Complete Genomics to be acquired by BGI-Shenzhen for $117.6 million

Complete Genomics, Inc. , an innovative leader in whole human genomic sequencing, and BGI-Shenzhen , Chinese  genomics company based in Shenzhen, China, today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement. Through this agreement, a wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of BGI will launch a tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock of Complete for $3.15 per share in cash, without interest. This price represents approximately a 54% premium to the $2.04 closing price per share of Complete common stock on June 4, 2012, the last trading day prior to Complete’s announcement that it was undertaking an evaluation of strategic alternatives to secure the financial resources needed for continued commercialization of its technology.

Complete’s board of directors has unanimously recommended that stockholders accept the offer and tender their shares. Based on the number of fully diluted outstanding shares of Complete, the aggregate value of the transaction is approximately $117.6 million. In addition, Complete and an affiliate of BGI have entered into an agreement pursuant to which Complete will be provided with up to $30 million in bridge financing for its operations following the signing of the merger agreement.

Complete provides whole human genome sequencing, which is used by research centers to conduct medical research that, in the future, is expected to be used by doctors and hospitals to improve both prevention and treatment of disease. BGI operates international genome sequencing centers, which support genetic research into agriculture, animals and humans and serve researchers around the world including the United States. The combination of the two companies is expected to bring together complementary scientific and technological expertise and R&D capabilities. Complete will continue to be operated as a separate company with headquarters and operations remaining in Mountain View, California.

BGI’s CEO Dr. Wang Jun said, “Complete has developed a proprietary whole human genome sequencing technology that, together with other sequencing platforms used by BGI, will fit well with our research and business requirements and position Complete to become an even more successful global innovator. We look forward to growing the business to improve medical research and, when clinical services are provided, support better disease diagnosis with tools that can be used by doctors and hospitals to treat their patients.”

“With the assistance of our advisors, we engaged in a thorough review of a broad set of possible alternatives for the company, and we believe the transaction with BGI represents the best outcome for our stockholders, offering them liquidity and a premium value,” said Dr. Clifford Reid, chairman and CEO of Complete. “In addition, it offers a great outcome for our customers, present and future. The combination of the companies’ resources provides an opportunity to accelerate our vision of providing researchers and physicians with the genomic information needed to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancers and other genetic diseases.”

Under the terms of the definitive merger agreement, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BGI will commence a tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Complete common stock for $3.15 per share in cash, without interest, within seven business days and the tender offer will remain open for a minimum of 20 business days following the commencement. All of Complete’s directors and executive officers as well as certain other major stockholders, who collectively own approximately 17.5% of the outstanding common stock of Complete, have entered into a tender and support agreement and have agreed to tender all of their shares pursuant to the tender offer.  The transaction is expected to be completed in early 2013.

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