewed and analyzed, in light of the business, operations and assets of the Company, the Companys assumptions about the cash consideration that would likely be received by the holders of the Company Common Stock if the Company were to undergo a liquidation; and |
(x) | performed such other financial studies, analyses and investigations and considered such other information as MTS Securities deemed appropriate for the purposes of its opinion. |
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In arriving at its opinion, MTS Securities assumed and relied upon, without assuming liability or responsibility for independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial, legal, regulatory, tax, accounting and other information that was publicly available or was provided to, discussed with or reviewed by MTS Securities and upon the assurances of the management of EQRx that it was not aware of any material relevant developments or matters related to EQRx or Revolution Medicines or that may affect any of the mergers that had been omitted or that remained undisclosed to MTS Securities. The MTS opinion does not address any legal, regulatory, tax, accounting or financial reporting matters, as to which MTS Securities understood that EQRx had obtained such advice as it deemed necessary from other advisors, and MTS Securities relied, with the consent of the EQRx board of directors, on any assessments made by such other advisors to EQRx with respect to such matters. Without limiting the foregoing, MTS Securities did not consider any tax effects of the mergers or the form or transaction structure of the mergers on any person or entity. MTS Securities did not conduct any independent verification of the projections and expressed no view as to the projections or the assumptions on which they were based. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, with respect to the projections, MTS Securities assumed, with EQRxs consent and based upon discussions with the management of EQRx, that they were reasonably prepared in good faith and that the projections reflected the best currently available estimates and judgments of the management of EQRx of the future results of operations and financial performance of EQRx and Revolution Medicines, respectively.
In arriving at its opinion, MTS Securities made no analysis of, and expressed no opinion as to, the adequacy of the reserves of EQRx and Revolution Medicines and relied upon information supplied to MTS Securities by EQRx as to such adequacy. In addition, MTS Securities did not make any independent evaluations or appraisals of the assets or liabilities (including any contingent derivatives or off-balance-sheet assets or liabilities) of EQRx or Revolution Medicines or any of their respective subsidiaries, and MTS Securities was not furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals, nor did MTS Securities evaluate the solvency of EQRx or any other entity under any state or federal law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or similar matters. Based on the present operations of EQRx and at EQRxs direction and with its consent, MTS Securities used the liquidation values of EQRx as provided to MTS Securities by the EQRx transaction committee. MTS Securities expressed no opinion regarding the liquidation values of EQRx, Revolution Medicines or any other entity. MTS Securities assumed that there had been no material change in the assets, financial condition, business or prospects of EQRx, Revolution Medicines or any of their respective subsidiaries since the date of the most recent relevant financial statements or financial information made available to MTS Securities. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, MTS Securities undertook no independent analysis of any pending or threatened litigation, regulatory action, possible unasserted claims or other contingent liabilities to which EQRx, Revolution Medicines or any of its affiliates is a party or may be subject, and, at the direction of EQRx and with its consent, the MTS opinion makes no assumption concerning, and therefore does not consider, the possible assertion of claims, outcomes or damages arising out of any such matters. MTS Securities also assumed that neither EQRx nor Revolution Medicines nor any of their respective subsidiaries is party to any material pending transaction that had not been disclosed to MTS Securities, including, any financing, recapitalization, acquisition or merger, divestiture or spin-off, other than the mergers. In addition, MTS Securities did not conduct, nor did MTS Securities assume any obligation to conduct, any physical inspection of the properties or facilities of EQRx, Revolution Medicines or any of their respective subsidiaries. MTS Securities did not consider any potential legislative or regulatory changes then-currently being considered or that may be adopted by any governmental or regulatory bodies or any potential changes in accounting methods or generally accepted accounting principles that may be adopted.
MTS Securities assumed that the representations and warranties of each party contained in each of the merger agreement and the related agreements and in all other related documents and instruments that are referred to therein are and will be true and correct as of the date or the dates made or deemed made, that each party thereto will fully and timely perform all of the covenants and agreements required to be performed by it under the merger agreement and the related agreements, and any other agreement contemplated thereby, that all conditions to the consummation of any of the mergers will be satisfied without waiver thereof and that the mergers will be consummated in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement and the related agreements without waiver, modification or amendment of any term, condition or agreement thereof. MTS Securities
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assumed that the final form of each of the merger agreement, the EQRx voting agreement, the EQRx lock-up agreement and the earn-out waiver and release agreement will be in all respects relevant to its analysis identical to the draft merger agreement, the draft EQRx voting agreement, the draft EQRx lock-up agreement and the draft earn-out waiver and release agreement, respectively. MTS Securities also assumed that any governmental, regulatory and other consents and approvals contemplated in connection with the mergers will be obtained and that, in the course of obtaining any of those consents and approvals, no restrictions will be imposed or waivers made that would have an adverse effect on EQRx, Revolution Medicines or the benefits contemplated to be realized as a result of the mergers.
The MTS opinion was necessarily based on economic, market, financial and other conditions as existing, and on the information made available to MTS Securities, as of the date of the MTS opinion. It should be understood that, although subsequent developments may affect the conclusion reached in the MTS opinion, MTS Securities does not have any obligation to update, revise or reaffirm the MTS opinion.
The MTS opinion addresses solely the fairness, from a financial point of view and as of the date thereof, to the holders of shares of EQRx common stock (other than Revolution Medicines or any of its affiliates or any holders of excluded shares) of the exchange ratio to be received by such holders pursuant to the mergers and does not address any other terms in the merger agreement, the related agreements or any other agreement relating to any of the mergers or any other aspect or implication of any of the mergers, including any financing arrangements to be entered into in connection with the mergers. The MTS opinion does not address EQRxs underlying business decision to proceed with the mergers or the relative merits of the mergers compared to other alternatives available to EQRx. MTS Securities expressed no opinion as to the prices or ranges of prices at which shares or other securities of any person, including shares of EQRx common stock or Revolution Medicines common stock, will trade at any time, including following the announcement or consummation of the mergers. For purposes of the MTS opinion, MTS Securities did not consider any impact of any additional rights or obligations of any holder of shares of EQRx common stock pursuant to any related agreement or any other agreement entered into, or that may be entered into, by any holder of shares of EQRx common stock in connection with the mergers. MTS Securities was not requested to opine as to, and the MTS opinion does not in any manner address, the amount or nature of compensation to any of the officers, directors or employees of any party to any of the mergers, or any class of such persons, relative to the consideration to be received by EQRx stockholders in connection with the mergers or with respect to the fairness of any such compensation. As instructed by EQRx management, MTS Securities was not requested to, and MTS Securities did not, solicit indications of interest or proposals from third parties regarding a possible acquisition of all or any part of EQRx or any alternative transaction.
The issuance of the MTS opinion was approved by an opinion committee of MTS Securities.
Summary of Financial Analyses
MTS Securities performed a variety of financial analyses for purposes of rendering its opinion. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. In arriving at its opinion, MTS Securities considered the results of all of its analyses as a whole and did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor considered. Each analytical technique has inherent strengths and weaknesses, and the nature of the available information may further affect the value of particular techniques. The overall conclusions MTS Securities reached were based on all the analyses and factors presented, taken as a whole, and also on application of MTS Securities own experience and judgment. Such conclusions may involve significant elements of subjective judgment and qualitative analysis. MTS Securities therefore gave no opinion as to the value or merit standing alone of any one or more parts of the analyses. No company or transaction used in any analysis for purposes of comparison was identical to EQRx or Revolution Medicines. Accordingly, an analysis of the results of the comparisons was not mathematical; rather, it involved complex considerations and judgments about differences in the companies and transactions to which EQRx and Revolution Medicines were compared and other factors that could affect the public trading value or transaction
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value of the companies. Furthermore, MTS Securities believes that the summary provided and the analyses described below must be considered as a whole and that selecting any portion of the analyses, without considering all of them, would create an incomplete view of the process underlying MTS Securities analysis and opinion. As a result, the ranges of valuations resulting from any particular analysis or combination of analyses described below should not be taken to be the view of MTS Securities with respect to the actual value of EQRx, Revolution Medicines, EQRx common stock or Revolution Medicines common stock.
Based on the present operations of EQRx and at EQRxs direction and with EQRxs consent, MTS Securities used the liquidation values of EQRx as provided to MTS Securities by EQRxs transaction committee. MTS Securities expresses no opinion regarding the liquidation value of EQRx, Revolution Medicines or any other entity and have assumed that there had been no material change in the assets, financial condition, business or prospects of EQRx, Revolution Medicines or any of their respective subsidiaries since the date of the most recent relevant financial statements or financial information made available to MTS Securities.
Some of the summaries of the financial analyses include information presented in tabular format. The tables must be read together with the full text of the corresponding summaries and are alone not a complete description of the financial analyses performed by MTS Securities. Considering the data in the tables below without considering the corresponding full narrative descriptions of the financial analyses, including the methodologies and assumptions underlying such analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the financial analyses performed by MTS Securities.
In performing its analyses, MTS Securities made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, general business, regulatory and economic conditions and other matters, all of which are beyond MTS Securities control and many of which are beyond the control of EQRx and/or Revolution Medicines. Any estimates used by MTS Securities in its analyses are not necessarily indicative of future results or actual values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by such estimates.
MTS Securities performed standalone valuation analyses of both EQRx and Revolution Medicines using a variety of valuation methodologies, as described below. MTS Securities then performed a relative valuation analysis to compare the implied exchange ratio based on the terms of the merger agreement to the exchange ratios implied from the valuation analysis. Except as otherwise noted, the following quantitative information, to the extent that it is based on market data, is based on market data as it existed on or before July 31, 2023 and is not necessarily indicative of current market conditions.
EQRx Financial Analyses
Liquidation Analysis
MTS Securities reviewed and analyzed the proposed financial terms of the mergers as compared to EQRxs assumptions about the cash consideration that would likely be received by the holders of EQRx common stock if EQRx were to undergo a liquidation, as reflected in the EQRx liquidation values provided to MTS Securities by EQRxs transaction committee and described below, which is referred to as the EQRx liquidation value estimate range. For purposes of the EQRx liquidation value estimate range, EQRx provided MTS Securities with information on the possible liquidation of EQRx commencing on July 1, 2023 and an assumed completion date by June 1, 2025, including the assumed aggregate available cash for distribution to holders of EQRx common stock if such liquidation were to be completed by such date of $1,124 million in the low case to $1,173 million in the high case. MTS Securities derived the EQRx liquidation value estimate range per share of EQRx common stock by discounting the assumed aggregate available cash amount provided by EQRx at the 2-year (low case) and 1-month (high case) Treasury rates of 4.87% and 5.47%, respectively, as of July 28, 2023, resulting in an implied equity value range of $1,050 million (low case) to $1,090 million (high case) (each rounded to the nearest $10 million). The range of implied equity values was then divided by 494 million, which represents the fully diluted shares of EQRx common stock outstanding as provided by EQRx management, resulting in an estimated EQRx liquidation per share value range of $2.15 (low case) to $2.20 (high case) (each, rounded to the nearest $0.05).
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EQRx Historical Stock Price Performance
MTS Securities reviewed for informational purposes only the share price trading history of the shares of EQRx common stock for the period beginning on May 8, 2023, the date EQRx announced its intention to restructure and change its strategy following FDA interactions that impacted the commercial viability of multiple clinical-stage programs, and ending on July 28, 2023. MTS Securities observed that during this period, the shares of EQRx common stock traded as low as $1.64 per share and as high as $2.09 per share and observed that the closing price per share on July 28, 2023 was $1.71 per share. MTS Securities derived the implied fully diluted equity value range over the period of $810 million to $1,032 million using the low and high per share trading price and the then-current capitalization information provided by EQRx management.
In addition, MTS Securities reviewed the volume-weighted average trading price per share (referred to as VWAP) over the 5 trading day, 20 trading day, 60 trading day, six-month, and 12-month periods ending on July 28, 2023. These VWAPs are set forth in the table below.
Trading Period |
VWAP | |||
5 Trading Days |
$ | 1.7687 | ||
20 Trading Days |
$ | 1.9372 | ||
60 Trading Days |
$ | 1.8386 | ||
6 Months |
$ | 1.9667 | ||
12 Months |
$ | 3.1222 |
The EQRx share price trading history, implied fully diluted equity value and volume weighted average trading prices were provided to the EQRx board of directors for informational purposes only and were not relied upon by MTS Securities for valuation purposes.
Revolution Medicines Financial Analyses
Selected Public Trading Analysis
Using publicly available information, MTS Securities compared selected financial data of Revolution Medicines with similar data for companies selected by MTS Securities, among other reasons, because they are publicly traded companies with operations and businesses that, for purposes of MTS Securities analysis, may be considered similar in certain respects to those of Revolution Medicines. The analysis necessarily involves complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and operational characteristics of the companies involved and other factors that could affect the companies differently than would affect Revolution Medicines. The companies selected by MTS Securities were:
| Nuvalent, Inc. |
| Kymera Therapeutics, Inc. |
| Ambrx Biopharma, Inc. |
| Relay Therapeutics, Inc. |
| Bicycle Therapeutics plc |
| Nurix Therapeutics, Inc. |
| Acrivon Therapeutics, Inc. |
| IGM Biosciences, Inc. |
| Repare Therapeutics, Inc. |
Although none of the selected companies is directly comparable to Revolution Medicines, MTS Securities included these companies in its analysis because they are publicly traded companies with certain characteristics
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that, for purposes of analysis, may be considered similar to certain characteristics of Revolution Medicines. MTS Securities derived the enterprise value for the selected companies, as of July 28, 2023, by multiplying the closing price per share of common stock of such company on such date by the number of such companys fully diluted outstanding shares, using the treasury stock method, and adding to that result such companys debt and deducting from that result such companys total cash and cash equivalents. The table below shows the enterprise values derived for each comparable company as of July 28, 2023:
Publicly Traded Comparable Companies |
Enterprise Value (millions) |
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