Auxilium Pharmaceuticals to Merge with Canadian Biotechnology Company QLT

Auxilium Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AUXL), and QLT (NASDAQ: QLTI) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Auxilium plans to merge with QLT. The transaction is expected to drive shareholder value creation by accelerating Auxilium's ongoing transformation into a leading diversified North American specialty biopharmaceutical company. As a result of the merger, Auxilium expects to have an expanded corporate platform that includes focused investments in research and development and the continued pursuit of new products and M&A due to cost and tax synergies. The companies also intend to continue to pursue a potential partnering agreement for QLT's promising late-stage retinoid program. Under the terms of the agreement, a wholly-owned subsidiary of QLT will be merged with and into Auxilium. QLT will remain incorporated in British Columbia, Canada, and will be renamed "New Auxilium." Current shareholders of Auxilium will See full press release