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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] Huons is facing mounting backlash from minority shareholders of its holding company Huons Global following its decision to merge with affiliate Huons Lab.
According to regulatory filings on May 27, Huons plans to absorb Huons Lab by issuing approximately 3.83 million new shares to Huons Lab shareholders in lieu of cash. The merger ratio has been set at 1:0.4256893, with Huons remaining as the surviving entity. A detailed securities filing, expected to outline Huons Lab’s pipeline and valuation basis, has yet to be disclosed.
The move has triggered strong opposition from Huons Global minority shareholders, who argue that transferring a high-growth biotech asset from the holding company to the operating company could undermine shareholder value. Diverging stock price movements between Huons and Huons Global following the announcement have reinforced market concerns.
Some observers have raised the possibility that the merger could be linked to succession planning within the controlling shareholder family, suggesting that a decline in Huons Global’s valuation could reduce future ownership transfer costs. The company, however, denied any such intent, stating there are no current plans for share transfers.
Huons Global maintains that the merger is aimed at strengthening R&D capabilities and responding to government drug pricing reforms. It added that Huons, with stronger financial resources and commercialization capabilities, is better suited to lead the integration and accelerate the commercialization of Huons Lab’s technologies.
Despite these explanations, minority shareholders continue to oppose the deal, citing concerns over governance and the shift of growth assets away from the holding company structure.
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
