Business combination ascribes Filament
US$176 million in equity value
representing US$0.85 per Filament
share and reflects a pro forma enterprise valuation of
approximately US$210 million;
combined company to be listed on Nasdaq
Transaction expected to accelerate the
progression of Filament's botanical psychedelic drug development
platform and is anticipated to close in fourth quarter 2023
VANCOUVER, BC and HOBE SOUND,
Fla., July 19, 2023 /CNW/ - Filament Health
Corp. (OTCQB: FLHLF) (NEO: FH) (FSE: 7QS) ("Filament"
or the "Company"), a clinical‐stage natural psychedelic drug
development company, and Jupiter Acquisition Corporation
(NASDAQ:JAQC) ("Jupiter"), a special purpose acquisition
company formed for the purpose of acquiring or merging with one of
more businesses, today announced they have entered into a
definitive agreement, dated July 18,
2023, for a proposed business combination (the "Business
Combination") to create a new public holding company
representing the combined business ("Pubco") that is expected to be
listed on Nasdaq.
"Today's announcement is an important milestone for Filament as
we gain access to the broader capital markets needed to advance our
drug development platform," said Mr. Lightburn. "Filament was
founded on the belief that standardized, naturally-derived
psychedelic medicines can improve the lives of millions of people
suffering from treatable conditions. Partnering with Jupiter brings
us a step closer to making this a reality. I would like to thank
all those involved in achieving this milestone, including Jupiter,
our existing and new investors, and the entire Filament team."
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to impact the
advancement of psychedelic medicines that will support the
treatment of mental health conditions through this combination with
Filament. Led by an exceptional management team, Filament is taking
a novel approach to psychedelic drug development through natural
botanical extracts," said Mr. James
Hauslein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Jupiter.
"We are excited by Filament's plans for its technology, and view
this opportunity as a significant value driver for our
stockholders."
The Business Combination
The proposed Business Combination reflects a pro forma
enterprise valuation of approximately US$210
million, based on certain assumptions. Consideration will be
100% in the form of shares in Pubco, and the proposed Business
Combination is expected to provide at least US$5 million of net proceeds to Pubco. The
proposed Business Combination reflects a pre-money equity value of
US$176 million for Filament and
provides the Filament shareholders and certain other parties a
contingent right to receive additional Pubco shares based upon
post-closing stock performance. At the closing of the proposed
Business Combination, the holders of outstanding Filament shares
will receive equity in Pubco valued at US$0.85 per share (subject to adjustments).
Under the terms of the proposed Business Combination, Jupiter
will merge with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pubco, and
Filament will, pursuant to a statutory plan of arrangement (the
"Plan of Arrangement") under the Business Corporations
Act (British Columbia),
amalgamate with another wholly-owned subsidiary of Pubco. In
addition, pursuant to the proposed Business Combination, the
holders of Filament convertible securities will have their
convertible securities assumed by Pubco at closing in accordance
with the terms of the Plan of Arrangement.
The Board of Directors of Jupiter has unanimously approved the
proposed Business Combination.
The Board of Directors of Filament, having received a unanimous
recommendation from the special committee of the Board of Directors
(the "Filament Special Committee") in favour of the proposed
Business Combination, has determined that the proposed Business
Combination is in the best interests of Filament, and resolved to
recommend that Filament securityholders vote in favour of the
proposed Business Combination (with Mr. Lightburn declaring his
interest in the Business Combination and abstaining from the vote
of the Board of Directors of Filament).
Evans & Evans, Inc. was appointed as an independent
financial advisor to the Filament Special Committee, and provided a
fairness opinion to the Filament Special Committee stating that, as
of the date of such opinion, and based upon and subject to the
assumptions, limitations, and qualifications stated in such
opinion, the Business Combination and the consideration payable
thereunder is fair from a financial point of view to Filament
shareholders.
The proposed Business Combination is subject to customary
closing conditions, including receipt of all regulatory approvals,
court orders from the Supreme Court of British Columbia with respect to the Plan of
Arrangement, and the approval of the proposed Business Combination
by Filament's securityholders and Jupiter's stockholders. The
consummation of the proposed Business Combination is anticipated to
occur in the 4th quarter of 2023.
Maxim Group LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor to
Filament. Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP is acting as Canadian legal
advisor and Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP is acting as U.S.
legal advisor to Filament. Harper Grey LLP is acting as Canadian
legal advisor and Greenberg Traurig, LLP is acting as U.S. legal
advisor to Jupiter.
Filament directors and management (the "Supporting
Securityholders") have entered into agreements pursuant to
which they have committed to vote their respective shares in favour
of the proposed Business Combination. The Supporting
Securityholders represent in aggregate approximately 42.8% of the
outstanding common shares.
The Pubco shares to be issued under the Plan of Arrangement
component of the proposed Business Combination to holders resident
in the United States have not been
registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the
"Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold in
the United States absent
registration or applicable exemption from registration
requirements. It is anticipated that any securities to be issued
under the Plan of Arrangement component of the proposed Business
Combination either will be offered and issued in reliance upon the
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act
provided by Section 3(a)(10) thereof or will be registered under
the Securities Act on Form F-4 (the "Registration
Statement") to be filed by Pubco with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
ABOUT FILAMENT HEALTH CORP
(OTCQB:FLHLF) (NEO:FH) (FSE:7QS)
Filament is a natural psychedelic drug development company
focused on the treatment of substance use disorders. Filament's
proprietary technology platform enables the discovery and delivery
of botanical psychedelic medicines for clinical development. The
Company is currently generating revenue by out-licensing its lead
drug candidate, PEX010, to commercial partners. PEX010 is
standardized to provide a precise dose of botanical psilocybin per
oral capsule, and is currently being administered in phase 1 and 2
human clinical trials approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration
("FDA") and Health Canada. It is currently being studied in
15 clinical trials in North
America and Europe via
Filament's network of academic and research institutions for
conditions including alcohol use disorder, treatment resistant
depression, opioid tapering, and chronic pain. All of the trials
are being conducted under the authorization of the applicable
governing authority, including, but not limited to, the FDA, Health
Canada and European Medicines Agency. The Company believes that, as
a botanical drug, PEX010 offers intellectual property benefits
versus synthetic drugs due to its complex active pharmaceutical
ingredient, as well as a more rapid path into clinical development.
Filament is actively pursuing early access schemes around the world
and has supplied dozens of Canadian patients via the Health Canada
Special Access Program.
Learn more at www.filament.health and on Twitter,
Instagram, and LinkedIn.
ABOUT JUPITER ACQUISITION
CORPORATION (NASDAQ:JAQC)
Jupiter operates as a blank check company. Jupiter aims to
acquire one or more businesses and assets, via a merger, capital
stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, and
reorganization.
Important Information About the
Proposed Business Combination and Where to Find It
This communication relates to the proposed Business Combination
involving Jupiter and Filament. This communication may be deemed to
be solicitation material in respect of the proposed Business
Combination. The proposed Business Combination will be submitted to
Jupiter's stockholders for their consideration and approval. Pubco
intends to file the Registration Statement with the SEC, which will
include a proxy statement to be distributed to Jupiter's
stockholders in connection with Jupiter's solicitation for proxies
for the vote by Jupiter's stockholders to approve the proposed
Business Combination and other matters as described in the
Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus relating to the
offer of the securities to be issued by Pubco in connection
with the completion of the Business Combination. Jupiter and Pubco
also intend to file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding
the proposed Business Combination. After the Registration Statement
has been filed and declared effective, Jupiter will mail a
definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents to its
stockholders as of the record date established for voting on the
Business Combination. The proposed Business Combination will also
be submitted to the securityholders of Filament for their
consideration and approval. Filament intends to file a management
information circular in connection with the requisite special
meeting of the Filament securityholders (the "Filament
Circular") with respect to the proposed Business Combination
and other matters as described in the Filament Circular. The Plan
of Arrangement will require the approval of (i) at least 66⅔% of
the votes cast by Filament securityholders, voting as a single
class; (ii) at least 66⅔% of the votes cast by Filament
shareholders, voting as a single class; and (iii) a majority of the
votes cast by Filament shareholders present in person or
represented by proxy at the Filament special meeting. Filament also
intends to seek an interim order (the "Interim Order") and a
final order at hearings in the Supreme Court of British Columbia in order to implement the
Plan of Arrangement component of the proposed Business Combination.
After the Filament Circular has been reviewed by the NEO Exchange
and after the Interim Order has been granted, Filament will mail
the definitive Filament Circular and other relevant documents to
its securityholders as of the record date established for voting on
the proposed Business Combination. JUPITER'S STOCKHOLDERS AND OTHER
INTERESTED PERSONS ARE ADVISED TO READ, ONCE AVAILABLE, THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PRELIMINARY PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO AND, ONCE
AVAILABLE, THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION
WITH JUPITER'S SOLICITATION OF PROXIES FOR ITS SPECIAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD TO APPROVE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE
BUSINESS COMBINATION, BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT JUPITER, FILAMENT, PUBCO AND THE
PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION.
Jupiter's stockholders, Filament's shareholders and other
interested parties may also obtain a copy of: (a) the Registration
Statement, any amendments or supplements thereto and the
preliminary or definitive proxy statement, once available, as well
as other documents filed with the SEC regarding the proposed
Business Combination and other documents filed with the SEC by
Jupiter or Pubco, without charge, at the SEC's website located at
www.sec.gov; and (b) copies of the Filament Circular, the Business
Combination Agreement and other documents filed with the Canadian
securities regulatory authorities by Filament through the website
maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators at
www.sedar.com.
INVESTMENT IN ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAS NOT BEEN
APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY OTHER REGULATORY
AUTHORITY, NOR HAS ANY AUTHORITY PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS
OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION PURSUANT TO WHICH ANY SECURITIES ARE TO
BE OFFERED OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
Forward-Looking
Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements may be identified by the use of words such as
"estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "will,"
"expect," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "continue," "may,"
"might," "outlook," "possible," "potential," "predict,"
"scheduled," "should," "would." "seek," "target" or other similar
expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or
that are not statements of historical matters, but the absence of
these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including
statements concerning possible or assumed future actions, business
strategies, events or results of operations, and any statements
that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of
future events or circumstances, including any underlying
assumptions, are forward-looking statements. These statements are
based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this
press release, and on the current beliefs and expectations of
Filament's, Pubco's and Jupiter's management and are not
predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements
are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to
serve as and must not be relied on by any investor as a guarantee,
an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or
probability. Although Jupiter and Filament believe that their
respective plans, intentions, and expectations reflected in or
suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable,
neither Jupiter nor Filament can assure you that either will
achieve or realize these plans, intentions, or expectations. Actual
events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and
will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances
are beyond the control of Filament, Pubco and Jupiter. These
forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties, including (i) the occurrence of any event, change or
other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the
proposed Business Combination; (ii) the failure of either Jupiter
or Filament prior to the proposed Business Combination, or Pubco
after the proposed Business Combination, to execute their business
strategy; (iii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be
instituted against Filament, Pubco or Jupiter or others following
the announcement of the proposed Business Combination; (iv) the
inability to complete the proposed Business Combination due to the
failure to obtain the necessary Interim Order or other required
court orders in respect of the Plan of Arrangement in with respect
to the proposed Business Combination or the failure to obtain the
approval of the shareholders of Filament or Jupiter or to satisfy
other conditions to closing; (v) changes to the proposed structure
of the proposed Business Combination that may be required or
appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations or as a
condition to obtaining regulatory approval of the proposed Business
Combination; (vi) the ability to meet stock exchange listing
standards prior to and following the consummation of the proposed
Business Combination; (vii) the risk that the proposed Business
Combination disrupts current plans and operations of Filament as a
result of the announcement and consummation of the proposed
Business Combination; (viii) the ability to recognize the
anticipated benefits of the proposed Business Combination, which
may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability
of Pubco to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain
relationships with customers and retain its management and key
employees; (ix) costs related to the proposed Business Combination;
* failure to comply with and stay abreast of changes in laws or
regulations applicable to Filament's business, including health and
safety regulations and policies; (xi)Filament's estimates of
expenses and profitability and underlying assumptions with respect
to redemptions by Jupiter's stockholders and purchase price and
other adjustments; (xii) any downturn or volatility in economic or
business conditions; (xiii) the effects of COVID-19 or other
epidemics or pandemics; (xiv) changes in the competitive
environment affecting Filament or its customers, including
Filament's inability to introduce, or obtain regulatory approval
for, new products; (xv) the failure to obtain additional capital on
acceptable terms; (xvi) the impact of pricing pressure and erosion;
(xvii) failures or delay's in Filament's supply chain; (xviii)
Filament's ability to protect its intellectual property and avoid
infringement by others, or claims of infringement against Filament;
(xix) the possibility that Filament, Pubco or Jupiter may be
adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive
factors; (xx) the failure of Filament or Pubco to respond to
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and (xxi)
Filament's estimates of its financial performance; and those
factors discussed in documents of Jupiter or Pubco filed, or to be
filed, with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or our
assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially
from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There
may be additional risks that none of Filament, Pubco or Jupiter
presently knows or that Filament, Pubco and Jupiter currently
believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to
differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In
addition, forward-looking statements reflect Filament's, Pubco's
and Jupiter's expectations, plans, or forecasts of future events
and views as of the date of this press release. Filament, Pubco and
Jupiter anticipate that subsequent events and developments will
cause Filament's, Pubco's and Jupiter's assessments to change.
However, while Filament, Pubco and Jupiter may elect to update
these forward-looking statements at some point in the future,
Filament, Pubco and Jupiter specifically disclaim any obligation to
do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon
as representing Filament's, Pubco's or Jupiter's assessments as of
any date after the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue
reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking
statements.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of
any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in
any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would
be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities
shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the
requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act or pursuant to an
exemption from the Securities Act. In Canada, no offering of securities shall be
made except by means of a prospectus in accordance with the
requirements of applicable Canadian securities laws or an exemption
therefrom. This press release is not, and under no circumstances is
it to be construed as, a prospectus, offering memorandum, an
advertisement or a public offering in any province or territory of
Canada. In Canada, no prospectus has been filed with any
securities commission or similar regulatory authority in respect of
any of the securities referred to herein.
Participants in
Solicitation
Jupiter, Filament, Pubco and certain of their respective
directors, executive officers, and other members of management and
employees may, under SEC rules, be deemed to be participants in the
solicitations of proxies from Jupiter's stockholders and Filament's
shareholders in connection with the proposed Business Combination.
Information regarding Jupiter's directors and executive officers is
available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2022, which was filed
with the SEC on March 10, 2023 (the
"Annual Report"). Information regarding the persons who may, under
SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of Jupiter's
stockholders in connection with the Business Combination will be
set forth in Pubco's proxy statement/prospectus when it is filed
with the SEC. Additional information regarding the participants in
the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and
indirect interests will be included in the proxy
statement/prospectus when it becomes available. Shareholders,
potential investors, and other interested persons in respect of
Jupiter and Filament should read the proxy statement/prospectus
carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or
investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents
from the sources indicated above.
SOURCE Filament Health Corp.