NBTY Acquired by Carlyle Group

NBTY, Inc. (NYSE: NTY), a leading global manufacturer and marketer of nutritional supplements, today announced the execution of a definitive merger agreement under which The Carlyle Group will acquire NBTY in a transaction valued at $3.8 billion. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Carlyle will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of NBTY for $55.00 per share in cash, representing a premium of approximately 57% over NBTY's average closing share price during the 30 trading days ended July 14, 2010.

The board of directors of NBTY has unanimously approved the merger agreement and recommended that NBTY's stockholders adopt the agreement with Carlyle. A special meeting of NBTY's stockholders will be held as soon as practicable after the preparation and filing of a proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission and subsequent mailing to shareholders. The mailing of the proxy statement is expected to take place following the expiration of the 35 calendar day period following the date of the merger agreement, during the course of which NBTY is permitted to solicit alternative proposals from third parties. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2010.

Original source: NBTY