NexMed, Inc. (Nasdaq: NEXM), a developer of products based on the NexACT® technology, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bio-Quant, Inc., a revenue generating privately-held leading research organization for in vitro and in vivo contract drug discovery and pre-clinical development services, headquartered in San Diego, CA. Upon closing of the transaction, which is expected before the end of the year, Bio-Quant will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of NexMed. Bassam Damaj, Ph.D., co-founder, current Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of Bio-Quant, will become Chief Executive Officer of NexMed, replacing Vivian Liu, who will transition to the role of Executive Vice President and, in that capacity, Ms. Liu will continue to be responsible for leading the business development and licensing efforts for NexMed’s clinical programs. Mark Westgate will remain as NexMed’s Chief Financial Officer. The Board will be composed of three Bio-Quant nominees and four NexMed nominees, and Ms. Liu is expected to be appointed as Chairman of the Board.
The agreement provides for NexMed’s issuance of 4,000,000 unregistered shares of its common stock to the Bio-Quant shareholders and a promissory note (the “Note”) in the amount of approximately $12.1 million due on December 31, 2010. NexMed can elect to pay all or any portion of the Note by issuing its common stock. Such repayment in common stock is contingent upon NexMed shareholder approval. As a condition to closing, there will be a Bio-Quant shareholders meeting. Certain key shareholders of Bio-Quant have agreed to vote in favor of the transaction.