- Tibulizumab (ZB-106) was licensed from Eli Lilly and Company on
April 26, 2023
- Total cash and cash equivalents of approximately $120 million
is expected to fund planned clinical and operating activities
through 2026
Zura Bio Limited (Nasdaq: “ZURA”) (“Zura Bio”), a multi-asset
clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel
medicines for immune and inflammatory disorders, today announced
the final closing of a private placement resulting in gross
proceeds to Zura Bio of approximately $80 million. This funding
will allow Zura Bio to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial for ZB-106
in systemic sclerosis (SSc), followed by a Phase 2 clinical trial
in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).
ZB-106 currently has clinical data from two Phase 1b studies
completed in rheumatoid arthritis and Sj�gren's syndrome. The
safety profile to date appears to be acceptable, with no new
findings relative to known IL-17 and BAFF inhibitors. Chronic
toxicology studies have been completed with no adverse drug-related
findings.
“To complete the financing is a key milestone. Not just for Zura
Bio as a company, but for the development of our ZB-106 asset and
the benefits that we hope it can bring to patients. Achieving our
cash targets puts us in a great position to progress important
clinical development programs and we are excited to move our
operations forward as a result.” said Dr. Someit Sidhu, Chief
Executive Officer and Director of Zura Bio.
Closing of the Private Placement Financing and Shareholder
Approval
In connection with the recent licensing transaction for ZB-106,
Zura Bio sold an aggregate of approximately 18.8 million Class A
ordinary shares, and pre-funded warrants in lieu of Class A
ordinary shares, to certain accredited institutional investors in a
private placement financing (the “Offering”). The Offering resulted
in gross proceeds to Zura Bio of approximately $80 million cash,
before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses
payable by Zura Bio. In addition, Eli Lilly and Company (“Lilly”)
received an aggregate of approximately $4.25 million in Class A
ordinary shares in lieu of a portion of the upfront cash paid by
Zura Bio as consideration for the licensing transaction for
ZB-106.
The Offering was led by Deep Track Capital, Great Point
Partners, Suvretta Capital, and a leading life sciences-focused
investment fund, alongside several additional new and existing
investors.
Pursuant to the terms of the subscription agreements, each Class
A ordinary share was sold at a price of $4.25 per share and each
pre-funded warrant was sold at a price of $4.249 per pre-funded
warrant. Each pre-funded warrant has an exercise price of $0.001
per Class A ordinary share. At the initial closing on May 1, 2023,
investors purchased an aggregate of approximately 3.75 million
Class A ordinary shares for a total of approximately $16 million in
gross proceeds, excluding the shares issued to Lilly. At the second
closing, which occurred on June 5, 2023 following the Company’s
receipt of shareholder approval on June 1, 2023 to allot such
shares and pre-funded warrants, investors purchased an aggregate of
approximately 15 million Class A ordinary shares and pre-funded
warrants for an additional total of approximately $64 million in
gross proceeds. Zura Bio has approximately $120 million in cash and
cash equivalents, which it believes will be sufficient to fund its
planned operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements
through 2026.
Guggenheim Securities served as lead placement agent for the
Offering. Chardan and Raymond James also served as co-lead
placement agents for the Offering.
The securities are being sold in a private placement and have
not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and may not be offered or sold in the U.S. absent registration or
an applicable exemption from registration requirements. Zura Bio
has agreed to file resale registration statements with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), for purposes of
registering the resale of the Class A ordinary shares and
pre-funded warrants issued or issuable in connection with the
Offering.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy the securities, nor shall there be
any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer or sale
would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under
the securities laws of such state. Any offering of the shares under
the resale registration statement will only be by means of a
prospectus.
About Zura Bio
Zura Bio is a multi-asset clinical-stage biotechnology company
focused on developing novel medicines for immune and inflammatory
disorders. Currently, Zura Bio is developing three assets which
have completed phase 1/1b studies and are Phase 2 ready. The
company is developing a portfolio of therapeutic indications for
tibulizumab (ZB-106), torudokimab (ZB-880), and ZB-168 with a goal
of demonstrating their efficacy, safety, and dosing convenience in
immune and inflammatory disorders.
Forward Looking Statements Disclaimer
This communication includes “forward-looking statements” within
the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expect,”
“estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,”
“intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believe,”
“predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “strategy,” “future,”
“opportunity,” “would,” “seem,” “seek,” “outlook” and similar
expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections
and other statements about future events that are based on current
expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks
and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ
materially from the expected results. These statements are based on
various assumptions, whether or not identified in this
communication. These forward-looking statements are provided for
illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and
must not be relied on by an investor as, a guarantee, an assurance,
a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability.
Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to
predict and will differ from assumptions. You should carefully
consider the risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk
Factors” sections of Zura Bio’s filings with the SEC, including,
without limitation, the risks and uncertainties described in the
Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (the “Registration
Statement”). These filings would identify and address other
important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events
and results to differ materially from those contained in the
forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are outside Zura
Bio’s control and are difficult to predict. Many factors could
cause actual future events to differ from the forward-looking
statements in this communication, including but not limited to: (1)
the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against
Zura Bio; (2) volatility in the price of Zura Bio’s securities; (3)
the ability of Zura Bio to successfully conduct research and
development activities, grow and manage growth profitably, maintain
relationships with customers and suppliers, and retain key
employees; (4) costs related to financing transactions and the
ongoing costs relating to operating as a public company; (5)
changes in the applicable laws or regulations; (6) the possibility
that Zura Bio may be adversely affected by other economic,
business, and/or competitive factors; (7) the risk of downturns and
a changing regulatory landscape in the highly competitive industry
in which Zura Bio operates; (8) the impact of the global COVID-19
pandemic; (9) the potential inability of Zura Bio to raise
additional capital needed to pursue its business objectives or to
achieve efficiencies regarding other costs; (10) the enforceability
of Zura Bio’s intellectual property, including its patents, and the
potential infringement on the intellectual property rights of
others, cyber security risks or potential breaches of data
security; and (11) other risks and uncertainties described in the
Registration Statement and such other documents filed by Zura Bio
from time to time with the SEC. These risks and uncertainties may
be amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused significant
economic uncertainty. Zura Bio cautions that the foregoing list of
factors is not exclusive or exhaustive and not to place undue
reliance upon any forward-looking statements, including
projections, which speak only as of the date made. Zura Bio gives
no assurance that it will achieve its expectations. Zura Bio does
not undertake or accept any obligation to publicly provide
revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements, whether as
a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, or
should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by
securities and other applicable laws.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230606005433/en/
Corporate Contact: Kim Davis Chief Legal Officer Email:
info@zurabio.com Website: www.zurabio.com
Media: Chris Wilson Mint Gecko Ltd. Email:
chris.wilson@mintgecko.co.uk
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