PARSIPPANY, N.J. & UNION CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS) and Abaxis, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABAX) today announced the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”), in connection with Zoetis’ previously-announced acquisition of Abaxis for US $83.00 per share in cash, or approximately $2.0 billion in aggregate.

The expiration of the waiting period under the HSR Act satisfies one of the conditions necessary for the consummation of the transaction. The transaction is subject to other customary closing conditions, including the approval of Abaxis shareholders. Abaxis shareholders will vote on the transaction at a special meeting of shareholders currently scheduled to be held on July 31, 2018. Zoetis expects to complete the acquisition shortly after the Abaxis special meeting if all of the conditions to closing are then satisfied, and it intends to fund the purchase through a combination of existing cash and new debt.

About Zoetis

Zoetis is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on more than 60 years of experience in animal health, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostic products, genetic tests, biodevices and a range of services. Zoetis serves veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals with sales of its products in more than 100 countries. In 2017, the company generated annual revenue of $5.3 billion with approximately 9,000 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.

About Abaxis

Abaxis is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of portable blood analysis systems that are used in a broad range of medical specialties in human or veterinary patient care to provide clinicians with rapid blood constituent measurements. Abaxis’s mission is to improve the efficiency of care delivery to and the quality of life of patients in the medical and veterinary markets. Abaxis provides leading edge technology and tools that support best medical practices, enabling physicians and veterinarians to respond to the health needs of their clients at the point of care while operating economical and profitable practices. For more information, visit http://www.abaxis.com.