Assertio Therapeutics, Inc. ("Assertio" or "the Company") and Zyla Life Sciences ("Zyla") announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement (the "Agreement"). Under the terms of the Agreement, upon the effective time of the merger (the "Merger"), Zyla stockholders will be entitled to receive 2.5 shares of common stock of a newly-formed holding company for each share of Zyla common stock held and the newly combined company will retain the Assertio name and trade on Nasdaq under the ASRT ticker. The boards of directors of both companies have approved the Merger and the Agreement.

The Merger is currently expected to close in the second quarter of 2020, subject to approval by Assertio stockholders and by Zyla stockholders and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Arthur Higgins to become the non-executive chairman and Todd N. Smith to be named president and CEO of combined company.