PsyBio Therapeutics, Inc. (“
PsyBio”) and Leo
Acquisitions Corp. (NEX: LEQ.H) (“
Leo” or the
“
Company”) are pleased to announce the closing of
the previously announced brokered private placement (the
“
Financing”) of subscription receipts (the
“
Subscription Receipts”) of PsyBio Therapeutics
Financing Inc. (“
Finco”), a special purpose
British Columbia company incorporated solely for the purpose of the
Financing and wholly-owned by the Chief Executive Officer of
PsyBio, at a price of CAD$0.35 per Subscription Receipt for
aggregate gross proceeds of CAD$14,493,394, approximately three
times the original CAD$5.0 million target, with significant US and
Canadian institutional investor support.
Eight Capital acted as lead agent in connection
with the Financing (the “Lead Agent”) together
with Canaccord Genuity Corp. (together with the Lead Agent, the
“Agents”) to offer the Subscription Receipts for
sale on a “best efforts” agency basis.
“We are extraordinarily pleased to have
experienced such a successful financing working with Eight Capital
and Canaccord Genuity Corp.” said Evan Levine, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of PsyBio Therapeutics. “PsyBio is in the
business of discovering and developing a portfolio of psychoactive
medications and this offering, including the participation by
prominent health care institutional investors, validates our vision
that a paradigm shift for the treatment of mental health issues is
long overdue.”
Evan continued “Our proprietary biosynthesis
drug discovery platform is expected to enable the rapid generation
of highly stable compounds far cheaper, faster and greener than any
other published method. The capital received from this offering
will enable PsyBio to continue to work towards the discovery of new
valuable target molecules, and further the movement of our products
towards Investigational New Drug Applications.”
The Company has filed patent applications
relating to psilocybin and its intermediates and expects to file
new patent applications over the coming year based on other
hallucinogenic plants, fungi and non-natural compounds with
psychoactive properties.
Summary of the
Financing
The Financing was completed in connection with a
series of transactions that will result in the reverse takeover of
Leo by the shareholders of PsyBio (the
“Transaction”). The Transaction will constitute
Leo’s “Qualifying Transaction” as such term is defined in Policy
2.4 of the Corporate Finance Manual of the TSX Venture Exchange
(the “TSXV”). Further details of the Transaction
were previously announced by Leo on October 6, 2020, October 26,
2020 and December 2, 2020. References herein to the “Resulting
Issuer” refer to Leo following the completion of the
Transaction.
An aggregate of 41,409,698 Subscription Receipts
were issued in connection with the Financing. Each Subscription
Receipt entitles the holder thereof to receive, upon the
satisfaction or waiver (to the extent such waiver is permitted) of
certain escrow release conditions (the “Escrow Release
Conditions”) prior to the Escrow Release Deadline (as
defined below), including all conditions precedent to the
Transaction being satisfied, and without payment of additional
consideration therefor, one common share in the capital of Finco
(each, a “Finco Share”). On
completion of the Transaction, each Finco Share underlying the
Subscription Receipts will be exchanged for one subordinate voting
share of the Resulting Issuer (each, a “Subordinate Voting
Share”), all in accordance with the terms of the business
combination agreement among the Company, PsyBio and Finco, 1276949
B.C. Ltd. and Eluss, Inc., dated December 2, 2020 (the
“Definitive Agreement”) governing the terms of the
Transaction.
In connection with the Financing, the Agents are
entitled to receive a cash commission of CAD$527,229 (the
“Agents’ Commission”)and 1,506,368 compensation
warrants (the “Compensation Warrants”),. Each
Compensation Warrant is exercisable to acquire one Finco Share at
the Issue Price for a period of 24 months from the satisfaction of
the Escrow Release Conditions (the “Exercise
Period”). Upon completion of the Transaction, each holder
of Compensation Warrants will receive Subordinate Voting Shares in
lieu of Finco Shares upon exercise of the Compensation Warrants,
including the payment therefor. The Agents are also entitled to
receive, in connection with certain advisory services provided by
the Agents pursuant to the terms of an advisory agreement among the
Agents and Finco, cash advisory fees of CAD$374,000 (the
“Finance Fee”) and 1,069,000 advisor warrants
(each, an “Advisor Warrant”), with each Advisor
Warrant having the same characteristics as the Compensation
Warrants. On closing of the Financing, the Agents received payment
of 50% of the Agents’ Commission, 50% of the Finance Fee and were
issued all of the Compensation Warrants and Advisor Warrants. The
remaining 50% of the Agents’ Commission and 50% of the Finance Fee
will be paid to the Agents upon escrow release.
The gross proceeds of the Financing (less an
amount equal to 50% of the Agents’ Commission, 50% of the Finance
Fee, and all of the reasonable costs and expenses of the Agents in
connection with the Financing) (the “Escrowed
Funds”) have been deposited in escrow with the
subscription receipt agent until the satisfaction of the Escrow
Release Conditions, including that all conditions precedent to the
Transaction have been satisfied or waived.
In the event that the Escrow Release Conditions
have not been satisfied by February 28, 2021, or such other date as
Finco and the Lead Agent may determine (the “Escrow Release
Deadline”), or Finco advises the Lead Agent or announces
to the public that it does not intend to satisfy the Escrow Release
Conditions, or that the Transaction has been terminated in
accordance with the terms of the Definitive Agreement, the
aggregate issue price of the Subscription Receipts together with
any earned interest shall be returned to the applicable holders of
the Subscription Receipts (net of any applicable withholding
taxes), and such Subscription Receipts shall be automatically
cancelled and be of no further force and effect.
All Subscription Receipts issued in connection
with the Financing are subject to a statutory hold period in
accordance with Canadian securities laws. Following completion of
the Transaction, the Subordinate Voting Shares received upon the
exchange of Finco Shares underlying the Subscription Receipts will
not be subject to a statutory hold period in Canada.
Upon completion of the Transaction, the proceeds
of the Financing are anticipated to be used principally to fund the
Transaction, and for research and development, manufacturing,
corporate and general working capital purposes.
About PsyBio Therapeutics
PsyBio is a US-based biotechnology company
developing a new class of drugs intended for the treatment of
mental health challenges and other disorders. In collaboration with
Miami University based in Oxford, Ohio, PsyBio has retained the
global exclusive rights to a proprietary platform technology that
biologically synthesizes psilocybin and other targeted next
generation psychoactive compounds that are produced naturally in
fungi and plants. Management of PsyBio expects that the technology
will enable the rapid generation of these highly stable
psychoactive compounds cheaper, faster and greener than other
published methods. PsyBio was incorporated under the laws of the
State of Delaware on January 21, 2020 and is not a “reporting
issuer” under applicable securities legislation in any jurisdiction
and its securities are not listed for trading on any stock
exchange.
About Leo Acquisitions
Leo was incorporated under the Business
Corporations Act (Ontario) on October 28, 2009 and is a Capital
Pool Company (as defined in TSXV Policy 2.4 – Capital Pool
Companies of the Corporate Finance Manual). Leo is listed on the
NEX board of the TSXV. Leo has no commercial operations and no
assets other than cash.
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that
constitute “forward-looking information” (“forward-looking
information”) within the meaning of the applicable
Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than
statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and
are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date
of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions,
expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions,
future events or performance (often but not always using phrases
such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”,
“anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”,
“scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or
variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain
actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or
“will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of
historical fact and may be forward-looking information. In
disclosing the forward-looking information contained in this press
release, the Company has made certain assumptions, including that:
all applicable shareholder and regulatory approvals for the
Transaction will be received; the Transaction will be completed on
the terms set forth in this press release, on acceptable terms or
at all; PsyBio will be successful in protecting its intellectual
property within the next year and filing new patent applications
within that timeframe; the Company’s success in discovering new
valuable target molecules; the ability of PsyBio to obtain
Investigation New Drug Applications; the satisfaction of the Escrow
Release Conditions will be met; the use of the gross proceeds of
the Financing will be as set forth in this press release; and the
safety and efficacy of PsyBio’s technology and that such technology
will be cheaper, faster and greener than other published methods.
Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in
such forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no
assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking information
will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties,
and other factors which may cause the actual results and future
events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not
limited to: availability of financing; delay or failure to receive
board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; compliance with
extensive government regulations; domestic and foreign laws and
regulations adversely affecting PsyBio’s business and results of
operations; decreases in the prevailing process for psilocybin and
nutraceutical products in the markets in which PsyBio and the
Resulting Issuer will operate; the impact of COVID-19; and general
business, economic, competitive, political and social
uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance
on the forward-looking information contained in this press release.
Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and
assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
information to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new
information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in
factors affecting such forward-looking information or
otherwise.
PsyBio makes no medical, treatment or health
benefit claims about PsyBio’s proposed products. The U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (the “FDA”) or other similar
regulatory authorities have not evaluated claims regarding
psilocybin and other next generation psychoactive compounds. The
efficacy of such products have not been confirmed by FDA-approved
research. There is no assurance that the use of psilocybin and
other psychoactive compounds can diagnose, treat, cure or prevent
any disease or condition. Vigorous scientific research and clinical
trials are needed. PsyBio has not conducted clinical trials for the
use of its proposed PsyBio IP. Any references to quality,
consistency, efficacy and safety of potential products do not imply
that PsyBio verified such in clinical trials or that PsyBio will
complete such trials. If PsyBio cannot obtain the approvals or
research necessary to commercialize its business, it may have a
material adverse effect on the PsyBio’s performance and
operations.
For further information
contact:
Evan LevineCEO, PsyBio Therapeutics, Inc. p:
513-449-9585e: evan@psybiolife.com
Gerry GoldbergCEO, Leo Acquisitions
Corp.e: gerrygoldbergcpa@gmail.com
This news release does not constitute an
offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the
securities in the United States. The
securities have not been and will not be
registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any state securities
laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to
U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and
applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such
registration is available.
All information contained in this news release
with respect to the Company and PsyBio was supplied by the parties
respectively, for inclusion herein, without independent review by
the other party, and each party and its directors and officers have
relied on the other party for any information concerning the other
party.
Completion of the Transaction is subject to a
number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance
and, if applicable pursuant to TSXV requirements, majority of
the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the
Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is
obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be
completed as proposed or at all.
Investors are cautioned that, except as
disclosed in the management information circular or filing
statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any
information released or received with respect to the Transaction
may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon.
Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be
considered highly speculative.
The TSXV has in no way passed upon the
merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor
disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither
the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider
(as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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