Moringa Acquisition Corp (Nasdaq: MACA) (“Moringa”), a special
purpose acquisition company, today announced it has entered into a
business combination agreement with Silexion Ltd. (“Silexion”), a
clinical-stage, oncology-focused biotechnology company, that would
result in Silexion becoming publicly listed on the Nasdaq. The
business combination provides for Silexion’s pre-transaction equity
value to be $62.5 million, based on a $10 share price.
The business combination, which has been unanimously approved by
the boards of directors of Silexion and Moringa, is expected to
close in the third quarter of 2024, subject to the satisfaction of
customary closing conditions, including the approval of Silexion
and Moringa shareholders and Nasdaq approval of the initial listing
of the combined company’s securities.
Ilan Levin, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Moringa,
noted, “We are incredibly excited to announce the proposed merger
with Silexion. Silexion is at the cutting edge of RNA therapeutics,
with a first generation product, Loder™, that has demonstrated very
impressive results in a multinational Phase 2a clinical trial in
patients with non-resectable pancreatic cancer. Specifically, Loder
achieved a median overall survival (OS) advantage of 9.3 months in
combination with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone (22.7 vs
13.4 months) in patients harboring specific mutations in the KRAS
oncogene referred to as G12D or G12V. To further enhance the
efficacy, Silexion has taken steps to potentially optimize both the
siRNA and the delivery system and has moved the development to a
second generation product, SIL-204B. We believe the business
combination will provide both our respective shareholders the
opportunity to participate in the potential of Silexion’s powerful
platform as a public company listed on Nasdaq.”
Additional Key Transaction TermsMoringa will
serve as the acquiring entity in the business combination, and is
expected to issue 6.25 million shares (on a fully-diluted basis) to
Silexion’s current equity holders pursuant to the transaction.
The board of directors of the combined company will consist of
seven members, of whom two will be appointed by Moringa’s
sponsor.
Additional information about the proposed business combination,
including a copy of the business combination agreement, will be
provided in one or more Current Reports on Form 8-K to be filed by
Moringa with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
About Silexion
Silexion Therapeutics is a pioneering clinical stage,
oncology-focused biotechnology company dedicated to the development
of innovative treatments for unsatisfactorily treated solid tumor
cancers which have the mutated KRAS oncogene. The company conducted
a Phase 2a clinical trial which has shown positive efficacy results
in comparison to the control of chemotherapy alone. Silexion’s is
committed to pushing the boundaries of therapeutic advancements in
the field of oncology, and further developing its second generation
product for locally advanced pancreatic cancer.
About Moringa Acquisition Corp
Moringa Acquisition Corp (Nasdaq: MACA), is a publicly-listed
special purpose acquisition company. Moringa is registered as a
Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated as a blank check
company for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange,
asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization,
reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more
businesses or entities.
Advisors
Meitar | Law Offices and Greenberg Traurig are serving as legal
counsel to Moringa.
Herzog Fox & Neeman is serving as legal counsel to
Silexion.
Important Information About the Proposed Transaction and
Where to Find It
The proposed business combination will be submitted to
shareholders of Moringa for their consideration. Moringa intends to
file a registration statement on Form S-4 (the
“Registration Statement”) with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) which will include a proxy
statement to be distributed to Moringa’s shareholders in connection
with Moringa’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by Moringa’s
shareholders in connection with the proposed business combination
and other matters as described in the Registration Statement, as
well as the prospectus relating to the offer of the securities to
be issued to Silexion’s shareholders in connection with the
completion of the proposed business combination. After the
Registration Statement has been filed and declared effective,
Moringa will mail a definitive proxy statement and other relevant
documents to its shareholders as of the record date established for
voting on the proposed business combination. MORINGA’S SHAREHOLDERS
AND OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS ARE URGED TO READ, ONCE AVAILABLE, THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT /
PROSPECTUS AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO AND, ONCE AVAILABLE, THE
DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT / PROSPECTUS, IN CONNECTION WITH
MORINGA’S SOLICITATION OF PROXIES FOR ITS EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD TO APPROVE, AMONG OTHER THINGS,
THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION, BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS WILL
CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MORINGA, SILEXION AND THE
PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION.
Shareholders may also obtain a copy of the preliminary or
definitive proxy statement, once available, as well as other
documents filed with the SEC regarding the proposed business
combination and other documents filed with the SEC by Moringa,
without charge, at the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov, as
well as in the Investor Relations section of the Moringa website at
www.moringaac.com
INVESTMENT IN ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAS NOT BEEN
APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY OTHER REGULATORY
AUTHORITY NOR HAS ANY AUTHORITY PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS
OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION PURSUANT TO WHICH ANY SECURITIES ARE TO
BE OFFERED OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within
the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements may be identified by the use of words such “expect,”
“estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,”
“intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,”
“predicts,” “potential,” “might” and “continues,” and similar
expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking
statements. These statements are based on various assumptions,
whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current
expectations of Silexion’ and Moringa’s management and are not
predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements
are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to
serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a
guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of
fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult
or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many
actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Silexion
and Moringa. These forward-looking statements are subject to a
number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to:
(i) the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the
transaction, including the risk that the transaction may not close
due to one or more closing conditions to the transaction in the
business combination agreement (the “Business Combination
Agreement”) not being satisfied or waived on a timely basis or
otherwise, or that the required approval of the Business
Combination Agreement and related matters by the shareholders of
Moringa is not obtained; (ii) the potential failure of certain
investors who are expected to provide a minimum of $3.5 million of
convertible loans to Silexion to provide those convertible loans
(the “Convertible Loans”) by the March 10, 2024 deadline for doing
so under the Business Combination Agreement; (iii) the potential
failure of Moringa’s sponsor to assure that Moringa possesses a
minimum of $350,000 of working capital prior to the closing, which
is a required condition to Silexion’s completing the business
combination; (iv) whether the combined company resulting from the
business combination will qualify for listing on the Nasdaq Capital
Market or Nasdaq Global Market under its initial listing standards,
in particular based on the market value of the combined company’s
listed securities, which could be adversely impacted by significant
redemptions of Moringa’s remaining public shares prior to the
closing; (v) the occurrence of any event, change or other
circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the
Business Combination Agreement; (vi) costs related to the
transaction, including the amount of the deferred underwriting fees
that will need to be paid to the underwriters of Moringa’s initial
public offering; (vii) whether the Convertible Loans and working
capital funding in place for Moringa as of the closing will
together suffice for Silexion’s operations following the closing of
the business combination; (viii) the potential occurrence of a
material adverse change with respect to the financial position,
performance, operations or prospects of Silexion or Moringa; (ix)
the potential disruption of Silexion management’s time from ongoing
business operations due to the transaction; (x) whether
announcements relating to the transaction will have an adverse
effect on the market price of Moringa’s securities; (xi) whether
Silexion can continue to meet expected clinical targets in
development of its oncology-focused bio-technology products; (xii)
risks relating to biotechnology companies generally, including
whether clinical trials will be successful and regulatory approvals
can be obtained; (xiii) the effects of changes in regulatory
requirements for Silexion’s products to obtain regulatory
approvals; (xiv) the possibility that the market for Silexion’s
products may be adversely affected by adverse macro-economic
conditions, including inflation and high interest rates; (xv) risks
associated with Silexion being an Israeli company located in Israel
and the effect of Israel’s war against Hamas and other terrorist
organizations on business conditions for Silexion in Israel; and
(xvi) other risks and uncertainties, including those to be
identified in the proxy statement/prospectus forming a part of the
Registration Statement (when available) relating to the
transaction, including those under “Risk Factors,” “Cautionary Note
Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” and “Silexion Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations” therein, and in other filings with the SEC by Moringa.
Moringa and Silexion caution that the foregoing list of factors is
not exclusive. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties
materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect,
actual results may vary materially from those indicated or
anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements relate only to the date they
are made, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance
upon any forward-looking statements. Moringa and Silexion undertake
no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
subject to applicable law.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation
of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities
in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would
be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities
shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the
requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
Participants in Solicitation
Moringa, Silexion, and certain of their respective directors,
executive officers and other members of management and employees
may, under SEC rules, be deemed to be participants in the
solicitations of proxies from Moringa’s shareholders in connection
with the proposed business combination. Information regarding the
persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the
solicitation of Moringa’s shareholders in connection with the
proposed business combination will be set forth in the Registration
Statement when it is filed with the SEC. You can find more
information about Moringa’s directors and executive officers in
Moringa’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, filed with the
SEC on March 31, 2023. Additional information regarding the
participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their
direct and indirect interests will be included in the Registration
Statement when it becomes available. Shareholders, potential
investors and other interested persons should read the Registration
Statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC
regarding the proposed business combination carefully when they
become available before making any voting or investment decisions.
You may obtain free copies of these documents from the sources
indicated above.
Contacts
MoringaGil Maman – gil@moringaac.com
SilexionCrescendo Communications, LLCTel: (212)
671-1020Email: silexion@crescendo-ir.com
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