Aphria Inc. , a leading global cannabis-lifestyle consumer packaged goods company, is pleased to announce that both Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS“) and Glass Lewis and Co., LLC (“Glass Lewis“) have recommended that holders (the “Shareholders“) of common shares (the “Shares“) of Aphria vote FOR the special resolution (the “Aphria Resolution“) approving the previously announced arrangement (the “Arrangement“) to be completed pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) pursuant to which, among other things, Tilray, Inc. (“Tilray“, and following the Arrangement, the “Combined Company“) will acquire all of the outstanding Shares of Aphria and the Shareholders will become holders of shares of Tilray (“Tilray Shares“). ISS and Glass Lewis are leading independent proxy advisory firms that provide voting recommendations to institutional shareholders.
Favourable ISS and Glass Lewis Recommendations
In reaching its conclusion, ISS noted:
“The strategic rationale appears sound as the proposed transaction will improve the scale and footprint of the combined entity. Importantly, the combined company is anticipated to deliver US$78 million (C$100 million) of pre-tax cost synergies across several areas including cultivation and production, product purchasing, sales and marketing, and corporate expenses within 24 months of closing. Based on the pro forma revenues of each company for the trailing twelve-month period prior to the announcement, the combined company will become the world’s largest cannabis company, with a large foothold to grow in a number of markets including the United States, Canada, and throughout Europe. The operations of the combined company in Europe should provide a unique combination of in-country cultivation and distribution licenses as well as the capability to export medical cannabis products within the EU on a tariff-free basis…Finally, the strong performance of APHA and TLRY shares on an absolute basis and relative to peers since the announcement may underpin the notion that the purported synergies and benefits to the transaction are achievable. As such, support for the proposed transaction is warranted.”
In reaching its conclusion, Glass Lewis noted:
“Having conducted an independent review of the transaction structure and the terms underlying the proposed arrangement, including the financial and valuation implications of the combination, we believe the all-stock merger is structured in a fair and reasonable manner that enables Aphria to effectively acquire Tilray. The proposed exchange ratio implies a standard market premium to Tilray’s unaffected stock price as the acquisition target, but inversely also implies a premium to Aphria’s share price during the months preceding the merger announcement…. Therefore, we are of the view that the transaction represents a favorable risk/reward for Aphria shareholders, given the strategic rationale provided by the board and the value-creation opportunities associated with the transaction. Based on these factors, along with the unanimous support of the board, we believe the proposed transaction is in the best interests of shareholders.”
Special Meeting of Shareholders
The special meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting“) will take place via live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/APHA2021 on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 4:00 pm (Eastern time).
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTATANT – PLEASE VOTE TODAY
The proxy voting deadline is 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on Monday April 12, 2021
The board of directors of Aphria unanimously recommends that Shareholders vote FOR the Aphria Resolution
How to Vote
Your vote is important regardless of the number of Shares you own. Registered and beneficial Shareholders may vote using the following methods:
If you hold your Shares through an intermediary, please follow the instructions on the voting instruction form provided by such intermediary to ensure that your vote is counted at the Meeting.
Shareholder Questions
If you have questions or need more information about the Arrangement, please contact Aphria’s shareholder communications advisor and proxy solicitation agent, Laurel Hill Advisory Group, by telephone at 1-877-452-7184 toll-free in Canada or 416-304-0211 for international calls or by e-mail at assistance@laurelhill.com.
We Have A Good Thing Growing
About Aphria Inc.
Aphria Inc. is a leading global cannabis-lifestyle consumer packaged goods company with operations in Canada, United States, Europe and Latin America, that is changing people’s lives for the better – one person at a time – by inspiring and empowering the worldwide community to live their very best life by providing them with products that meet the needs of their mind, body and soul and invoke a sense of wellbeing. Aphria’s mission is to be the trusted partner for its patients and consumers by providing them with a cultivated experience and health and wellbeing through high-quality, differentiated brands and innovative products. Headquartered in Leamington, Ontario, Aphria cultivates, processes, markets and sells medical and adult-use cannabis, cannabis-derived extracts and derivative cannabis products in Canada under the provisions of the Cannabis Act and globally pursuant to applicable international regulations. Aphria also manufactures, markets and sells alcoholic beverages in the United States. For more information, visit: aphriainc.com.
Additional Information About the Transaction and Where to Find It
This news release is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. This release is being made in respect of the proposed Arrangement involving Aphria and Tilray pursuant to the terms of an Arrangement Agreement and may be deemed to be soliciting material relating to the proposed Arrangement.
In connection with the Arrangement, Aphria and Tilray have filed a joint proxy statement/management information circular (the “Circular“) containing important information about the Arrangement and related matters. The Circular has been made available by Aphria on its SEDAR profile and is available on EGDAR. Additionally, Aphria will file other relevant materials in connection with the Arrangement with the applicable securities regulatory authorities. Investors and security holders of Aphria are urged to carefully read the entire Circular (including any amendments or supplements to such documents), respectively, before making any voting decision with respect to the Aphria Resolution because they contain important information about the Arrangement and the parties to the Arrangement. The Circular has been mailed to Shareholders and is accessible on Aphria’s SEDAR and EDGAR profile.
Investors and security holders of Aphria are able to obtain a free copy of the Circular, as well as other relevant filings containing information about Aphria and the Arrangement, including materials incorporated by reference into the Circular, without charge, under Aphria’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or from Aphria by contacting Aphria’s investor relations at investors@aphria.com.