Vyome Therapeutics, a clinical-stage healthcare company targeting
immuno-inflammatory and rare diseases in the US and global markets
with large market potential, announced today that it has signed a
merger agreement with ReShape Lifesciences (Nasdaq: RSLS). Upon
closing, it is anticipated that the post-merger entity, will be
renamed Vyome Holdings, Inc., and continue to have its common stock
traded on Nasdaq under the new ticker symbol “HIND”, an ancient
name for India, an integral part of Vyome’s identity.
Anchored in part by Dr. Ranjan Pai, Chairman of
the Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), and investors
affiliated with Remus Capital and Iron Pillar, certain of the
Company’s stockholders have, simultaneously with the execution of
the merger agreement, committed to a minimum $7.3 million private
placement in the combined company and its subsidiaries, that may be
upsized through additional investments, to close concurrently with
the merger. Based on the Company’s anticipated cash flow
projections, it will have adequate liquidity on hand to self-fund
into the second half of 2025. Vyome plans to deploy the capital
raised through the private placement to unlock significant value in
its pipeline of immuno-inflammatory assets and intends to use its
public market position to capitalize on the growing relationships
between the U.S. and India in both innovation and
commercialization.
“We have a very promising pipeline with potential near-term
catalysts treating unmet rare and immune-inflammatory diseases,”
said Dr. Shiladitya Sengupta, co-founder of Vyome, an associate
professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, researcher at MIT,
and a top graduate of India’s #1-ranked medical school, AIIMS. “We
are leveraging world-class research at much lower R&D costs to
solve tangible unsolved real-world problems with large US market
opportunities; this combination is our competitive advantage. We
are grateful to investors who are supporting our continued efforts
in making meaningful impact in patient lives.”
As part of this transaction, Vyome is pleased to
announce that Ambassador Frank Wisner will be joining its Board of
Directors at closing. Ambassador Wisner brings his extensive
experience in business, international law, and global political
relations to the Company. His diplomatic career spans four decades
as a U.S. ambassador, including his most recent appointment to
India.
“India is the world’s greatest growth story,
full stop. We are excited about using our public platform to find
and unlock further opportunities between the world-class Indian
innovation corridor and the U.S. market. We have unique access in
this corridor and look forward to building on our existing assets,”
said Krishna Gupta, current Director of Vyome and to be appointed
Chairman of the combined company. “I’m also thankful to Ambassador
Wisner for agreeing to bring his wisdom, network, and understanding
of India to our board – India is already one of the world’s most
vibrant countries with a deep and growing healthcare expertise and
will become a bigger player in the decade to come.”
“We are pleased to have completed the merger agreement and are
confident we can operate efficiently to unlock key value milestones
from our pipeline,” said Venkat Nelabhotla, President & Chief
Executive Officer of Vyome.
Chardan is serving as financial advisor to Vyome
and Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP is acting as its legal
counsel for both the merger and the concurrent financing
transaction. Maxim Group LLC is serving as financial advisor to
ReShape and Fox Rothschild LLP is acting as its legal counsel.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, a newly
formed wholly owned subsidiary of ReShape will merge with and into
Vyome, with Vyome continuing as the surviving corporation and
wholly owned subsidiary of ReShape.
The closing of the merger is subject to certain
closing conditions including, among other things, approval by the
stockholders of ReShape and Vyome, the Securities and Exchange
Commission declaring effective ReShape’s registration statement
registering the shares to be issued in connection to the merger,
and the Nasdaq Stock Market's approval of the continued listing of
the common stock of the combined company.
Additional details along with the merger agreement can be found
in ReShape’s current report on Form 8-K which was filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 9, 2024.
Companies with ties to India that have
world-class deep tech innovation and that wish to partner with
Vyome to unlock value and further access the U.S. markets should
reach out to corpdev@vyometx.com
JAI HIND!
About Vyome Therapeutics
Vyome Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage
specialty pharmaceutical company working to treat
immuno-inflammatory diseases of unmet need with next-generation
therapeutic solutions. Its portfolio of therapeutic assets has been
identified and developed to address validated targets with novel
formulations for site-targeted applications. Vyome has assembled a
world-class team of scientific and business development experts,
leveraging its comparative advantage in the Indian innovation
corridor; its team has a track record of conducting scientific
research recognized in top U.S. journals, developing breakthrough
products, and executing on a sustainable commercial strategy. Vyome
is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this press release
are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe
harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of
words such as “target,” “believe,” “expect,” “will,” “shall,”
“may,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “would,” “positioned,” “future,”
“forecast,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “outlook”, and other
similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or
trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Examples
of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements
made in this report regarding the merger, including the benefits of
the merger, revenue opportunities, anticipated future financial and
operating performance, and results, including estimates for growth,
and the expected timing of the merger. Forward-looking statements
are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance.
Instead, they are based only on management’s current beliefs,
expectations, and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements
relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties,
risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict
and many of which are outside of Vyome’s control. Actual results
and outcomes may differ materially from those indicated in the
forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any
of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could
cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those
indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others,
the following: (a) the occurrence of any event, change, or other
circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the
merger; (b) failure to obtain the necessary consents and approvals,
including the approval of Reshape’s stockholders; (c) the inability
to complete the Merger or satisfy other closing conditions; (d) the
risk that the merger disrupts current plans and operations as a
result of the announcement and consummation of the merger; (e) the
approval of the continued listing application of Reshape to have
the common stock of the combined company continue to be traded on
Nasdaq; (f) costs related to the merger; and (g) changes in
applicable laws or regulations. Vyome cautions that the foregoing
list of factors is not exhaustive. Vyome cautions readers not to
place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which
speak only as of the date made. Vyome does not undertake or accept
any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or
revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change
in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or
circumstances on which any such statement is based, whether as a
result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as
may be required by applicable law.
For any inquiries, please reach out to:
Krishna Gupta (kkg@remusgroup.com)
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