Proposed Issue and Placing of Shares

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, SINGAPORE, HONG KONG OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE EU REGULATION 596/2014 (“MAR”) AND ARTICLE 7 OF MAR AS INCORPORATED INTO UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 (“UK MAR”).

 

 

Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd

 

(“Faron” or the “Company”)

Proposed Issue and Placing of Shares to raise approximately EUR 8 million

 

 

Company announcement, 13 October 2022 at 17:30 p.m. BST / 19:30 p.m. EEST

Inside information

 

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • A proposed private placement to raise approximately EUR 8 million conducted by way of an accelerated book-building, directed to a limited number of institutional and other investors.
  • The Company has substantial anchor demand in place for the Placing.
  • Significant majority of the net proceeds of the Placing would be used for the acceleration of the bexmarilimab clinical development program and manufacturing.
  • As disclosed in the Company’s half year report on 25 August 2022 total cash and cash equivalents held by the Company as of 30 June 2022 was ca. EUR 9.9 million.
  • Gross proceeds of the Placing, if subscribed, together with other currently confirmed funding, are expected to provide the Company with working capital further into Q1 2023.

 

TURKU, FINLAND / BOSTON, MA – Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd (First North: FARON, AIM: FARN), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on building the future of immunotherapy by harnessing the power of the immune system to tackle cancer and inflammation, today announces a proposed private placement of approximately 4,200,000 treasury shares (the “Placing Shares”) to raise approximately EUR 8 million before expenses to a limited number of institutional investors (the “Placing”). The Company has substantial anchor demand in place for the Placing.

 

Placing may be conducted in two tranches. Swedbank AB (publ) (“Swedbank”) is acting as sole bookrunner and financial adviser to the Company for the main tranche of the Placing in cooperation with Kepler Cheuvreux S.A. In addition to the main tranche the Company may convey shares directly to the Chairman of the Board in a separate tranche at the same terms and conditions as the main tranche, without the involvement of Swedbank.

 

The Placing will be conducted as a private placement by way of an accelerated book-building process in which selected investors may submit bids for the Placing Shares (the “Bookbuild”). The subscription price per Placing Share is to be determined on the basis of the bids received in the Bookbuild. The Bookbuild is expected to commence immediately following this announcement and is expected to end by 9:00 a.m. EEST (7:00 a.m. BST) on 14 October 2022 at the latest. The Bookbuild may be discontinued at any time during the book-building process. Following the close of the Bookbuild, the Board of Directors of Faron (the “Board“) will first make the decision to issue the relevant number of treasury shares to Faron itself without consideration (the “Treasury Shares”), taking into consideration the 1,311,800 treasury shares currently held by the Company itself, followed by the decision to further issue and convey the Placing Shares, including, as applicable, acceptance of the received bids, the number of Placing Shares to be conveyed to investors and the subscription price per Placing Share (the “Issue Price“). The Company has received non-binding indications of interest from potential investors to subscribe for the Placing Shares under the Placing during a pre-marketing process.

 

As soon as practicable after the close of the Bookbuild, an announcement will be made on the final number of the Treasury Shares to be issued first to Faron itself without consideration and then the final number of Placing Shares conveyed in the Placing, the expected registration date of the Treasury Shares and the Issue Price.

 

Further details on the terms and conditions of the Placing are set out below. The Placing Shares are expected to be admitted to trading on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland (“First North”) and AIM (“AIM”) in London as set out below.

 

“The biomarker data we have reported this year on late-stage, heavily pre-treated cancer patients clearly indicate which patients are likely to respond to treatment with bexmarilimab resulting in a powerful immune system activation,” said Dr. Markku Jalkanen, Chief Executive Officer of Faron. “These patients also represent the majority of PD-1 blockade resistant cancer patients and could benefit from bexmarilimab treatment in combination settings. This fundraise will enable us to further accelerate our ambitious bexmarilimab development plan which now covers both solid tumors and haematological malignancies.”

 

 

 

REASONS FOR THE PROPOSED PLACING

 

The development of bexmarilimab has advanced significantly over the past 12 – 18 months and the furthering of its development provides an opportunity to build additional value for shareholders. The primary reason for conducting the Placing is to accelerate and expand the clinical development of this drug candidate.

 

Bexmarilimab

  • Conclude MATINS trial for FDA EOP Meeting to obtain advice for pivotal pathway with last line cancer patients
  • Complete Part I of the BEXMAB combination trial with AML/MSD patients
  • Initiate BEXCOMBO with PD-1 Blockade
  • Advance Bex CMC commercial scale production

 

General corporate

  • Development of Faron’s operational unit in the US
  • Strengthening of the Company’s balance sheet.

 

 

DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED PLACING AND ISSUE OF EQUITY

 

The proposed Placing is being carried out within the authorisation granted to the Board by shareholders at the Company’s Extraordinary General Meeting held on 7 July 2022 to issue up to a total of eleven million (11,000,000) new ordinary shares in the Company as well as to convey up to the same maximum number (11,000,000) of treasury shares in the possession of the Company (the “Authorisation”). The Authorisation includes the right to issue new shares or dispose of the shares in the possession of the Company, in a directed share issue and in deviation from the shareholders’ pre-emptive rights.

 

The Placing will be implemented in two phases, each requiring the use of the Board’s share issue authorisation, i.e. by the Company first issuing the Treasury Shares to itself without consideration and then immediately conveying the Treasury Shares together with treasury shares currently held by the Company as Placing Shares to the participating investors against their payment of the Issue Price. As the Company plans to convey up 4,200,000 Placing Shares to investors, it will issue up to 2,888,200 (= 4,200,000 – 1,311,800) new Treasury Shares to itself. The Placing Shares represent approximately 7.4 per cent of all the issued shares and votes in the Company immediately prior to the Placing.

 

The Placing, with the main tranche being arranged by Swedbank, will be conducted in a private placement by way of the Bookbuild, which is an accelerated book-building process in which selected investors may submit bids for the Placing Shares. The Issue Price is to be determined on the basis of the bids received in the Bookbuild. The Bookbuild is expected to commence immediately following this announcement and is expected to end by 9:00 EEST a.m. (7:00 a.m. BST) on 14 October 2022 at the latest. The Bookbuild may be discontinued at any time during the book-building process. Following the close of the Bookbuild, the Board will make the decision to issue the relevant number of new Treasury Shares to the Company itself and subsequently convey the Placing Shares to the investors in the Placing, including deciding upon, as applicable, the acceptance of the received bids, the number of Placing Shares to be conveyed and the Issue Price. As soon as practicable after the close of the Bookbuild, receipt of binding commitments from investors and the Board having resolved on carrying out the Placing, an announcement will be made on the final outcome of the Bookbuild and, as applicable, the number of Treasury Shares to be issued to the Company itself and further the number of Placing Shares issued to investors, the Issue Price as well as the expected registration date of the Treasury Shares.

 

In connection with the proposed Placing, the Company has entered into a placing agreement concerning the main tranche with Swedbank (the Placing Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Placing Agreement, Swedbank has agreed to use its reasonable endeavours to procure the subscription of Placing Shares in the main tranche.

 

The Placing Agreement contains customary warranties and an indemnity from the Company in favour of Swedbank together with provisions which enable Swedbank to terminate the Placing Agreement in certain circumstances before the completion of the Bookbuild, the Board’s resolution on carrying out the Placing and the settlement of the Placing Shares to investors, including where there has been a material breach of any of the warranties contained in the Placing Agreement or where there is a material adverse change, e.g., in the business or financial affairs of the Company. The Company has agreed to pay Swedbank certain commissions and fees in connection with the Placing. Pursuant to the terms of the Placing Agreement, Swedbank shall collect payment of the gross Issue Price from the investors in respect of the Placing Shares allocated in the main tranche of the Placing, paying such amounts to the Company on behalf of the investors and organizing the delivery of the Placing Shares to the investors against payment of the Issue Price in full (DVP).

 

 The Placing is conditional upon, inter alia:

  • the Placing Agreement having become unconditional in all respects;
  • binding commitments being received from investors;
  • the Board resolving to carry out the Placing at the Issue Price and the Company and Swedbank entering into a separate pricing agreement confirming the Issue Price and the number of the Placing Shares; and
  • the Treasury Shares being issued and being registered with the Finnish Trade Register.

 

In connection with the Placing, Faron has entered into a lock-up undertaking, under which it has, subject to certain exceptions, agreed not to issue or sell any shares in Faron for a period of 90 days after the closing of the Placing.

 

Subject to all conditions being met, the Treasury Shares are expected to be entered in the Finnish Trade Register approximately on 14 October 2022.

 

ISSUE OF THE PLACING SHARES AND ADMISSION TO TRADING

 

The Treasury Shares are expected to be issued in one tranche to the Company itself and subsequently the Placing Shares conveyed to the investors, with the payment and settlement (delivery against payment of the Issue Price in full) expected to be completed on or about 18 October 2022. Applications will be made for the admission of the Treasury Shares to trading on First North and AIM with said admissions expected to become effective and trading to commence on or around 18 October 2022 (the “Admissions“). The dates above may be subject to change.

 

A further announcement will be made to confirm the outcome of the Placing (subject to, inter alia, satisfaction of the above conditions) and to confirm the expected timing of issue of the Treasury Shares to the Company itself and subsequent conveyance of Placing Shares to investors, and the Admissions.

 

Upon registration with the Finnish Trade Register and further conveyance of the Placing Shares to investors (DVP), the Placing Shares will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing shares of the Company.

 

For more information please contact:

 

Investor Contact

Faron Pharmaceuticals

Julia Balanova

VP, Investor Relations

julia.balanova@faron.com

investor.relations@faron.com

Phone: +1 (917) 306-6096

 

Media Contact

Faron Pharmaceuticals

Eric Van Zanten

VP, Communications

eric.vanzanten@faron.com

Phone: +1 (610) 529-6219

 

Swedbank AB (publ), Financial Adviser

Mika Karikoski,

Phone: +358 (0) 407416959

 

Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, Nominated Adviser

Sandy Jamieson, Jo Turner

Phone: +44 (0) 207 213 0880

 

Peel Hunt LLP, Broker

Christopher Golden, James Steel

Phone: +44 (0) 20 7418 8900

 

Sisu Partners Oy, Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North

Juha Karttunen

Phone: +358 (0)40 555 4727

Jukka Järvelä

Phone: +358 (0)50 553 8990

 

Consilium Strategic Communications

Mary-Jane Elliott, David Daley, Lindsey Neville

faron@consilium-comms.com

Phone: +44 (0)20 3709 5700

 

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR DISPOSE OF ANY SECURITIES IN FARON PHARMACEUTICALS OY (“FARON”) PURSUANT TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION REFERRED TO IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS THEREFORE DIRECTED ONLY AT, IN A MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA, PERSONS WHO ARE “QUALIFIED INVESTORS” AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 2(E) OF THE EU PROSPECTUS REGULATION (WHICH MEANS REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129) (THE “PROSPECTUS REGULATION”). THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR CONTAIN ANY INVITATION, SOLICITATION, RECOMMENDATION, OFFER OR ADVICE TO ANY PERSON TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR DISPOSE OF ANY SECURITIES IN FARON OR ANY OTHER ENTITY IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH ANY SUCH OFFER WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

 

IN ADDITION, IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS ONLY DIRECTED AT PERSONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM THAT ARE QUALIFIED INVESTORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 2(E) OF THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION AS INCORPORATED INTO UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 THAT ARE ALSO (I) INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005 (THE “ORDER”) AND/OR (II) HIGH NET WORTH ENTITIES, AND OTHER PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY LAWFULLY BE COMMUNICATED, FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(A) TO (E) OF THE ORDER (EACH SUCH PERSON, TOGETHER WITH QUALIFIED INVESTORS AS DEFINED IN THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION, BEING REFERRED TO AS A “RELEVANT PERSON”).

 

ACCORDINGLY, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND ITS CONTENTS MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS. PERSONS INTO WHOSE POSSESSION THIS ANNOUNCEMENT COMES ARE REQUIRED TO INFORM THEMSELVES ABOUT AND TO OBSERVE ANY SUCH RESTRICTIONS.

 

THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION REFERRED TO IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WOULD BE MADE PURSUANT TO A PRIVATE PLACEMENT EXEMPTION UNDER THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION FROM THE REQUIREMENTS TO PRODUCE A PROSPECTUS UNDER THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION FOR OFFERS OF SECURITIES. FARON HAS NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION, NOR WILL IT TAKE ANY ACTION, TO OFFER ANY OF THE PLACING SHARES THAT ARE TO BE SUBSCRIBED FOR PURSUANT TO THE TRANSACTION REFERRED TO IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OR ANY DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE PLACING TO THE PUBLIC IN FINLAND, SWEDEN, NORWAY OR DENMARK, OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN ANY FORM WHICH WOULD CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO THE PUBLIC.

 

THE PLACING SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR TRANSFERRED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES. THERE IS NO INTENTION TO REGISTER THE PLACING SHARES IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO MAKE A PUBLIC OFFERING IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY SALE OF THE PLACING SHARES IN THE UNITED STATES WILL BE MADE SOLELY TO “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A IN RELIANCE ON AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT.

 

About Bexmarilimab

Bexmarilimab is Faron’s wholly-owned, investigative precision immunotherapy with the potential to provide permanent immune stimulation for difficult-to-treat cancers through targeting myeloid cell function. A novel anti-Clever-1 humanised antibody, bexmarilimab targets Clever-1 positive (Common Lymphatic Endothelial and Vascular Endothelial Receptor 1) tumour associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumour microenvironment, converting these highly immunosuppressive M2 macrophages to immune stimulating M1 macrophages. In mouse models, bexmarilimab has successfully blocked or silenced Clever-1, activating antigen presentation and promoting interferon gamma secretion by leukocytes. Additional pre-clinical studies have proven that Clever-1, encoded by the Stabilin-1 or STAB-1 gene, is a major source of T cell exhaustion and involved in cancer growth and spread. Observations from clinical studies to date indicate that Clever-1 has the capacity to control T cell activation directly, suggesting that the inactivation of Clever-1 as an immune suppressive molecule could be more broadly applicable and more important than previously thought. As an immuno-oncology therapy, bexmarilimab has potential as a single-agent therapy or in combination with other standard treatments including immune checkpoint molecules in both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Beyond immuno-oncology, it offers potential in infectious diseases, vaccine development and more.

 

About Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd. 

Faron (AIM: FARN, First North: FARON) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for medical conditions with significant unmet needs caused by dysfunction of our immune system. The Company currently has a pipeline based on the receptors involved in regulation of immune response in oncology, organ damage and bone marrow regeneration. Bexmarilimab, a novel anti-Clever-1 humanized antibody, is its investigative precision immunotherapy with the potential to provide permanent immune stimulation for difficult-to-treat cancers through targeting myeloid function. Currently in Phase I/II clinical development as a potential therapy for patients with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, bexmarilimab has potential as a single-agent therapy or in combination with other standard treatments including immune checkpoint molecules. Traumakine is an investigational intravenous (IV) interferon beta-1a therapy for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and other ischemic or hyperinflammatory conditions. Traumakine is currently being evaluated by the 59th Medical Wing of the US Air Force and the US Department of Defense for the prevention of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) after ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by a major trauma.  Faron is based in Turku, Finland. Further information is available at www.faron.com.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 

Market Abuse Regulation

Market soundings, as defined in Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (“MAR“), were taken in respect of the proposed Placing with the result that certain persons became aware of inside information, as permitted by MAR. That inside information in relation to the Placing is set out in this announcement and has been disclosed as soon as possible in accordance with paragraph 7 of article 17 of MAR. Therefore, those persons that received inside information in such market sounding are no longer in possession of inside information relating to the Company and its securities.

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of MAR and Article 7 of UK MAR.

 

MiFID II

Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended (“MiFID II“); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures (together, the “MiFID II Product Governance Requirements“), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any “manufacturer” (for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Placing Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Placing Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of: (a) retail investors, (b) investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and (c) eligible counterparties (each as defined in MiFID II); and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the “Target Market Assessment“). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that: the price of the Placing Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Placing Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Placing Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the offer.

 

Caution regarding forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this announcement are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ”believe”, ”could”, “should”, “expect”, ”envisage”, ”estimate”, ”intend”, ”may”, ”plan”, ”potentially”, ”will” or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors’ current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Directors’ current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors.

 

A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results and expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. In addition, other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially include the ability of the Company to successfully licence its programmes, risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions, competition, environmental and other regulatory changes, actions by governmental authorities, the availability of capital markets or other sources of funding, reliance on key personnel, uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law or any relevant AIM Rule requirements, in providing this information the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any of the forward-looking statements or to advise of any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Announcement of Placing

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, SINGAPORE, HONG KONG OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE EU REGULATION 596/2014 (“MAR”) AND ARTICLE 7 OF MAR AS INCORPORATED INTO UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 (“UK MAR”).

 

 

Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd

 

(“Faron” or the “Company”)

Announcement of Placing of Newly Issued Treasury Shares to Raise EUR 5 Million and of

PDMR Dealings

 

Company announcement, 28 June 2022 at 9:00 a.m. EEST/ 7:00 a.m. BST

Inside information

 

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • The Company has conducted a private placement directed to a limited number of institutional and other investors to raise EUR 5 million.
  • The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Therapy Acceleration Program® (LLS TAP) participated in the Placing.
  • Significant majority of the net proceeds of the Placing will be used for the acceleration of the bexmarilimab clinical development program and manufacturing.
  • As disclosed in the Company’s full year report on 25 March 2022, total cash and cash equivalents held by the Company as of 31 December 2021 were ca. EUR 6.9 million.
  • Gross proceeds of the Placing together with other currently confirmed funding, are expected to provide the Company with working capital into Q1 2023.

 

TURKU, FINLAND / BOSTON, MA – Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd (First North: FARON, AIM: FARN), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on building the future of immunotherapy by harnessing the power of the immune system to tackle cancer and inflammation, today announces that it has conducted a placement of 2,006,621 newly issued treasury shares (“Placing Shares”) to raise EUR 5 million before expenses to a limited number of institutional investors and other investors (“Placing”). Upon receipt of these proceeds, the Company expects to have sufficient working capital into Q1 2023.

 

The Placing was carried out as a private placement by way of a firm placement of Placing Shares to a limited number of institutional and other investors. To implement the Placing, the Board of Directors of Faron (the “Board“) has decided to issue 3,318,421 shares to Faron itself without consideration (“Treasury Shares”) and, subject to the registration of the Treasury Shares, further convey 2,006,621 of such Treasury Shares as Placing Shares to the participating investors. The remaining 1,311,800 Treasury Shares not conveyed to investors, will remain in the Company’s possession. The subscription price per Placing Share corresponds to the volume weighted average price of the Company’s shares on Nasdaq Helsinki First North Growth Market Finland on 27 June 2022, EUR 2.4882 (the “Issue Price“) and the settlement of the Placing (delivery against payment) trades are expected to complete on or around 30 June 2022 and 5 July 2022, respectively. One of the investors participating in the Placing is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Therapy Acceleration Program® (“LLS TAP”).

 

 

“This fundraise will enable us to accelerate our ambitious bexmarilimab development program, with a specific focus on advancing our combination trials in both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies,” said Dr. Markku Jalkanen, Chief Executive Officer of Faron. “Far too many patients are not benefiting from recently approved treatments because their immune system simply doesn’t recognize and mount a defense against their cancer. By converting highly immunosuppressive M2 macrophages to immune stimulating M1 macrophages, bexmarilimab is capable of igniting an immune response in these patients, which we think will be amplified when used as part of a combination regimen.”

 

“We are extremely pleased with the results of this Placing, including an investment from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Therapy Acceleration Program® (LLS TAP), a funding initiative to accelerate innovative blood cancer therapeutics and change the standard of care in leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma,” said Toni Hänninen, Chief Financial Officer of Faron. “These funds raised strengthen our balance sheet and will allow us to continue accelerating our bexmarilimab development program, which includes our monotherapy MATINS trial and combination studies in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.”

 

“We are excited to invest in and partner with Faron and look forward to leveraging our organization and network to help advance their development of bexmarilimab,” said Lore Gruenbaum, PhD, Vice President, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Therapy Acceleration Program® (LLS TAP). “There is a critical need to develop new treatment options for blood cancer patients and novel combination therapies, like those being explored by Faron, are particularly promising because they can work synergistically to not only treat the cancer, but also activate a systemic response by the patient’s own immune system.”

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

The development of bexmarilimab has advanced significantly over the past 12 – 18 months and the furthering of its development provides an opportunity to build additional value for shareholders. The primary reason for conducting the Placing is to accelerate and expand the clinical development of this drug candidate.

 

Bexmarilimab

  • Conclude MATINS trial for FDA EOP Meeting
  • Progress BEXMAB hematologic combination trial
  • Initiate BEXCOMBO solid tumor combination trial
  • Advance Bex CMC commercial scale production

 

General corporate

  • Development of Faron’s operational unit in the US
  • Strengthening of the Company’s balance sheet

 

 

DETAILS ON PLACING AND SHARE ISSUES

 

The Placing is carried out within the authorization granted to the Board by shareholders at the Company’s Annual General Meeting held on 23 April 2021 to issue up to a total of 10,000,000 ordinary shares in the Company, including the right to issue new shares or dispose of the shares in the possession of the Company, in a directed share issue and in deviation from the shareholders’ pre-emptive rights. The Placing is implemented in two phases, each requiring the use of the Board’s share issue authorization, i.e. by the Company first issuing the Treasury Shares to itself without consideration and then immediately conveying up to 2,006,621 of such Treasury Shares as Placing Shares to the participating investors against their payment of the Issue Price. As a result of the Placing, the number of ordinary shares in the Company will increase by 3,318,421 new shares (representing approximately 6 per cent of all the issued shares and votes in the Company immediately prior to the Placing), which are expected to be registered in the Finnish Trade Register on or around 28 June 2022. Following the issuance, the aggregate number of ordinary shares in the Company will be 56,575,453.  A further announcement will be made to confirm the registration.

 

A total of 2,006,621 of these Treasury Shares are further conveyed as Placing Shares to the investors participating in the Placing, with the payment and settlement (delivery against payment of the Issue Price in full) expected to be completed on or about 30 June 2022 and 5 July 2022, respectively. Following, and subject to, the completion of the settlement in full, the Company will hold a total of 1,311,800 Treasury Shares. The number of shares in issue (excluding Treasury Shares), and the figure to be used as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company’s voting rights, will be 55,263,653.

 

Upon registration with the Finnish Trade Register and the further conveyance of the Placing Shares to investors, the Placing Shares will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing shares of the Company.

 

ADMISSION

 

The Company will make applications for the admission of the Placing Shares (and the remaining Treasury Shares) to trading on First North and AIM with said admissions expected to become effective and trading to commence on or around 29 June 2022 (the “Admissions“).

 

RELATED PARTY AND PDMR DEALING

 

Timo Syrjälä, an existing shareholder in the Company, has subscribed for and been allocated 1,355,999 Placing Shares in aggregate (subscribed for by himself and through Acme Investments SPF Sarl (“Acme“), an entity wholly owned by Mr. Syrjälä), for an aggregate subscription value of approximately EUR 3.4 million at the Issue Price. Following the completion of the Placing, Mr. Syrjälä’s total holding in the Company’s shares, which includes his indirect holding through Acme, will be 10,548,498 shares, representing 19.09 per cent of the issued shares and votes of the Company following the Placing. Mr Syrjälä is a “Substantial Shareholder” in the Company for the purposes of the AIM Rules for Companies (the “AIM Rules“). His subscription for Placing Shares pursuant to the Placing is a related party transaction for the purposes of the AIM Rules. The Directors of the Company, all of whom are independent of Mr Syrjälä, having consulted with Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, the Company’s nominated adviser for the purposes of the AIM Rules, consider the terms of the participation by Mr. Syrjälä in the Placing to be fair and reasonable insofar as shareholders are concerned.

 

In addition, Markku Jalkanen together with his spouse Sirpa Jalkanen, Anne Whitaker and Erik Ostrowski, directors of the Company, as well as Toni Hänninen, CFO of the Company, have subscribed for 40,188, 4,018, 2,009 and 4,018 shares respectively. Their beneficial interests in the issued shares and votes of the Company are set out below:

 

 

Before the Placing

 

Following the Placing

Director

Number of ordinary shares held

% of total voting rights

Number of Placing Shares subscribed for

Number of ordinary shares held

% of total voting rights

Markku Jalkanen

(including spouse Sirpa Jalkanen)

3,251,677

6.11

40,188

3,291,865

5.96

Anne Whitaker

4,018

4,018

0.01

Erik Ostrowski

2,009

2,009

0.00

Toni Hänninen

 94,697

0.18

4,018

98,715

0.18

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

The participation of Markku Jalkanen, Anne Whitaker and Erik Ostrowski (“Directors Participation”) in the Placing constitute related party transactions for the purposes of the AIM Rules. The independent directors for the purpose of the Directors Participation, being Dr Frank Armstrong, Dr Gregory Brown, John Poulos and Leopoldo Zambeletti, having consulted with Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, the Company’s nominated adviser for the purposes of the AIM Rules, consider the terms of the Directors Participation in the Placing to be fair and reasonable insofar as shareholders are concerned.

 

 

Notification of a Transaction pursuant to Article 19(1) of Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014

1

Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated

a.

Name

a)       Markku Jalkanen

b)       Anne Whitaker

c)       Erik Ostrowski

d)       Toni Hänninen

e)       Sirpa Jalkanen

 

2

Reason for notification

 

 

 

a.

Position/Status

Directors

b.

Initial notification/

Amendment

Initial Notification

3

Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor

a.

Name

Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy

b.

LEI

7437009H31TO1DC0EB42

4

Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted

a.

Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument

Identification Code

Ordinary shares

ISIN: FI4000153309
 

b.

Nature of the transaction

Purchase of ordinary shares

c.

Price(s) and volume(s)

 

 Average

 

 

 

 

Price(s)

Volume(s)

 

a)       2.4882

b)       2.4882

c)       2.4882

d)       2.4882

e)       2.4882

 

a) 28,132

b) 4,018

c) 2,009

d) 4,018

e) 12,056

 

 

 

d.

Aggregated information

 

– Aggregated Volume

 

– Price

 

 

 

50,233

 

2.4882

e.

Date of the transaction

27 June 2022

f.

Place of the transaction

Nasdaq First North Growth Market

 

 

For more information please contact:

 

Investor Contact

Faron Pharmaceuticals

Julia Balanova

VP, Investor Relations

julia.balanova@faron.com

investor.relations@faron.com

Phone: +1 (917) 306-6096

 

Media Contact

Faron Pharmaceuticals

Eric Van Zanten

VP, Communications

eric.vanzanten@faron.com

Phone: +1 (610) 529-6219

 

Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, Nomad

Sandy Jamieson, Jo Turner

Phone: +44 (0) 207 213 0880

 

Peel Hunt LLP, Broker

Christopher Golden, James Steel

Phone: +44 (0) 20 7418 8900

 

Sisu Partners Oy, Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North

Juha Karttunen

Phone: +358 (0)40 555 4727

Jukka Järvelä

Phone: +358 (0)50 553 8990

 

Consilium Strategic Communications

Mary-Jane Elliott, David Daley, Lindsey Neville

faron@consilium-comms.com

Phone: +44 (0)20 3709 5700

 

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR DISPOSE OF ANY SECURITIES IN FARON PHARMACEUTICALS OY (“FARON”) PURSUANT TO THE TRANSACTION REFERRED TO IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS THEREFORE DIRECTED ONLY AT, IN A MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA, PERSONS WHO ARE “QUALIFIED INVESTORS” AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 2(E) OF THE EU PROSPECTUS REGULATION (WHICH MEANS REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129) (THE “PROSPECTUS REGULATION”). THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR CONTAIN ANY INVITATION, SOLICITATION, RECOMMENDATION, OFFER OR ADVICE TO ANY PERSON TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR DISPOSE OF ANY SECURITIES IN FARON OR ANY OTHER ENTITY IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH ANY SUCH OFFER WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

 

IN ADDITION, IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS ONLY DIRECTED AT PERSONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM THAT ARE QUALIFIED INVESTORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 2(E) OF THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION AS INCORPORATED INTO UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 THAT ARE ALSO (I) INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005 (THE “ORDER”) AND/OR (II) HIGH NET WORTH ENTITIES, AND OTHER PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY LAWFULLY BE COMMUNICATED, FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(A) TO (E) OF THE ORDER (EACH SUCH PERSON, TOGETHER WITH QUALIFIED INVESTORS AS DEFINED IN THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION, BEING REFERRED TO AS A “RELEVANT PERSON”).

 

ACCORDINGLY, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND ITS CONTENTS MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS. PERSONS INTO WHOSE POSSESSION THIS ANNOUNCEMENT COMES ARE REQUIRED TO INFORM THEMSELVES ABOUT AND TO OBSERVE ANY SUCH RESTRICTIONS.

 

THE TRANSACTION REFERRED TO IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WOULD BE MADE PURSUANT TO A PRIVATE PLACEMENT EXEMPTION UNDER THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION FROM THE REQUIREMENTS TO PRODUCE A PROSPECTUS UNDER THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION FOR OFFERS OF SECURITIES. FARON HAS NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION, NOR WILL IT TAKE ANY ACTION, TO OFFER ANY OF THE PLACING SHARES THAT ARE TO BE SUBSCRIBED FOR PURSUANT TO THE TRANSACTION REFERRED TO IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OR ANY DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE PLACING TO THE PUBLIC IN FINLAND, SWEDEN, NORWAY OR DENMARK, OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN ANY FORM WHICH WOULD CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO THE PUBLIC.

 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE INTO THE UNITED STATES. THE PLACING SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR TRANSFERRED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES. THERE IS NO INTENTION TO REGISTER THE PLACING SHARES IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO MAKE A PUBLIC OFFERING IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY SALE OF THE PLACING SHARES IN THE UNITED STATES WILL BE MADE SOLELY TO “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A IN RELIANCE ON AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT.

 

 

About Bexmarilimab

Bexmarilimab is Faron’s wholly-owned, investigative precision immunotherapy with the potential to provide permanent immune stimulation for difficult-to-treat cancers through targeting myeloid cell function. A novel anti-Clever-1 humanised antibody, bexmarilimab targets Clever-1 positive (Common Lymphatic Endothelial and Vascular Endothelial Receptor 1) tumour associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumour microenvironment, converting these highly immunosuppressive M2 macrophages to immune stimulating M1 macrophages. In mouse models, bexmarilimab has successfully blocked or silenced Clever-1, activating antigen presentation and promoting interferon gamma secretion by leukocytes. Additional pre-clinical studies have proven that Clever-1, encoded by the Stabilin-1 or STAB-1 gene, is a major source of T cell exhaustion and involved in cancer growth and spread. Observations from clinical studies to date indicate that Clever-1 has the capacity to control T cell activation directly, suggesting that the inactivation of Clever-1 as an immune suppressive molecule could be more broadly applicable and more important than previously thought. As an immuno-oncology therapy, bexmarilimab has potential as a single-agent therapy or in combination with other standard treatments including immune checkpoint molecules in both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Beyond immuno-oncology, it offers potential in infectious diseases, vaccine development and more.

 

About Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd. 

Faron (AIM: FARN, First North: FARON) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for medical conditions with significant unmet needs caused by dysfunction of our immune system. The Company currently has a pipeline based on the receptors involved in regulation of immune response in oncology, organ damage and bone marrow regeneration. Bexmarilimab, a novel anti-Clever-1 humanized antibody, is its investigative precision immunotherapy with the potential to provide permanent immune stimulation for difficult-to-treat cancers through targeting myeloid function. Currently in Phase I/II clinical development as a potential therapy for patients with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, bexmarilimab has potential as a single-agent therapy or in combination with other standard treatments including immune checkpoint molecules. Traumakine is an investigational intravenous (IV) interferon beta-1a therapy for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and other ischemic or hyperinflammatory conditions. Traumakine is currently being evaluated by the 59th Medical Wing of the US Air Force and the US Department of Defense for the prevention of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) after ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by a major trauma.  Faron is based in Turku, Finland. Further information is available at www.faron.com.

 

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Therapy Acceleration Program® (TAP)
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.  LLS TAP is a strategic initiative that builds business alliances and collaborations with biotechnology companies and academic researchers to identify potential breakthrough therapies with the ability to change the standard of care. LLS TAP funds late-stage preclinical studies, and proof of concept or registrational clinical trials to help advance therapeutics along the drug development and approval pathway. LLS TAP accepts funding applications on a rolling basis from companies with innovative science that has a high potential to improve patient lives. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org/therapy-acceleration-program. Follow LLS on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 

Market Abuse Regulation

Market soundings, as defined in Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (“MAR“), were taken in respect of the Placing with the result that certain persons became aware of inside information, as permitted by MAR. That inside information in relation to the Placing is set out in this announcement and has been disclosed as soon as possible in accordance with paragraph 7 of article 17 of MAR. Therefore, those persons that received inside information in such market sounding are no longer in possession of inside information relating to the Company and its securities.

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of MAR and Article 7 of UK MAR.

 

MiFID II

Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended (“MiFID II“); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures (together, the “MiFID II Product Governance Requirements“), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any “manufacturer” (for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Placing Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Placing Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of: (a) retail investors, (b) investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and (c) eligible counterparties (each as defined in MiFID II); and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the “Target Market Assessment“). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that: the price of the Placing Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Placing Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Placing Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the offer.

 

Caution regarding forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this announcement are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ”believe”, ”could”, “should”, “expect”, ”envisage”, ”estimate”, ”intend”, ”may”, ”plan”, ”potentially”, ”will” or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors’ current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Directors’ current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors.

 

A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results and expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. In addition, other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially include the ability of the Company to successfully licence its programmes, risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions, competition, environmental and other regulatory changes, actions by governmental authorities, the availability of capital markets or other sources of funding, reliance on key personnel, uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law or any relevant AIM Rule requirements, in providing this information the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any of the forward-looking statements or to advise of any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Exercise of options

Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

(“Faron”)

 

Exercise of options

Issue of equity

 

Company announcement, June 1, 2022 at 07:00 am BST / 9:00 am EEST

 

TURKU, FINLAND / BOSTON, MA – Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (AIM: FARN, First North: FARON), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on building the future of immunotherapy by harnessing the power of the immune system to tackle cancer and inflammation, announces that it has received notifications from option holders to exercise 2015D options over 25,000 shares in the Company at an exercise price of EUR 1.09 (approx. GBP 0.93) per share under the Company’s 2015 Option Plan (“New Ordinary Shares”). The terms and conditions of the 2015 Option Plan are available on the Company’s website at https://www.faron.com/sites/default/files/Option%20Plan%202015_Terms%20and%20Conditions_20200518.pdf.

 

Applications have been made to the London Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Helsinki to admit the New Ordinary Shares to trading on AIM and Nasdaq First North Growth Market, respectively. Admission of the New Ordinary Shares is expected to occur on or around June 7, 2022 following issue and registration of the New Ordinary Shares on or around June 6, 2022 (“Registration”). The New Ordinary Shares will rank pari passu with existing ordinary shares.

 

Faron’s enlarged issued number of shares immediately following Registration will be 53,257,032 ordinary shares with voting rights attached. The Company has no shares in treasury; therefore upon, and subject to, Registration, the total number of voting rights in Faron will be 53,257,032. This figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine whether they are required to notify an interest in, or a change to their interest in, the issued shares and votes of the Company.

 

For more information please contact:

 

Investor Contact

Faron Pharmaceuticals

Julia Balanova

VP, Investor Relations

julia.balanova@faron.com

investor.relations@faron.com

Phone: +1 (917) 306-6096

 

Media Contact

Faron Pharmaceuticals

Eric Van Zanten

VP, Communications

eric.vanzanten@faron.com

Phone: +1 (610) 529-6219

 

Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, Nomad

Sandy Jamieson, Jo Turner

Phone: +44 (0) 207 213 0880

 

Peel Hunt LLP, Broker

Christopher Golden, James Steel

Phone: +44 (0) 20 7418 8900

 

Sisu Partners Oy, Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North

Juha Karttunen

Phone: +358 (0)40 555 4727

Jukka Järvelä

Phone: +358 (0)50 553 8990

 

Consilium Strategic Communications

Mary-Jane Elliott, David Daley, Lindsey Neville

faron@consilium-comms.com

Phone: +44 (0)20 3709 5700

 

About Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd. 

Faron (AIM: FARN, First North: FARON) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for medical conditions with significant unmet needs caused by dysfunction of our immune system. The Company currently has a pipeline based on the receptors involved in regulation of immune response in oncology, organ damage and bone marrow regeneration. Bexmarilimab, a novel anti-Clever-1 humanized antibody, is its investigative precision immunotherapy with the potential to provide permanent immune stimulation for difficult-to-treat cancers through targeting myeloid function. Currently in Phase I/II clinical development as a potential therapy for patients with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, bexmarilimab has potential as a single-agent therapy or in combination with other standard treatments including immune checkpoint molecules. Traumakine is an investigational intravenous (IV) interferon beta-1a therapy for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and other ischemic or hyperinflammatory conditions. Traumakine is currently being evaluated by the 59th Medical Wing of the US Air Force and the US Department of Defense for the prevention of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) after ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by a major trauma.  Faron is based in Turku, Finland. Further information is available at www.faron.com.

 

Exercise of options

Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd

(“Faron or the “Company”)

Exercise of options

Issue of equity

Company announcement, 7 October 2021 at 02:00 AM (EDT) / 07:00 AM (BST) / 09:00 AM (EEST)

TURKU, FINLAND / BOSTON, MA – Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (AIM: FARN, First North: FARON), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, announces that it has received notifications from option holders to exercise B options over 2,000 ordinary shares in the Company at an exercise price of EUR 2.90 (approx. GBP 2.49) and D options over 9,000 shares in the Company at an exercise price of EUR 1.09 (approx. GBP 0.93) per share under the Company’s 2015 Option Plan (“New Ordinary Shares”). The terms and conditions of the 2015 Option Plan are available on the Company’s website: Option Plan 2015.

Applications will be made to the London Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Helsinki to admit the New Ordinary Shares to trading on AIM and Nasdaq First North Growth Market, respectively. Admission of the New Ordinary Shares is expected to occur on or around 15 October 2021 following issue and registration of the New Ordinary Shares on or around 14 October 2021 (“Registration”). The New Ordinary Shares will rank pari passu with existing ordinary shares.

Faron’s enlarged issued number of shares immediately following Registration will be 53,232,032 ordinary shares with voting rights attached. The Company has no shares in treasury; therefore upon, and subject to, Registration, the total number of voting rights in Faron will be 53,232,032. This figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine whether they are required to notify an interest in, or a change to their interest in, the issued shares and votes of the Company.

For more information please contact:

Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Dr Markku Jalkanen, Chief Executive Officer

investor.relations@faron.com

Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, Nomad

Sandy Jamieson, Jo Turner

Phone: +44 207 213 0880

Peel Hunt LLP, Broker

Christopher Golden, James Steel

Phone: +44 (0) 20 7418 8900

Sisu Partners Oy, Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North

Juha Karttunen

Phone: +358 (0)40 555 4727

Jukka Järvelä

Phone: +358 (0)50 553 8990

Consilium Strategic Communications

Mary-Jane Elliott, David Daley, Lindsey Neville

faron@consilium-comms.com

Phone: +44 (0)20 3709 5700

Stern Investor Relations

Julie Seidel

julie.seidel@sternir.com

Phone: +1 (212) 362-1200
 

About Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Faron (AIM: FARN, First North: FARON) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for medical conditions with significant unmet needs caused by dysfunction of our immune system. The Company currently has a pipeline based on the receptors involved in regulation of immune response in oncology, organ damage and bone marrow regeneration. Bexmarilimab, a novel anti-Clever-1 humanized antibody, is its investigative precision immunotherapy with the potential to provide permanent immune stimulation for difficult-to-treat cancers through targeting myeloid function. Currently in Phase I/II clinical development as a potential therapy for patients with untreatable solid tumors, bexmarilimab has potential as a single-agent therapy or in combination with other standard treatments including immune checkpoint molecules. Traumakine is an investigational intravenous (IV) interferon beta-1a therapy for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and other ischemic or hyperinflammatory conditions. Traumakine is currently being evaluated in global trials as a potential treatment for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and with the 59th Medical Wing of the US Air Force and the US Department of Defense for the prevention of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) after ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by a major trauma.  Faron is based in Turku, Finland. Further information is available at www.faron.com.

Registration of Placing Shares

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, SINGAPORE, HONG KONG OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS ONLY DIRECTED AT PERSONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM THAT ARE QUALIFIED INVESTORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 2(E) OF REGULATION 2017/1129/EU AS INCORPORATED INTO UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 THAT ARE ALSO (I) INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005 (THE “ORDER”) AND/OR (II) HIGH NET WORTH ENTITIES, AND OTHER PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY LAWFULLY BE COMMUNICATED, FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(A) TO (E) OF THE ORDER (EACH SUCH PERSON BEING REFERRED TO AS A “RELEVANT PERSON”). ACCORDINGLY, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND ITS CONTENTS MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS. PERSONS INTO WHOSE POSSESSION THIS ANNOUNCEMENT COMES ARE REQUIRED TO INFORM THEMSELVES ABOUT AND TO OBSERVE ANY SUCH RESTRICTIONS.

Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy

(“Faron” or the “Company”)

Registration of Placing Shares with the Trade Register

Capitalised terms used in this announcement have the meanings given to them in the announcement made on 11 February 2021 regarding the proposed issue and placing of new ordinary shares in the Company (the “Launch Announcement“) and the subsequent announcement released at 7.00 a.m. GMT / 9.00 a.m. EET on 12 February 2021 (the “Pricing and Results Announcement”), unless the context provides otherwise.

Company announcement, 12 February 2021 at 3:00 p.m. GMT / 5:00 p.m. EET

TURKU – FINLAND – Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy (First North: FARON, AIM: FARN)the clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, has as previously announced completed the Placing. The Company announced the results of the Placing on 12 February 2021.

A total of 3,521,127 Placing Shares subscribed for in the Placing have been issued and registered in the Trade Register today on 12 February 2021. The Placing Shares confer a right to dividends and other shareholder rights from their registration with the Trade Register. Following the Placing, the aggregate number of ordinary shares in the Company is 50,417,874. One ordinary share entitles to one vote in the general meeting of the Company. The Company holds no treasury shares.

Trading in the Placing Shares is expected to commence on First North and AIM latest on or around 16 February 2021.

For more information please contact:

Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy

Dr Markku Jalkanen, Chief Executive Officer

investor.relations@faron.com

Swedbank AB (publ), Finnish Branch, Financial Adviser

Mika Karikoski (Corporate Finance)

Phone: +358 (0)40 741 6959

Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, Nomad

Sandy Jamieson, Jo Turner, Mark Rogers

Phone: + 44 207 213 0880

Sisu Partners Oy, Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North

Juha Karttunen

Phone: +358 40 555 4727

Jukka Järvelä

Phone: +358 50 553 8990

Consilium Strategic Communications

Mary-Jane Elliott, David Daley, Lindsey Neville

Phone: +44 (0)20 3709 5700

E-mail: faron@consilium-comms.com

Stern Investor Relations

Julie Seidel, Naina Zaman

Phone: +1 (212) 362-1200

E-mail: julie.seidel@sternir.com

About Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Faron (AIM: FARN, First North: FARON) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for medical conditions with significant unmet needs. The Company currently has a pipeline based on the receptors involved in regulation of immune response in oncology and organ damage. Bexmarilimab is its investigative precision immunotherapy with the potential to provide permanent immune stimulation for difficult-to-treat cancers through targeting myeloid function. A novel anti-Clever-1 humanised antibody, bexmarilimab targets Clever-1 positive (Common Lymphatic Endothelial and Vascular Endothelial Receptor 1) tumour associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumour microenvironment, converting these highly immunosuppressive M2 macrophages to immune stimulating M1 macrophages. With the ability to switch immune suppression to immune activation in various conditions, bexmarilimab has potential across oncology, infectious diseases and vaccine development. Currently in phase I/II clinical development as a potential therapy for patients with untreatable solid tumours, bexmarilimab has potential as a single-agent therapy or in combination with other standard treatments including immune checkpoint molecules. Traumakine is an investigational intravenous (IV) interferon beta-1a therapy for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and other ischemic or hyperinflammatory conditions. In addition to its profound antiviral effect, Traumakine upregulates the cell surface protein Cluster of Differentiation 73 (CD73), an enzyme that suppresses pro-inflammatory responses in endothelial cells. Using an IV administration of interferon beta-1a provides optimal exposure to the lung vasculature, increasing protection against serious lung complications and helping to prevent vascular leakage by enhancing endothelial barrier function. Traumakine is currently being evaluated in global trials as a potential treatment for hospitalised patients with COVID-19. As part of a working relationship established with Faron, the 59th Medical Wing of the US Air Force and the US Department of Defense are also evaluating Traumakine’s role in preventing multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) after ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by a major trauma.  Faron is based in Turku, Finland. Further information is available at www.faron.com.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Market Abuse Regulation

Market soundings, as defined in Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (“MAR“), were taken in respect of the proposed Placing with the result that certain persons became aware of inside information, as permitted by MAR. That inside information in relation to the Placing is set out in this announcement and has been disclosed as soon as possible in accordance with paragraph 7 of article 17 of MAR. Therefore, those persons that received inside information in such market sounding are no longer in possession of inside information relating to the Company and its securities.

MiFID II

Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended (“MiFID II“); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures (together, the “MiFID II Product Governance Requirements“), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any “manufacturer” (for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Placing Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Placing Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of: (a) retail investors, (b) investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and (c) eligible counterparties (each as defined in MiFID II); and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the “Target Market Assessment“). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that: the price of the Placing Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Placing Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Placing Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the offer.

Proposed Issue and Placing of Shares

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, SINGAPORE, HONG KONG OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE EU REGULATION 596/2014 (“MAR”) AND ARTICLE 7 OF MAR AS INCORPORATED INTO UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 (“UK MAR”).

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR DISPOSE OF ANY SECURITIES IN FARON PHARMACEUTICALS OY (“FARON”) PURSUANT TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION REFERRED TO IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS THEREFORE DIRECTED ONLY AT, IN A MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA, PERSONS WHO ARE “QUALIFIED INVESTORS” AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 2(E) OF THE EU PROSPECTUS REGULATION (WHICH MEANS REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129) (THE “PROSPECTUS REGULATION”). THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR CONTAIN ANY INVITATION, SOLICITATION, RECOMMENDATION, OFFER OR ADVICE TO ANY PERSON TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR DISPOSE OF ANY SECURITIES IN FARON OR ANY OTHER ENTITY IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH ANY SUCH OFFER WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

IN ADDITION, IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS ONLY DIRECTED AT PERSONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM THAT ARE QUALIFIED INVESTORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 2(E) OF THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION AS INCORPORATED INTO UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 THAT ARE ALSO (I) INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005 (THE “ORDER”) AND/OR (II) HIGH NET WORTH ENTITIES, AND OTHER PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY LAWFULLY BE COMMUNICATED, FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(A) TO (E) OF THE ORDER (EACH SUCH PERSON, TOGETHER WITH QUALIFIED INVESTORS AS DEFINED IN THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION, BEING REFERRED TO AS A “RELEVANT PERSON”).

ACCORDINGLY, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND ITS CONTENTS MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS. PERSONS INTO WHOSE POSSESSION THIS ANNOUNCEMENT COMES ARE REQUIRED TO INFORM THEMSELVES ABOUT AND TO OBSERVE ANY SUCH RESTRICTIONS.

THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION REFERRED TO IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WOULD BE MADE PURSUANT TO A PRIVATE PLACEMENT EXEMPTION UNDER THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION FROM THE REQUIREMENTS TO PRODUCE A PROSPECTUS UNDER THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION FOR OFFERS OF SECURITIES. FARON HAS NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION, NOR WILL IT TAKE ANY ACTION, TO OFFER ANY OF THE PLACING SHARES THAT ARE TO BE SUBSCRIBED FOR PURSUANT TO THE TRANSACTION REFERRED TO IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OR ANY DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE PLACING TO THE PUBLIC IN FINLAND, SWEDEN, NORWAY OR DENMARK, OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN ANY FORM WHICH WOULD CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO THE PUBLIC.

THE PLACING SHARES WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR TRANSFERRED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES. THE PLACING SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE US SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY IN THE UNITED STATES, NOR HAVE ANY OF THE FOREGOING AUTHORITIES PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE PLACING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE IN THE UNITED STATES.

Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy

(“Faron” or the “Company”)

Proposed Issue and Placing of Shares to raise approximately EUR 15 million

Company announcement, 11 February 2021 at 4:30 p.m. GMT / 6:30 p.m. EET

Inside information

TURKU – FINLAND – Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy (First North: FARON, AIM: FARN)the clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, today announces a proposed private placement of new ordinary shares (“Placing Shares”) to raise approximately EUR 15 million before expenses to a limited number of institutional investors (“Placing”). Swedbank AB (publ), Finnish Branch (“Swedbank”) is acting as sole bookrunner and financial adviser to the Company for the Placing in association with Kepler Cheuvreux S.A.

The Placing will be conducted in a private placement by way of an accelerated book-building process in which selected investors may submit bids for the Placing Shares (the “Bookbuild”). The subscription price per Placing Share is to be determined on the basis of the bids received in the Bookbuild. The Bookbuild is expected to commence immediately following this announcement and is expected to end by 9:00 a.m. EET on 12 February 2021 at the latest. The Bookbuild may be discontinued at any time during the book-building process. Following the close of the Bookbuild, the Board of Directors of Faron (the “Board“) will make the decision on the issue of the Placing Shares, including, as applicable, acceptance of the received bids, the number of Placing Shares to be issued and the subscription price per Placing Share (the “Issue Price“). The Company has received non-binding indications of interest from potential investors to subscribe for the Placing Shares under the Placing during a pre-marketing process. In addition, the Company and Swedbank have obtained from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund (“EIC”) a binding and irrevocable pre-commitment to subscribe for one third (1/3) of the Placing Shares for an aggregate amount of maximum EUR 10 million and minimum EUR 3 million. EIC’s pre-commitment is subject to certain customary conditions.

As soon as practicable after the close of the Bookbuild, and following receipt of binding commitments from investors, an announcement will be made on the final number of the Placing Shares to be issued and the Issue Price as well as the expected registration date of the Placing Shares.

Further details on the terms and conditions of the Placing are set out below.

The Placing Shares are expected to be issued and admitted to trading on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland (“First North”) and AIM (“AIM”) in London as set out below.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • A proposed private placement to raise approximately EUR 15 million conducted by way of an accelerated book-building, directed to a limited number of institutional and other investors, in which Swedbank uses reasonable endeavours to procure subscriptions for Placing Shares.
  • EIC has provided a binding and irrevocable pre-commitment to subscribe for one third (1/3) of the Placing Shares for an aggregate amount of maximum EUR 10 million and minimum EUR 3 million, subject to certain conditions.
  • The net proceeds of the Placing would be primarily used for the expansion of the bexmarilimab clinical development programme and manufacturing. Some proceeds would also be used to support the clinical development of TraumakineÒ and its new manufacturing process, and in strengthening the balance sheet.
  • As information not disclosed earlier, the cash balance held by the Company as of 31 December 2020 was ca. €4.1 million.
  • Swedbank acts as Lead Manager and Sole Bookrunner of the Placing and Financial Adviser to the Company in association with Kepler Cheuvreux.

Dr Markku Jalkanen, Chief Executive Officer of Faron, said: “We have continued to accelerate the clinical development of both of our lead pipeline programs, bexmarilimab and traumakine, over recent months and we are continually gaining valuable insights into these promising immunotherapy candidates. It is a significant achievement to  have the support from the European Innovation Council (EIC),  firstly in the form of a grant in summer 2020 and now with the pre-commitment,  which is EIC’s first investment in a publicly listed company.  This fundraise will enable us to continue driving our two clinical programmes forward. I am looking forward to providing further updates over the coming months.” 

REASONS FOR THE PROPOSED PLACING

The Faron pipeline has advanced significantly during the last 12-18 months. This pipeline development on both key projects (bexmarilimab and Traumakine) provides an opportunity to build further value for shareholders. The recent external support for Traumakine’s HIBISCUS study from the US Department of Defense (DoD) allows the Company to focus on the design of new pivotal bexmarilimab clinical trials, which could be accelerated with further resources. This additional data generation, especially to support bexmarilimab’s expansion into new combination studies in lung cancer and acute myeloid leukaemia, together with any MATINS study cancer cohorts (hard-to-treat-solid tumours) will allow full realisation of the potential upside connected to these projects. Part of this development includes establishing a Company unit in the US (Boston) to handle the increasing US activities (FDA and clinical site interactions) that the pipeline development requires.

The primary reason for conducting the Placing is to accelerate and expand the clinical development of the Company’s main drug candidates, bexmarilimab and Traumakine (intravenous interferon beta).

Bexmarilimab

  • testing higher frequency of dosing to investigate potential for enhanced clinical responses;
  • three new trials to study bexmarilimab treatment in a neoadjuvant setting, in combination with a PD(L)-1 checkpoint inhibitor and in haematological malignancies; and
  • continuation of the MATINS trial, where five solid tumour cohorts have demonstrated early signs of clinical benefit in the first two stages (Part I and II) of the study.

Traumakine

  • launch of the phase II/III HIBISCUS study in the US; and
  • prepararations to expand into additional clinical indications. 

General corporate

  • establishment of an operational unit in the US;
  • investment in the manufacturing of both bexmarilimab and intravenous interferon beta; and
  • strengthening of the Company’s balance sheet. 

DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED PLACING AND ISSUE OF EQUITY

The proposed Placing is being carried out within the authorisation granted to the Board by shareholders at the Company’s Annual General Meeting held on 18 May 2020 to issue up to a total of 8,650,000 ordinary shares in the Company in a directed share issue and in deviation from the shareholders’ pre-emptive rights. As no shares have been issued within the outstanding authority, the Company may issue up to a maximum of 8,650,000 new ordinary shares pursuant to the Placing, which represents approximately 18.4 per cent of all the issued shares and votes in the Company immediately prior to the Placing.

The Placing, arranged by Swedbank in association with Kepler Cheuvreux, will be conducted in a private placement by way of the Bookbuild, which is an accelerated book-building process in which selected investors may submit bids for the Placing Shares. The Issue Price is to be determined on the basis of the bids received in the Bookbuild. The Bookbuild is expected to commence immediately following this announcement and is expected to end by 9:00 EET a.m. on 12 February 2021 at the latest. The Bookbuild may be discontinued at any time during the book-building process. Following the close of the Bookbuild, the Board will make the decision on the issue of the Placing Shares, including, as applicable, acceptance of the received bids, the number of Placing Shares to be issued and the Issue Price. As soon as practicable after the close of the Bookbuild, receipt of binding commitments from investors and the Board having resolved on carrying out the Placing, an announcement will be made on the final outcome of the Bookbuild and, as applicable, the number of the Placing Shares to be issued and the Issue Price as well as the expected registration date of the Placing Shares.

In connection with the proposed Placing, the Company has entered into a placing agreement with Swedbank (the “Placing Agreement“). Pursuant to the terms of the Placing Agreement, Swedbank has agreed to use its reasonable endeavours to procure the subscription of Placing Shares. In addition, the Company and Swedbank have obtained a binding and irrevocable pre-commitment from EIC to subscribe for one third (1/3) of the total amount of the Placing Shares for an aggregate amount of maximum EUR 10 million and minimum EUR 3 million. EIC’s pre-commitment is subject to certain customary conditions.

The Placing Agreement contains customary warranties and an indemnity from the Company in favour of Swedbank together with provisions which enable Swedbank to terminate the Placing Agreement in certain circumstances before the completion of the Bookbuild and the Board’s resolution on carrying out the Placing, including where there has been a material breach of any of the warranties contained in the Placing Agreement or where there is a material adverse change, e.g., in the business or financial affairs of the Company. The Company has agreed to pay Swedbank certain commissions and fees in connection with the Placing. Pursuant to the terms of the Placing Agreement, Swedbank has agreed to a limited settlement underwriting covering payments of the subscription prices to be made by subscribers of the Placing Shares to the Company upon the Board having resolved on carrying out the Placing after the close of the Bookbuild, on the Issue Price, on approving the binding subscriptions received through the Bookbuild and on confirming such final number of the Placing Shares.

 The Placing is conditional upon, inter alia:

·     the Placing Agreement having become unconditional in all respects;

·     binding commitments being received from investors;

·     the Board resolving to carry out the Placing at the Issue Price and the Company and Swedbank entering into a separate pricing agreement confirming the Issue Price and the number of the Placing Shares; and

·     the Placing Shares being issued and being registered with the Finnish Trade Register.

In connection with the Placing, Faron has entered into a lock-up undertaking, under which it has, subject to certain exceptions, agreed not to issue or sell any shares in Faron for a period of ninety days after the closing of the Placing.

Subject to all conditions being met, the Placing Shares are expected to be entered in the Finnish Trade Register approximately on 12 February 2021.

ISSUE OF THE PLACING SHARES AND ADMISSION TO TRADING

Subject to all conditions being met and the Placing Shares being subscribed for, the Placing Shares are expected to be issued in one tranche. To the extent shares are subscribed for and subject to all conditions being met, application will then be made for the admission of the Placing Shares to trading on First North and AIM with said admission expected to become effective and trading to commence on or around 16 February 2021 (the “Admission“). The dates above may be subject to change.

A further announcement will be made to confirm the outcome of the Placing (subject to, inter alia, satisfaction of the above conditions) and to confirm the expected timing of issue of the Placing Shares and the Admission.

Upon registration with the Finnish Trade Register, the Placing Shares will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing shares of the Company.

NOTE REGARDING THE COMPANY’S FINANCIAL REPORTING IN 2021

The Company will publish its Financial Statement Release and its Annual Report 2020 (including financial statements) on 25 March 2021.

For more information please contact:

Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy

Dr Markku Jalkanen, Chief Executive Officer

investor.relations@faron.com

Swedbank AB (publ), Finnish Branch, Financial Adviser

Mika Karikoski (Corporate Finance)

Phone: +358 (0)40 741 6959

Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, Nomad

Sandy Jamieson, Jo Turner, Mark Rogers

Phone: + 44 207 213 0880

Sisu Partners Oy, Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North

Juha Karttunen

Phone: +358 40 555 4727

Jukka Järvelä

Phone: +358 50 553 8990

Consilium Strategic Communications

Mary-Jane Elliott, David Daley, Lindsey Neville

Phone: +44 (0)20 3709 5700

E-mail: faron@consilium-comms.com

Stern Investor Relations

Julie Seidel

Phone: +1 (212) 362-1200

E-mail: julie.seidel@sternir.com  

About Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Faron (AIM: FARN, First North: FARON) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for medical conditions with significant unmet needs. The Company currently has a pipeline based on the receptors involved in regulation of immune response in oncology and organ damage. Bexmarilimab is its investigative precision immunotherapy with the potential to provide permanent immune stimulation for difficult-to-treat cancers through targeting myeloid function. A novel anti-Clever-1 humanised antibody, bexmarilimab targets Clever-1 positive (Common Lymphatic Endothelial and Vascular Endothelial Receptor 1) tumour associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumour microenvironment, converting these highly immunosuppressive M2 macrophages to immune stimulating M1 macrophages. With the ability to switch immune suppression to immune activation in various conditions, bexmarilimab has potential across oncology, infectious diseases and vaccine development. Currently in phase I/II clinical development as a potential therapy for patients with untreatable solid tumours, bexmarilimab has potential as a single-agent therapy or in combination with other standard treatments including immune checkpoint molecules. Traumakine is an investigational intravenous (IV) interferon beta-1a therapy for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and other ischemic or hyperinflammatory conditions. In addition to its profound antiviral effect, Traumakine upregulates the cell surface protein Cluster of Differentiation 73 (CD73), an enzyme that suppresses pro-inflammatory responses in endothelial cells. Using an IV administration of interferon beta-1a provides optimal exposure to the lung vasculature, increasing protection against serious lung complications and helping to prevent vascular leakage by enhancing endothelial barrier function. Traumakine is currently being evaluated in global trials as a potential treatment for hospitalised patients with COVID-19. As part of a working relationship established with Faron, the 59th Medical Wing of the US Air Force and the US Department of Defense are also evaluating Traumakine’s role in preventing multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) after ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by a major trauma.  Faron is based in Turku, Finland. Further information is available at www.faron.com.

Aboutthe European Innovation CouncilFund

Established in June 2020, the European Innovation Council (“EIC”) Fund is a breakthrough initiative of the Commission to make direct equity and quasi-equity investments (between €500.000 and €15 million) in the capital of start-ups and SMEs. The EIC Fund aims to fill a critical financing gap faced by innovative companies when bringing their technologies to the commercialisation stage. The Fund helps to fill this financing gap at the start-up stage where the EU venture capital market still underperforms compared to the global venture capital market. Its main purpose is not to maximise the return on the investments, but to have a high impact by accompanying companies with breakthrough and disruptive technologies in their growth as patient capital investor.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Market Abuse Regulation

Market soundings, as defined in Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (“MAR“), were taken in respect of the proposed Placing with the result that certain persons became aware of inside information, as permitted by MAR. That inside information in relation to the Placing is set out in this announcement and has been disclosed as soon as possible in accordance with paragraph 7 of article 17 of MAR. Therefore, those persons that received inside information in such market sounding are no longer in possession of inside information relating to the Company and its securities.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of MAR and Article 7 of UK MAR.

MiFID II

Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended (“MiFID II“); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures (together, the “MiFID II Product Governance Requirements“), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any “manufacturer” (for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Placing Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Placing Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of: (a) retail investors, (b) investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and (c) eligible counterparties (each as defined in MiFID II); and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the “Target Market Assessment“). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that: the price of the Placing Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Placing Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Placing Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the offer.

Caution regarding forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this announcement are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ”believe”, ”could”, “should”, “expect”, ”envisage”, ”estimate”, ”intend”, ”may”, ”plan”, ”potentially”, ”will” or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors’ current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Directors’ current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors.

A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results and expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. In addition, other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially include the ability of the Company to successfully licence its programmes, risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions, competition, environmental and other regulatory changes, actions by governmental authorities, the availability of capital markets or other sources of funding, reliance on key personnel, uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law or any relevant AIM Rule requirements, in providing this information the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any of the forward-looking statements or to advise of any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Exercise of options  Issue of equity

Company announcement, 20 November 2020 at 9.00 (EET)

TURKU, FINLAND – Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy (AIM: FARN, First North: FARON), the clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, announces that it has received notifications from option holders to exercise D options over 82,000 ordinary shares in the Company at an exercise price of EUR 1.09 (approx. GBP 0.97) per share under the Company’s 2015 Option Plan (“New Ordinary Shares”). The terms and conditions of the 2015 Option Plan are available on the Company’s website at https://www.faron.com/sites/default/files/Option%20Plan%202015_Terms%20and%20Conditions_20200518.pdf.

Included in the number of New Ordinary Shares are 80,000 D options exercised by Dr Markku Jalkanen, Faron’s CEO.

Applications will be made to the London Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Helsinki to admit the New Ordinary Shares to trading on AIM and Nasdaq First North Growth Market, respectively. Admission of the New Ordinary Shares is expected to occur on or around 1 December 2020 following issue and registration of the New Ordinary Shares on or around 30 November 2020 (“Registration”). The New Ordinary Shares will rank pari passu with existing ordinary shares.

Faron’s enlarged issued number of shares immediately following Registration will be 46,896,747 ordinary shares with voting rights attached. The Company has no shares in treasury; therefore upon, and subject to, Registration, the total number of voting rights in Faron will be 46,896,747. This figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine whether they are required to notify an interest in, or a change to their interest in, the issued shares and votes of the Company.

 

Notification of a Transaction pursuant to Article 19(1) of Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014

1 Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated
a. Name Markku Jalkanen
2 Reason for notification
a. Position/Status Person discharging managerial responsibilities
b. Initial notification/Amendment Initial notification
3 Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a. Name Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy
b. LEI 7437009H31TO1DC0EB42
4 Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
a. Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument

Identification Code

Options over ordinary shares

ISIN: FI4000153309

b. Nature of the transaction Exercise of options made pursuant to the Faron Option Plan 2015 exercisable at €1.09 per ordinary share
c. Price(s) and volume(s)
Price(s) Volume(s)
€1.09
80,000
d. Aggregated information– Aggregated Volume– Price 80,000€1.09
e. Date of the transaction 19 November 2020
f. Place of the transaction Turku, Finland

Exercise of options

Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy

(“Faron” or the “Company”)

Exercise of options

Issue of equity

Company announcement, 24 September 2020 at 9.15 (EEST)

TURKU, FINLAND – Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy (AIM: FARN, First North: FARON), the clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, announces that it has received notifications from option holders to exercise D options over 15,000 ordinary shares in the Company at an exercise price of EUR 1.09 (approx. GBP 1.00) per share under the Company’s 2015 Option Plan (“New Ordinary Shares”). The terms and conditions of the 2015 Option Plan are available on the Company’s website at https://www.faron.com/sites/default/files/Option%20Plan%202015_Terms%20and%20Conditions_20200518.pdf.

Applications will be made to the London Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Helsinki to admit the New Ordinary Shares to trading on AIM and Nasdaq First North Growth Market, respectively. Admission of the New Ordinary Shares is expected to occur on or around 5 October 2020 following issue and registration of the New Ordinary Shares on or around 2 October 2020 (“Registration”). The New Ordinary Shares will rank pari passu with existing ordinary shares.

Faron’s enlarged issued number of shares immediately following Registration will be 46,814,747 ordinary shares with voting rights attached. The Company has no shares in treasury; therefore upon, and subject to, Registration, the total number of voting rights in Faron will be 46,814,747. This figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine whether they are required to notify an interest in, or a change to their interest in, the issued shares and votes of the Company.

For more information please contact:

Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy

Dr Markku Jalkanen, Chief Executive Officer

investor.relations@faron.com 

Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, Nomad

Sandy Jamieson, Jo Turner, Mark Rogers

Phone: +44 207 213 0880

Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited, Broker

Rupert Dearden

Phone: +44 207 886 2500

Sisu Partners Oy, Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North

Juha Karttunen, Jussi Majamaa

Phone: +358 (0)40 555 4727

Consilium Strategic Communications

Mary-Jane Elliott, David Daley, Lindsey Neville

Phone: +44 (0)20 3709 5700

Email: faron@consilium-comms.com

Stern Investor Relations, Inc.

Julie Seidel, Naina Zaman

Phone: +1 (212) 362-1200

Email: faron@sternir.com 


About Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy

Faron (AIM: FARN, First North: FARON) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for medical conditions with significant unmet needs. The Company currently has a pipeline based on the receptors involved in regulation of immune response in oncology and organ damage. Clevegen®, its precision immunotherapy, is a novel anti-Clever-1 antibody with the ability to switch immune suppression to immune activation in various conditions, with potential across oncology, infectious disease and vaccine development. Currently in phase I/II clinical development as a novel macrophage checkpoint immunotherapy for patients with untreatable solid tumours, Clevegen® has potential as a single-agent therapy or in combination with other standard treatments including immune checkpoint molecules. Traumakine®, the Company’s pipeline candidate to prevent vascular leakage and organ failures, has completed a phase III clinical trial in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Plans for its future development are being finalised to avoid interfering steroid use together with Traumakine®. Faron is based in Turku, Finland. Further information is available at www.faron.com.

Exercise of options

Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy

(“Faron” or the “Company”)

Exercise of options

Issue of equity

Company announcement, 13 May 2020 at 15.00 (EEST)

TURKU, FINLAND – Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy (AIM: FARN, First North: FARON), the clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, announces that it has received notifications from option holders to exercise D options over 9,000 ordinary shares in the Company at an exercise price of €1.09 per share under the Company’s 2015 Option Plan (“New Ordinary Shares”). The terms and conditions of the 2015 Option Plan are available on the Company’s website at https://www.faron.com/sites/default/files/Faron_Pharmaceuticals_Option_Plan_2015_with_proposed_amendments_2017.pdf.

Applications will be made to the London Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Helsinki to admit the New Ordinary Shares to trading on AIM and Nasdaq First North Growth Market, respectively. Admission of the New Ordinary Shares is expected to occur on or around 25 May 2020 following issue and registration of the New Ordinary Shares on or around 22 May 2020 (“Registration”). The New Ordinary Shares will rank pari passu with existing ordinary shares.

Faron’s enlarged issued number of shares immediately following Registration will be 46,799,747 ordinary shares with voting rights attached. The Company has no shares in treasury; therefore upon, and subject to, Registration, the total number of voting rights in Faron will be 46,799,747. This figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine whether they are required to notify an interest in, or a change to their interest in, the issued shares and votes of the Company.

For more information please contact:

Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy

Dr Markku Jalkanen, Chief Executive Officer

investor.relations@faron.com 

Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited, Nomad and Broker

Emma Earl, Freddy Crossley (Corporate Finance)

James Stearns (Corporate Broking)

Phone: +44 207 886 2500

Sisu Partners Oy, Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North

Juha Karttunen, Jussi Majamaa

Phone: +358 (0)40 555 4727

Consilium Strategic Communications

Mary-Jane Elliott, David Daley, Lindsey Neville

Phone: +44 (0)20 3709 5700

E-mail: faron@consilium-comms.com


About Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy

Faron (AIM: FARN, First North: FARON) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for medical conditions with significant unmet needs. The Company currently has a pipeline based on the receptors involved in regulation of immune response in oncology and organ damage. Clevegen®, its precision immunotherapy, is a novel anti-Clever-1 antibody with the ability to switch immune suppression to immune activation in various conditions, with potential across oncology, infectious disease and vaccine development. Currently in phase I/II clinical development as a novel macrophage checkpoint immunotherapy for patients with untreatable solid tumours, Clevegen® has potential as a single-agent therapy or in combination with other standard treatments including immune checkpoint molecules. Traumakine®, the Company’s pipeline candidate to prevent vascular leakage and organ failures, has completed a phase III clinical trial in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Plans for its future development are being finalised to avoid interfering steroid use together with Traumakine®. Faron is based in Turku, Finland. Further information is available at www.faron.com.

Proposed Placing

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, SINGAPORE, HONG KONG OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE EU REGULATION 596/2014.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR DISPOSE OF ANY SECURITIES IN FARON PHARMACEUTICALS OY (“FARON”) PURSUANT TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION REFERRED TO IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS THEREFORE DIRECTED ONLY AT: (A) IN A MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA, PERSONS WHO ARE “QUALIFIED INVESTORS” AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 2(E) OF THE EU PROSPECTUS REGULATION (WHICH MEANS REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129) (THE “PROSPECTUS REGULATION”); AND (B) IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, PERSONS WHO ARE: (I) “INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS” WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005 (THE “ORDER”); (II) PERSONS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(A) TO (D) (“HIGH NET WORTH COMPANIES, UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS, ETC”) OF THE ORDER; OR (III) PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE BE LAWFULLY COMMUNICATED (ALL SUCH PERSONS TOGETHER BEING REFERRED TO AS “RELEVANT PERSONS”). THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR CONTAIN ANY INVITATION, SOLICITATION, RECOMMENDATION, OFFER OR ADVICE TO ANY PERSON TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR DISPOSE OF ANY SECURITIES IN FARON OR ANY OTHER ENTITY IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH ANY SUCH OFFER WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. ACCORDINGLY, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND ITS CONTENTS MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS. PERSONS INTO WHOSE POSSESSION THIS ANNOUNCEMENT COMES ARE REQUIRED TO INFORM THEMSELVES ABOUT AND TO OBSERVE ANY SUCH RESTRICTIONS.

THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION REFERRED TO IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WOULD BE MADE PURSUANT TO A PRIVATE PLACEMENT EXEMPTION UNDER THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION  FROM THE REQUIREMENTS TO PRODUCE A PROSPECTUS UNDER THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION FOR OFFERS OF SECURITIES. FARON HAS NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION, NOR WILL IT TAKE ANY ACTION, TO OFFER ANY OF THE PLACING SHARES THAT ARE TO BE SUBSCRIBED FOR PURSUANT TO THE TRANSACTION REFERRED TO IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OR ANY DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE PLACING TO THE PUBLIC IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, FINLAND, SWEDEN, NORWAY OR DENMARK, OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN ANY FORM WHICH WOULD CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO THE PUBLIC.

THE PLACING SHARES WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR TRANSFERRED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES. THE PLACING SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE US SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY IN THE UNITED STATES, NOR HAVE ANY OF THE FOREGOING AUTHORITIES PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE PLACING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE IN THE UNITED STATES.

Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy

(“Faron” or the “Company”)

Proposed fundraising of a minimum of approximately €10 million through the issue of new ordinary shares

Proposed broker option to raise up to £2 million

Company announcement, 21 April 2020 at 4.45 p.m. BST/ 6.45 p.m. EEST

Inside information

TURKU – FINLAND– Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy (First North: FARON, AIM: FARN)the clinical stage biopharmaceutical company is pleased to announce a proposed placing of new ordinary shares to raise a minimum of approximately 10 million before expenses (the “Placing“). The Placing is being conducted within the Directors’ existing authority to allot ordinary shares in the capital of the Company (“Ordinary Shares“) for cash on a non-pre-emptive basis.

The Placing will be effected via a proposed private placement of new Ordinary Shares to a limited number of institutional investors in the Nordic region (the “Nordic Placing Shares” and the “Nordic Placing”) and a concurrent proposed private placement of new Ordinary Shares to UK institutional investors (the (“UK Placing Shares” and “UK Placing“). Carnegie Investment Bank AB (“Carnegie“) is acting as sole bookrunner and financial adviser to the Company for the Nordic Placing and Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited (“Panmure Gordon“) is acting as sole bookrunner and corporate broker to the Company in respect of the UK Placing.

Both the Nordic Placing and the UK Placing will be conducted by way of an accelerated bookbuild process, in the Nordic region (“Nordic Bookbuild“) and in the United Kingdom (“UK Bookbuild“) (together the “Bookbuild“) in which selected investors may submit bids for the Nordic Placing Shares or the UK Placing Shares, as applicable (together the “Placing Shares“), and  which will be launched immediately following this announcement and is expected to end by 7:00 BST/ 9:00 EEST on 22 April 2020 at the latest.  

The subscription price per Nordic Placing Share and UK Placing Share will be determined on the basis of the bids received in the bookbuild process with an Euro issue price for Nordic Placing Shares (“Nordic Issue Price“) and an equivalent Pound Sterling issue price for the UK Placing Shares  (based on the prevailing EUR/GBP exchange rate on 20 April 2020) (“UK Issue Price“). The Company has received non-binding indications of interest from potential investors to subscribe for the Placing Shares under the Placing during a pre-marketing process.

The Company has also authorised Panmure Gordon to raise up to a further £2 million before expenses by granting a broker option (the “Broker Option“), (the Broker Option together with the Placing, the “Fundraise“). The Broker Option will be exercisable from announcement of result of the Placing to approximately 13:00 BST/ 15:00 EEST on 22 April 2020. To the extent that the Broker Option is exercised, new Ordinary Shares issued pursuant to the Broker Option (Option Shares“) will be issued at the UK Issue Price.

As soon as practicable after closing of the Bookbuild, an announcement will be made to confirm the Nordic Issue Price and the equivalent UK Issue Price and the number of Nordic Placing Shares and UK Placing Shares to be issued by the Company (“Result Announcement“). Following the Result Announcement, the final number of UK Placing Shares to be issued under the UK Placing (excluding any Option Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the Broker Option) will remain subject to and conditional upon, inter alia, legally binding placing letters being received from persons who have submitted bids as part of the UK Bookbuild, and inter alia, the UK Issue Condition as described below.  Further details on the terms and conditions of the Nordic Placing and the UK Placing are set out below. The Nordic Placing and the UK Placing are subject to separate placing agreements with the Company and as also described below. It should be noted that neither of those agreements, are conditional on the other save for in respect of a minimum aggregate fundraise of approximately €10 million being achieved across the Nordic Placing and UK Placing.

The Placing Shares and, subject to exercise of the Broker Option, the Option Shares, are expected to be issued and admitted to trading on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland (“First North“) and AIM in multiple tranches as set out below. VCT/EIS investors may participate in the UK Placing (excluding the Broker Option).

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

·    Proposed Placing with institutional investors for new Ordinary Shares to raise a minimum of approximately €10 million (£8.7 million) in aggregate across the Nordic Placing and UK Placing via the Nordic Bookbuild and UK Bookbuild;

·    Broker Option to raise up to £2 million;

·    The net proceeds of the proposed Fundraise would be primarily used to commence expansion of the Company’s precision immunotherapy candidate, Clevegen®, into planned additional cancer targets in the Company’s phase I/II Matins trial and expansion of Clevegen manufacturing.

·    The net proceeds of the Fundraise will also significantly strengthen the Company’s balance sheet to support the Company during the use of Traumakine ®in the ongoing REMAP-CAP trial to study the effect of interferon beta-1a in COVID-19 and whilst the Company continues its potential licensing discussions for Clevegen and explores third party funding options for Traumakine;

·    Cash balance of the Company at 31 December 2020: EUR 7.1 million.

Dr Markku Jalkanen, Chief Executive Officer of Faron, said: “We have made significant clinical progress with both our Clevegen and Traumakine projects during the last 12 months and expect both of them to bring significant value for shareholders during the next 8-12 months. Clevegen has shown very promising clinical response in MATINS Part I stage, which we believe will transform into significant opportunity when the study moves to Part II-III expansion stages. Traumakine, on the other hand, has a new corticosteroid-free setting through the global REMAP-CAP study, which we believe is one of the most important intensive care study of the current pandemic environment.”

REASONS FOR THE PROPOSED FUNDRAISE

The primary reason for conducting the Fundraise is for expansion of the Company’s precision immunotherapy candidate, Clevegen®, into planned additional cancer targets in the Company’s phase I/II Matins trial and expansion of Clevegen manufacturing. The Company announced the completion and headline results of Part I of the Matins trial on 30 March 2020 including confirming that immune activation was observed in all subjects (except patients receiving 0.1 mg/kg) measured following treatment with Clevegen and was observed as increased circulating CD8+ T cells and CD8+/CD4+ ratio, decreased regulatory T-cells (T-regs) or a substantial increase in mobile natural killer (NK) cells in the blood. This activation was dose dependent. 12 patients showed at least a 20 per cent increase in interferon gamma and eight patients a similar increase in IP-10 chemokine production. Interferon gamma is known to restrict cancer growth and IP-10 to attract T-lymphocytes to infiltrate the tumour.

As previously announced and according to the RECIST classification, during Part I of the MATINS trial Clevegen treatment showed a clinical effect of two partial responses and seven cases of stable disease. None of the patients experiencing these effects had received the lowest dose level of 0.1mg/kg, therefore the response rate in Part I was 36 percent (9/25) among 0.3-10 mg/kg dose levels.

Subject to the outcome of the Fundraise, additional cancer types besides colorectal and ovarian to be included in Part II of the MATINS study are expected to be ER-positive breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) and gall bladder cancer, gastric cancer, cutaneous melanoma, uveal melanoma, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Part II is expected to conclude in Q3 2021.  The Company is in the process of filing for Breakthrough Therapy status with the FDA and Prime Therapy status with the European Medicines Agency, which if granted, could provide an expedited development and review path.

The anticipated proceeds of the Fundraise will strengthen the Company’s balance sheet as it continues its licensing discussions in respect of Clevegen and seeks third party financing for Traumakine® to allow initiation of a US trial following acceptance by the FDA of the Company’s protocol for a new US Traumakine trial (announced 9 March 2020). As previously announced Traumakine has also recently been included in the approved protocol for the Global Randomized, Embedded, Multifactorial Adaptive Platform Trial for Community-Acquired Pneumonia (“REMAP-CAP”) with Faron providing Traumakine and support to the trial sites.  A total of c. 7,000 ICU patients are expected to be recruited into the trial by 2022.  REMAP-CAP is a global network of leading experts, institutions and research networks with over fifty sites participating worldwide. The program recruits patients with community-acquired pneumonia, including COVID-19 patients, who require ICU care for the support of organ functions and uses an innovative trial design to efficiently evaluate multiple interventions simultaneously.  The Company is exploring options to re-establish future manufacturing of Traumakine. 

DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED PLACING AND ISSUE OF EQUITY

The proposed Fundraise is being carried out within the authorisation granted to the Board by shareholders at the Company’s Extraordinary General Meeting held on 25 October 2019 to issue up to a total of 7,871,000 ordinary shares in the Company in a directed share issue and in deviation from the shareholders’ pre-emptive rights. The remaining outstanding authority allows the Company to issue up to a maximum of 3,935,500 new Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Fundraise, which represents 9.1 per cent. of all the issued shares and votes in the Company immediately prior to the Fundraise.

Nordic Placing

The Nordic Placing, arranged by Carnegie, will be conducted in a private placement by way of the Nordic Bookbuild, which is an accelerated book-building process in which selected investors may submit bids for the Nordic Placing Shares. The Nordic Issue Price is to be determined on the basis of the bids received in the Nordic Bookbuild and is expected to be the equivalent Euro price of the UK Issue Price. The Nordic Bookbuild is expected to commence immediately following this announcement and is expected to end by 7:00 BST/ 9:00 EEST on 22 April 2020 at the latest. Carnegie reserves the right to close the Nordic Bookbuild earlier or later without further notice. The Nordic Bookbuild may also be discontinued at any time during the book-building process.

Following the close of the Bookbuild, the Board will make the decision on the issue of the Nordic Placing Shares, including, as applicable, acceptance of the received bids, the number of Nordic Placing Shares to be issued and the Nordic Issue Price and Carnegie will procure binding commitments from Nordic investors prior to announcement of the result of Placing (subject to any outstanding conditions).

In connection with the proposed Nordic Placing, the Company has entered into a placing agreement with Carnegie (the Nordic Placing Agreement“). Pursuant to the terms of the Nordic Placing Agreement, Carnegie has agreed to use its reasonable endeavours to procure subscribers for the Nordic Placing Shares. The Nordic Placing Agreement contains customary warranties and an indemnity from the Company in favour of Carnegie together with provisions which enable Carnegie to terminate the Nordic Placing Agreement in certain circumstances before the completion of the Nordic Bookbuild and the Board’s resolution on carrying out the Nordic Placing, including where there has been a material breach of any of the warranties contained in the Nordic Placing Agreement or where there is a material adverse change, e.g. in the business or financial affairs of the Company. The Company has agreed to pay Carnegie certain commissions and fees in connection with the Nordic Placing. Pursuant to the terms of the Nordic Placing Agreement, Carnegie has agreed to a limited settlement underwriting covering payment of the subscription price to be made by subscribers of the Nordic Placing Shares to the Company upon the Board having resolved on carrying out the Nordic Placing after the close of the Bookbuild, at the Nordic Issue Price, on approving the binding subscriptions received through the Nordic Bookbuild and UK Bookbuild and on confirming such final number of Placing Shares to be issued.

The Nordic Placing is conditional upon, inter alia:

·    the Nordic Placing agreement having become unconditional in all respects;

·    binding commitments being received from investors;

·    the Minimum Fundraise Condition being satisfied;

·    the Board resolving to carry out the Nordic Placing at the Nordic Issue Price and the Company and Carnegie entering into a separate pricing agreement confirming the Nordic Issue Price and the number of the Nordic Placing Shares; and

·    the Nordic Placing Shares being issued and being registered with the Finnish Trade Register.

In connection with the Nordic Placing, Faron has entered into a lock-up undertaking, under which it has, subject to certain exceptions, agreed not to issue or sell any shares in Faron for a period of 180 days after the closing of the Fundraise.

UK Placing and Broker Option

The UK Placing will be conducted by way of an accelerated bookbuild process which will be launched immediately following this announcement. Panmure Gordon is acting as sole bookrunner in relation to the UK Placing. The UK Issue Price is to be determined on the basis of the bids received in the Bookbuild and is expected to be the equivalent Pounds Sterling price of the Nordic Issue Price.  It is envisaged that the UK Bookbuild will be closed by 7:00 BST/9:00 EEST on 22 April 2020 at the latest but Panmure Gordon (in conjunction with the Company) reserve the right to close the book earlier or later without further notice. The UK Bookbuild may also be discontinued at any time during the book-building process.   Venture capital trust and enterprise investment scheme funds may participate in the UK Placing.

Shortly following the closure of the UK Bookbuild and announcement of the result of the Placing, Panmure Gordon will issue placing letters to those persons who have submitted bids to subscribe for Placing Shares as part of the UK Bookbuild and which will contain the terms and conditions upon which they shall participate in the UK Placing. Accordingly, participation in the UK Placing and the determination of the precise number of UK Placing Shares to be issued under the UK Placing at the UK Issue Price will be conditional upon the receipt of signed placing letters back from potential investors.  

In addition, the Company has also granted the UK Broker Option to Panmure Gordon in order to cater for additional demand under the UK Placing. Any Option Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the Broker Option will be issued on the same terms, and subject to the same conditions, as the UK Placing Shares and the return of signed placing letters corresponding to those Option Shares from relevant investors. The Broker Option is exercisable by Panmure Gordon, at any time from the date of announcement of the result of the Bookbuild to approximately 13.00 BST/ 15.00 EEST on 22 April 2020 in their absolute discretion, following consultation with the Company. However, there is no obligation on Panmure to exercise the Broker Option or to seek to procure subscribers for Option Shares pursuant to the Broker Option. The Broker Option will not qualify for investments made by venture capital trust and enterprise investment scheme funds.

In connection with the proposed UK Placing and the Broker Option, the Company has entered into a placing agreement with Panmure Gordon (the “UK Placing Agreement“). Pursuant to the terms of the UK Placing Agreement, Panmure Gordon has agreed to use its reasonable endeavours to procure placees for the UK Placing Shares. The UK Placing is conditional upon, inter alia:

·    the UK Placing Agreement having become unconditional in all respects;

·    the Company having performed, in all material respects, its obligations under the UK Placing Agreement and not being in material breach of the UK Placing Agreement;

·    legally binding commitments being received (in the form of placing letters) in respect of all of the UK Placing Shares and, to the extent exercised, the Option Shares (the “UK Placee Condition“);

·     minimum gross proceeds of €10 million being raised in aggregate under the Nordic Placing and UK Placing (“Minimum Fundraise Condition“); and

·    the UK Placing Shares and Option Shares being issued and being registered at the Finnish Trade Register (the “UK Issue Condition“).

The UK Placing Agreement contains customary warranties and an indemnity from the Company in favour of Panmure Gordon together with provisions which enable Panmure Gordon to terminate the UK Placing Agreement in certain circumstances before satisfaction of the UK Issue Condition and the Minimum Fundraise Condition in respect of each stage of the Placing, including where there has been a material breach of any of the warranties contained in the UK Placing Agreement (in the reasonable opinion of Panmure Gordon) or where there is a material adverse change in the business or financial affairs of the Company. The Company has agreed to pay Panmure Gordon certain commissions and fees in connection with the UK Placing.  In order to comply with local corporate law in Finland, the UK Issue Condition will be satisfied prior to the admission of the UK Placing Shares to trading on AIM (“UK Admission“). Accordingly, pursuant to the terms of the UK Placing Agreement, Panmure Gordon has agreed to limited settlement underwriting of payment of the subscription price to be made by subscribers of the UK Placing Shares to the Company subject to the Board having resolved to carry out the UK Placing after the close of the Bookbuild at the UK Issue Price and subject to satisfaction of the UK Placee Issue Condition.

ISSUE OF THE PLACING SHARES, OPTION SHARES AND ADMISSION TO TRADING

Subject to all conditions being met and the Placing Shares being subscribed for, the Placing Shares are expected to be issued in multiple tranches in anticipation of allowing investments made by certain venture capital trust and enterprise investment scheme funds, (the “EIS/VCT Investors“) in order to qualify under Venture Capital Trust and Enterprise Investment Scheme rules as part of the UK Placing (excluding the Broker Option) and to facilitate the limited settlement underwriting.

Based on indications of interest received as part of market soundings conducted in relation to the Fundraise then, subject to all conditions being met, UK Placing Shares issued to the EIS/VCT Investors are expected to be allotted and issued first alongside certain Nordic Placing Shares (“First Issue Shares“) followed by the remaining Nordic Placing Shares (“Second Issue Shares“) and then followed by the UK Placing Shares and Option Shares issued to non-EIS/VCT Investors (“Third Issue Shares“). To the extent shares are subscribed for and subject to all conditions being met, application will then be made for the admission of all such Placing Shares to trading on First North and AIM with admission of the First Issue Shares to First North and AIM expected to become effective and dealings to commence on or around 24 April 2020 (“First Admission“); admission of the Second Issue Shares to First North and AIM is expected to become effective and dealings to commence on or around 27 April 2020 (“Second Admission“) and admission of the Third Issue Shares (including any Option Shares to the extent subscribed for) to First North and AIM is expected to become effective and dealings  to commence on or around 29 April 2020 (“Third Admission“). (First Admission, Second Admission and Third Admission, together “Admission“).  The dates above may be subject to change.

A further announcement will be made to confirm the outcome of the Placing (subject to, inter alia, satisfaction of the UK Issue Condition) and to confirm the expected timing of issue of the Placing Shares and Admission.

Upon registration with the Finnish Trade Register, the Placing Shares will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing shares of the Company.

For more information please contact:

Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy

Dr Markku Jalkanen, Chief Executive Officer

investor.relations@faron.com 

Carnegie Investment Bank AB, Financial Adviser

Mika Karikoski (Corporate Finance)

Phone: +358 40 741 6959

Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited, Nomad and Broker

Emma Earl, Freddy Crossley (Corporate Finance)

James Stearns (Corporate Broking)

Phone: +44 207 886 2892

Consilium Strategic Communications

Mary-Jane Elliott, David Daley, Lindsey Neville

Phone: +44 (0)20 3709 5700

E-mail: faron@consilium-comms.com

Sisu Partners Oy, Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North

Juha Karttunen

Phone: +358 40 555 4727

About Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Faron (AIM:FARN, First North: FARON) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for medical conditions with significant unmet needs. The Company currently has a pipeline based on the receptors involved in regulation of immune response in oncology and organ damage. Clevegen, its precision immunotherapy, is a novel anti-Clever-1 antibody with the ability to switch immune suppression to immune activation in various conditions, with potential across oncology, infectious disease and vaccine development. Currently in phase I/II clinical development as a novel macrophage checkpoint immunotherapy for patients with untreatable solid tumours, Clevegen has potential as a single-agent therapy or in combination with other standard treatments including immune checkpoint molecules. Traumakine, the Company’s pipeline candidate to prevent vascular leakage and organ failures, has completed a phase III clinical trial in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Plans for its future development are being finalised to avoid interfering steroid use together with Traumakine. Faron is based in Turku, Finland. Further information is available at www.faron.com.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Market Abuse Regulation

Market soundings, as defined in Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (“MAR“), were taken in respect of the proposed Fundraise with the result that certain persons became aware of inside information, as permitted by MAR. That inside information in relation to the Fundraise is set out in this announcement and has been disclosed as soon as possible in accordance with paragraph 7 of article 17 of MAR. Therefore, those persons that received inside information in such market sounding are no longer in possession of inside information relating to the Company and its securities.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of MAR.

MiFID II

Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended (“MiFID II“); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures (together, the “MiFID II Product Governance Requirements“), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any “manufacturer” (for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Placing Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Placing Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of: (a) retail investors, (b) investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and (c) eligible counterparties (each as defined in MiFID II); and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the “Target Market Assessment“). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that: the price of the Placing Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Placing Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Placing Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the offer.

Caution regarding forward looking statements

Certain statements in this announcement are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ”believe”, ”could”, “should”, “expect”, ”envisage”, ”estimate”, ”intend”, ”may”, ”plan”, ”potentially”, ”will” or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors’ current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements reflect the Directors’ current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. 

A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results and expectations discussed in the forward looking statements, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. In particular, the early data from initial patients in the MATINS trial may not be replicated in larger patient numbers and the outcome of clinical trials may not be favourable or clinical trials over and above those currently planned may be required before the Company is able to apply for marketing approval for a product.  In addition, other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially include the ability of the Company to successfully licence its programmes, risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions, competition, environmental and other regulatory changes, actions by governmental authorities, the availability of capital markets or other sources of funding, reliance on key personnel, uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors.  Although any forward looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward looking statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law or any relevant AIM Rule requirements, in providing this information the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any of the forward looking statements or to advise of any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Exchange rate

Unless otherwise specified, this announcement contains certain translations of Euros into amounts in Pounds Sterling for the convenience of the reader based on the exchange rate of €1.00 = £0.87, being the published exchange rate by the European Central Bank at the close of business on 20 April  2020 (the latest practicable date prior to the date of this announcement).

Advisers

Carnegie, a public limited company duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of Sweden, is acting as Sole Bookrunner and Financial Adviser to the Company and no one else in connection with the Nordic Placing. Accordingly, it will not be responsible to any person other than the Company for providing the regulatory and legal protections afforded to its clients nor for providing advice in relation to the contents of this announcement or any matter, transaction or arrangement referred to in it.

Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited, which is regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting as Nominated Adviser, Sole Bookrunner and Corporate Broker to the Company and no one else in connection with the UK Placing. Accordingly, it will not be responsible to any person other than the Company for providing the regulatory and legal protections afforded to its clients nor for providing advice in relation to the contents of this Announcement or any matter, transaction or arrangement referred to in it.

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