Strengthens Balance Sheet Ahead of Potential
Vadadustat Approval on March 27,
2024
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 30,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Akebia Therapeutics®,
Inc. (Nasdaq: AKBA), a biopharmaceutical company with the purpose
to better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease, today
announced it has closed a loan facility with funds and accounts
managed by BlackRock. The loan provides Akebia with up to
$55.0 million of borrowing capacity
available in three tranches.
At the closing, Akebia drew the first tranche of $37.0 million and used the proceeds to pay down
$35.0 million of principal
outstanding from a loan agreement with Pharmakon Advisors, LP
(Pharmakon), the investment manager of the BioPharma Credit funds,
plus interest and fees. The new agreement substantially extends the
interest-only period in the event of vadadustat approval by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) without requiring any
principal repayment until December 31,
2025, with an option for Akebia to extend until December 31, 2026.
Two additional tranches comprising a total of $18.0 million are available to be drawn down at
Akebia's option through December 31,
2024, contingent in part on FDA approval of vadadustat.
Details of the loan agreement are provided in a Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on January 30,
2024.
"Now within two months of a major milestone, the potential U.S.
approval of vadadustat, we are pleased to have further strengthened
our balance sheet with the immediate addition of a $37.0 million loan facility on very competitive
terms with an excellent partner in BlackRock," said John P. Butler, Chief Executive Officer of
Akebia. "The loan from BlackRock-managed funds and accounts enables
our team to use capital more strategically as we prepare to launch
a potential new medication for patients on dialysis with anemia. We
also deeply appreciate Pharmakon, a tremendous partner for more
than four years. The ongoing support from Pharmakon has contributed
meaningfully to our ability to fund operations as we worked through
the regulatory process for vadadustat globally. We are now
delighted to embark on this new journey with this investment from
BlackRock."
About Akebia Therapeutics
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. is
a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with the purpose to
better the lives of people impacted by kidney disease. Akebia was
founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more
information, please visit our website at www.akebia.com, which does
not form a part of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press
release regarding Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.'s ("Akebia's")
strategy, plans, prospects, expectations, beliefs, intentions and
goals are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and
include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: Akebia's
expectations regarding a decision by the FDA on its New Drug
Application for vadadustat, including the timing thereof; and
Akebia's expectations and beliefs regarding the impact that the
loan facility with BlackRock will have on Akebia, including its
ability to use capital more strategically. The terms "intend,"
"believe," "plan," "goal," "expect," "potential," "anticipate,"
"will," "continue," derivatives of these words, and similar
references are intended to identify forward-looking statements,
although not all forward-looking statements contain these
identifying words. Actual results, performance or experience may
differ materially from those expressed or implied by any
forward-looking statement as a result of various risks,
uncertainties and other factors, including, but not limited to,
risks associated with: decisions made by health authorities, such
as the FDA, with respect to regulatory filings, including the
anticipated FDA decision on the NDA for vadadustat and the
potential effects of a negative decision on Akebia's cash runway;
the potential therapeutic benefits, safety profile, and
effectiveness of vadadustat; the potential demand and market
potential and acceptance of, as well as coverage and reimbursement
related to, Auryxia and vadadustat if approved, including estimates
regarding the potential market opportunity; the competitive
landscape for Auryxia and vadadustat if approved, including
potential generic entrants; the ability of Akebia to attract and
retain qualified personnel; Akebia's ability to implement cost
avoidance measures and reduce operating expenses; the results of
preclinical and clinical research; the direct or indirect impact of
the COVID-19 pandemic on regulators and Akebia's business,
operations, and the markets and communities in which Akebia and its
partners, collaborators, vendors and customers operate;
manufacturing, supply chain and quality matters and any recalls,
write-downs, impairments or other related consequences or potential
consequences; and early termination of any of Akebia's
collaborations. Other risks and uncertainties include those
identified under the heading "Risk Factors" in Akebia's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, and other filings that Akebia
may make with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in the
future. These forward-looking statements (except as otherwise
noted) speak only as of the date of this press release, and, except
as required by law, Akebia does not undertake, and specifically
disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements
contained in this press release.
Akebia Therapeutics® is a registered trademark of
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.
Akebia Therapeutics Contact
Mercedes Carrasco
mcarrasco@akebia.com
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SOURCE Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.