6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of July 2007
Commission File Number 000-22286
Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
(Translation of registrants name into English)
14 Hakitor Street, Haifa Bay 26110, Israel
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form
20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F þ Form 40-F o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by
Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ___
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by
Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ___
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form
is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes o
No þ
If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection
with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
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July 15, 2007
Dr. Mark Mobius
Executive Chairman
Templeton Asset Management Limited
Dear Dr. Mobius:
I have received your letter of July 11th, the first page of which was faxed to
Taros Haifa facility and the full text of which was disclosed publicly in a filing made on July 12
by Franklin Resources, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
At the outset, although I take exception to all of your mischaracterizations of Taros efforts
to maximize value for its shareholders, creditors, employees and suppliers, this letter will not
address each of your statements. Instead, I want to focus on a few basic truths about Taros
situation and the proposed transaction with Sun.
Taro has not misled its shareholders, and Taro has not provided me, my
family or Sun with any improper information beyond that which is standard, customary and legally
permissible for public companies to provide to directors or to those persons who are subject to an
obligation of confidentiality. Your public statements suggesting otherwise are, as you know,
without any basis in fact, and are both libelous and actionable in a court of law. The Proxy
Statement contains all required material information for a shareholder to make an informed
decision. You have failed to allege any specific deficiencies in the Proxy Statement or Taros
disclosure because none exist.
I understand that Templeton like many of Taros shareholders (including me and my family)
has experienced a considerable decline in value on its investment in Taro. However, by
jeopardizing the Sun transaction and waging frivolous litigation against Taro, you are harming Taro
and its shareholders not helping them.
Templeton has held itself out as the protector of minority shareholder rights. You have
stated that Templeton has been fighting for minority rights protection and the improvement of
corporate governance... Reading these statements, Taro shareholders might think that Templeton
has been waging its ceaseless litigation battle as the champion of all shareholders. Let us be
honest in acknowledging that you seek to put Templetons interests above the interests of all other
shareholders.
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Templeton has filed endless motions, and stated numerous times in the press,
that it wants to declare the Sun private placement null and void. The reality is quite
different. What Templeton really wants is to benefit at the expense of other
shareholders. Templeton, and only Templeton, wants to enjoy what it sees as the
benefits of an investment in Taro at $6.00 per share. Thats why Templeton agreed to
drop the request for an injunction on May 21, 2007 and agreed to a reduction of the $45
million investment by Templetons proportionate amountand only Templetons
proportionate amountof the investment. Even worse, as the transcript of the May
21st court hearing shows, Templetons main goal was to participate alongside
Sun in the investmentnot to protect minority shareholders rights. |
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You or your representatives have stated or implied that Taro is worth far in
excess of $7.75 per share. In fact, one of your representatives threw out a value of
$18 per share. Lets go back to the facts: |
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The Sun merger price of $7.75 per share was the culmination of an
extensive and exhaustive process conducted by The Blackstone Group, our
independent financial advisor; |
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As opposed to providing a solution, Templeton initiated litigation that
threatened Taros access to the interim financing required to avoid bankruptcy;
and |
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Templeton has not found a single buyer at a better price than the Sun
merger. |
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In fact, your statements regarding your belief as to Taros value belie your actions
since your most recent SEC filing reveals that Templeton has been selling thousands of
Taro shares at prices well below $7.75 in the last month. On the one hand, Templeton
is trying to convince other Taro shareholders that Taro is worth significantly more
than $7.75 per share. On the other hand, Templeton has been selling shares in Taro at
prices lower than $7.75. |
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This past week, and after our Proxy Statement has been publicly available for
more than four weeks, Templeton has for the first time complained that the absence of
additional financial information makes it impossible for shareholders to make an
informed decision as to the attractiveness of the merger with Sun. The dwindling cash
balances and huge loss we disclosed in the Proxy Statement make clear the direness of
Taros situation. The Proxy Statement otherwise provides shareholders with enough
information to make an informed decision. Your use of this issue, without challenging
the underlying facts, is nothing more than a smokescreen. |
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Furthermore, under Israel law, as a shareholder of Taro, Templeton is required
to vote its shares of Taro at the meeting of Taros shareholders on July
23rd in good faith and in a fair manner. The failure to do so subjects
Templeton to claims for the damages it will cause, not only to our shareholders, but to
our creditors, employees, suppliers and all stakeholders. We intend to pursue all
remedies against Templeton for its actions. I call upon you to retract your statements
that you will vote against the Sun merger. The merger was and is the best alternative
for our shareholders and other constituencies. Our Board of Directors reaffirms its
recommendation that shareholders vote in favor of the merger. |
I would be happy to discuss any of these issues with you and warmly welcome your support for
the Sun merger.
Sincerely,
Barrie Levitt, M.D.
Chairman of the Board
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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TARO PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES LTD.
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By: |
/s/ Tal Levitt
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Name: |
Tal Levitt |
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Title: |
Director and Secretary |
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Date: July 16, 2007
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