# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0002108979
**File Stem:** 0000950142-26-001371
**Filing Date:** 2026-5
**Character Count:** 22497
**Document Hash:** 47d2bdbdcbe7f2512249d63d1cef3b4b
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0000950142-26-001371.hdr.sgml**: 20260514

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0000950142-26-001371

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: SC TO-C

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 4

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260513

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260514

**GROUP MEMBERS**: ZARA MERGER SUB INC.

**GROUP MEMBERS**: ZYDUS LIFESCIENCES LTD.

**GROUP MEMBERS**: ZYDUS WORLDWIDE DMCC

**SUBJECT COMPANY**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Assertio Holdings, Inc.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001808665
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 03 Life Sciences
- **EIN:** 850598378
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** SC TO-C
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 005-91515
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26976039

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 100 S. SAUNDERS ROAD
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 300
- **CITY:** LAKE FOREST
- **STATE:** IL
- **ZIP:** 60045
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** (224) 419-7106

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 100 S. SAUNDERS ROAD
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 300
- **CITY:** LAKE FOREST
- **STATE:** IL
- **ZIP:** 60045
**FILED BY**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Zydus Lifesciences Ltd.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0002108979

**ORGANIZATION NAME:**
- **EIN:** 000000000
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** K7
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** SC TO-C

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **ADDRESS IS A NON US LOCATION:** YES
- **STREET 1:** ZYDUS CORPORATE PARK SCHEME NO. 63
- **STREET 2:** SARKHEJ-GANDHINAGAR HWY
- **CITY:** AHMEDABAD
- **NON US STATE TERRITORY:** GUJARAT
- **PROVINCE COUNTRY:** K7
- **ZIP:** 384481
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 8779938799

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **ADDRESS IS A NON US LOCATION:** YES
- **STREET 1:** SCHEME NO. 63, SURVEY NO. 536
- **STREET 2:** SARKHEJ-GANDHINAGAR HWY.
- **CITY:** AHMEDABAD
- **NON US STATE TERRITORY:** GUJARAT
- **PROVINCE COUNTRY:** K7
- **ZIP:** 384481

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**Washington, D.C. 20549**

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**SCHEDULE TO**

**Tender Offer Statement under Section 14(d)(1) or 13(e)(1)**

**of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934**

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**Assertio Holdings, Inc.**

**(Name of Subject Company (Issuer))**

**Zara Merger Sub Inc.**

**(Name of Filing Persons (Offeror))**

**A wholly owned subsidiary of**

**Zydus Worldwide DMCC**

**(Parent of Offeror)**

**A wholly owned subsidiary of**

**Zydus Lifesciences Ltd.**

**(Parent of Offeror)**

**(Name of Filing Persons (identifying status as offeror, issuer or other person))**

**Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share**

**(Title of Class of Securities)**

**04546C304**

**(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)**

**Mukund Thakkar**

**Zydus Lifesciences Ltd.**

**Senior Vice President-Legal**

**Zydus Corporate Park, Scheme No. 63, Survey No. 536**

**Khoraj (Gandhinagar), Near Vaishnodevi Circle** 

**Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway**

**Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481**

**+91-079-71800000**

**(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications on Behalf of Filing Persons)**

------

***Copies to:***

**Krishna Veeraraghavan, Esq.**

**Chelsea Darnell, Esq.**

**Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP**

**1285 Avenue of the Americas** 

**New York, NY 10019**

**(212) 373-3000**

**(Name, address, and telephone numbers of person authorized to receive notices and communications on behalf of filing persons)**

☒ Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of a tender offer.

Check the appropriate boxes below to designate any transactions to which the statement relates:

☒ third-party tender offer subject to Rule 14d-1.

☐ issuer tender offer subject to Rule 13e-4.

☐ going private transaction subject to Rule 13e-3

☐ amendment to Schedule 13D under Rule 13d-2

Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results of the tender offer: ☐

If applicable, check the appropriate box(es) below to designate the appropriate rule provision(s) relied upon:

☐ Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer) <br> ☐ Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)

This filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of a planned tender offer (the "**Tender Offer**") by Zara Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "**Purchaser**") and a wholly owned subsidiary of Zydus Worldwide DMCC, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the United Arab Emirates ("**Parent**") and a wholly owned subsidiary of Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., an Indian corporation ("**Zydus**"), to purchase all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the "**Shares**"), of Assertio Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "**Company**"), at a price equal to $23.50 per Share, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest.

Parent and Zydus are being named as bidders herein because each is deemed to control the Purchaser, but otherwise is not participating in the Tender Offer.

The tender offer described in this communication has not yet commenced. This communication is for information purposes only and is neither an offer to buy nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities of the Company, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials that Zydus, Parent and Purchaser will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The solicitation and the offer to buy shares of the Company's common stock will only be made pursuant to a tender offer statement on Schedule TO, including an offer to purchase, a letter of transmittal and other related materials that Zydus, Parent and Purchaser intend to file with the SEC. In addition, the Company will file with the SEC a Solicitation/ Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 with respect to the tender offer.

Once filed, investors will be able to obtain the tender offer statement on Schedule TO, the offer to purchase, the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement of the Company on Schedule 14D-9 and related materials with respect to the tender offer and merger, free of charge at the website of the SEC at www.sec.gov or from the information agent named in the tender offer materials. Investors may also obtain, at no charge, the documents filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Company under the "Investors" section of the Company's website at www.assertiotx.com.

**STOCKHOLDERS AND INVESTORS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO READ THESE DOCUMENTS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, INCLUDING THE SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT OF ASSERTIO ON SCHEDULE 14D-9 AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE TENDER OFFER AND THE MERGER THAT ARE FILED WITH THE SEC, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY PRIOR TO MAKING ANY DECISIONS WITH RESPECT TO WHETHER TO TENDER THEIR SHARES INTO THE TENDER OFFER BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE TENDER OFFER.**

**Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements**

This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future plans, trends, events, results of operations or financial condition, or otherwise, based on current beliefs. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as predictions of future events, as there can be no assurance that the events or circumstances reflected in these statements will be achieved or will occur.

In particular, this communication includes forward-looking statements regarding the Company, the proposed tender offer by Purchaser to acquire all outstanding shares of the Company's common stock and the subsequent merger pursuant to which the Company would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Zydus and Parent, including, without limitation, statements regarding the expected timing and completion of these transactions and the parties' ability to satisfy the conditions to consummation.

Forward-looking statements can often, but not always, be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "intend," "may," "might," "opportunity," "plan," "potential," "project," "seek," "should," "strategy," "target," "will," or the negative of these words and phrases, other variations of these words and phrases or comparable terminology.

These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the parties' control and subject to change. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others: risks associated with the timing of the closing of the proposed transaction, including the risks that a condition to closing would not be satisfied within the expected timeframe or at all or that the closing of the proposed transaction; uncertainties as to how many of the Company's stockholders will tender their shares in the offer; the possibility that competing offers will be made; the possibility that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the transaction; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the parties and others related to the transaction; the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed transaction on the Company's business and operating results (including the response of business partners and competitors and potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the announcement and pendency of the proposed transaction); and other risks and uncertainties identified in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings. Many of these risks and uncertainties may be exacerbated by public health emergencies and general macroeconomic conditions.

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this communication. Zydus, Parent and Purchaser do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

**Item 12. Exhibits.**

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit**<br> **Number** | <br> **Description** |
| 99.1 | [Press Release issued by Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. on May 13, 2026.](eh260779375_ex9901.htm) |

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## Exhibit 99.1

**EXHIBIT 99.1**

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**Zydus and Assertio Holdings enter into an agreement for Zydus to acquire Assertio** 

**in all-cash tender offer**

*Assertio is focused on specialty and oncology supportive-care therapies*

 

*Ahmedabad, India, 13 May 2026*

<br> Zydus Lifesciences Limited ("**Company**"), an innovation-led global lifesciences company, today announced that Zydus Worldwide DMCC ("**Zydus Worldwide**") , a subsidiary of the Company has signed a definitive agreement, through its wholly owned acquisition subsidiary Zara Merger Sub Inc., ("**Zara**") (Zydus Worldwide, Zara and the Company are collectively referred to as "**Zydus**") with Assertio Holdings, Inc. a U.S.-based pharmaceutical company focused on specialty and oncology supportive-care therapies (NASDAQ: ASRT) ("**Assertio**"), to acquire all outstanding shares of Assertio for USD 23.50 per share in cash, representing total consideration of approximately USD 166.4 million on a fully-diluted basis, calculated using the treasury stock method.

The acquisition provides Zydus with an established U.S. specialty oncology commercial platform, anchored by Assertio's presence in oncology supportive care. Assertio's portfolio includes ROLVEDON<sup>®</sup> (eflapegrastim-xnst), approved as a BLA by USFDA for long-acting G-CSF biologic for the prevention of febrile neutropenia in adult cancer patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. ROLVEDON<sup>®</sup> is administered once per chemotherapy cycle in the oncology supportive-care market. Zydus intends to leverage Assertio's focused commercial infrastructure and oncology relationships to build and expand its specialty oncology presence in the U.S.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Zydus will commence a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Assertio common stock. The transaction is structured as a tender offer to be followed by a merger, subject to customary closing conditions, including the tender of shares representing at least a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of Assertio common stock. Following the successful completion of the tender offer, Zydus will acquire all remaining shares not tendered in the tender offer through a second-step merger at the same price paid in the tender offer.

The tender offer is expected to commence within five business days following the date of the merger agreement. The transaction is expected to close in the financial year 2026-27, subject to satisfaction of all closing conditions.

Speaking on the development, Dr. Sharvil P. Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences Limited, said, "This transaction represents a strategic step in strengthening our specialty and oncology footprint in the U.S. Assertio brings a focused commercial platform and an approved oncology asset that aligns well with our long-term strategy of building differentiated, durable specialty businesses globally."

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Paul Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is serving legal counsel to Zydus. Moelis & Company LLC is serving as financial advisor to Assertio and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is serving as its legal counsel.

**About Zydus Lifesciences Limited**

Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., with an overarching purpose of empowering people with freedom to live healthier and more fulfilled lives, is an innovative, global lifesciences company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets a broad range of healthcare therapies. The group employs over 29,000 people worldwide, including 1,500 scientists engaged in R&D, and is driven by its mission to unlock new possibilities in lifesciences through quality healthcare solutions that impact lives. The group aspires to transform lives through pathbreaking discoveries. Over the last decade, Zydus has introduced several innovative, first-in-class products in the market to address unmet healthcare needs with vaccines, therapeutics, biologicals, and New Chemical Entities. For more details, visit www.zyduslife.com.

**About Assertio Holdings, Inc.**

Assertio is a pharmaceutical company with comprehensive commercial capabilities offering differentiated products designed to address patients' needs. Our focus is on supporting patients by marketing products primarily in the oncology market. To learn more about Assertio, visit www.assertiotx.com.

**Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements**

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding Zydus' proposed acquisition of Assertio, including statements regarding the prospective benefits of the proposed transaction, the anticipated occurrence, manner and timing of the proposed tender offer and the closing of the proposed acquisition, and Assertio's products and commercial platform. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future plans, trends, events, results of operations or financial condition, or otherwise, based on current beliefs. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as predictions of future events, as there can be no assurance that the events or circumstances reflected in these statements will be achieved or will occur.

Forward-looking statements can often, but not always, be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "intend," "may," "might," "opportunity," "plan," "potential," "project," "seek," "should," "strategy," "target," "will," or the negative of these words and phrases, other variations of these words and phrases or comparable terminology.

Forward-looking statements reflect current beliefs and expectations; however, these statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including with respect to: (i) risks associated with the timing of the closing of the proposed transaction, including the risk that the proposed transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all; (ii) uncertainties as to how many of Assertio's stockholders will tender their shares in the

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tender offer; (iii) the possibility that competing offers or acquisition proposals for Assertio will be made; (iv) the possibility that any or all of the various conditions to the consummation of the tender offer may not be satisfied or waived, including the failure to receive any required regulatory approvals; (v) the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with the proposed transaction may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; (vi) the possibility of business disruptions due to transaction-related uncertainty or the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; (vii) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed transaction on the Company's business and operating results, including the response of business partners and competitors and potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the announcement and pendency of the proposed transaction; (viii) risks related to the diverting of management's attention from the Company's ongoing business operations; (ix) general economic and market conditions; and (x) other factors as set forth from time to time in Assertio's filings with the SEC, including its Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as the tender offer statement, solicitation/recommendation statement and other tender offer documents that will be filed by Zydus and Assertio, as applicable.

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially due to various factors, risks and uncertainties. Neither Zydus nor Assertio assumes any obligation to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments, except as required by law.This press release does not constitute an offer to buy or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. The solicitation and the offer to buy shares of Assertio's common stock will only be made pursuant to the tender offer materials described above under "Additional Information and Where to Find It."

**Additional Information and Where to Find It**

This press release does not constitute an offer to buy or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. The solicitation and the offer to buy shares of Assertio's common stock will only be made pursuant to the tender offer materials described above under "Additional Information and Where to Find It."

The tender offer for the outstanding shares of Assertio common stock described in this communication has not yet commenced. This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities of Assertio, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials that Zydus and its wholly owned acquisition subsidiary, Zara Merger Sub, Inc. ("Merger Sub"), will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") upon commencement of the tender offer. A solicitation and offer to buy shares of Assertio's common stock will only be made pursuant to a tender offer statement on Schedule TO, including an offer to purchase, a letter of transmittal and other related materials that Zydus and Merger Sub intend to file with the SEC. In addition, Assertio will file with the SEC a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 with respect to the tender offer.

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THE TENDER OFFER MATERIALS (INCLUDING AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, A RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTAIN OTHER TENDER OFFER DOCUMENTS) AND THE SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF ASSERTIO ARE URGED TO READ THESE DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE (AND EACH AS IT MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME) BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF ASSERTIO SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION REGARDING TENDERING THEIR SHARES OF COMMON STOCK IN THE TENDER OFFER.

The tender offer materials and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement will be made available to all stockholders of Assertio at no expense to them. Once filed, investors will be able to obtain these documents, free of charge, at the website of the SEC at www.sec.gov or from the information agent named in the tender offer materials. Investors may also obtain, at no charge, the documents filed with or furnished to the SEC by Assertio under the "Investors" section of Assertio's website at www.assertiotx.com. In addition to the tender offer materials and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement, Zydus and Assertio file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read any reports, statements or other information filed by Assertio with the SEC for free on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

**Contacts**

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Media** | **Investors** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sujatha Rajesh<br> Email: <u>sujatha.rajesh@zyduslife.com</u><br> Mobile: 9974051180 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Arvind Bothra<br> Email: <u>arvind.bothra@zyduslife.com</u><br> Mobile: 9833853107 |

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