Firefly Neuroscience, Inc. (“Firefly”) Chief Executive Officer, Jon
Olsen, issues letter to stockholders ahead of Firefly’s proposed
merger with WaveDancer, Inc. (“WaveDancer”) (NASDAQ: WAVD) pursuant
to that definitive merger agreement, entered into on November 15,
2023, as amended on January 12, 2024 (the “Merger Agreement”). The
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and other
proposals described therein, are subject to stockholder approval
sought at a special meeting of the stockholders of WaveDancer to be
held virtually on March 14, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. ET. Stockholders
are encouraged to participate in the meeting online by visiting
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WAVD2024SM.
Dear Firefly and WaveDancer Stockholders,
As we approach the closing of Firefly’s proposed
merger transaction with WaveDancer (the “Merger”), I wanted to take
this opportunity to provide stockholders of both companies with not
only my perspective on the state of the mental health industry
today, but more importantly how we believe our medical technology
platform provides a next generation method of improving it by
harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (“AI”) and
data.
We unfortunately are all too aware of the global
health crisis in mental illness, as well as the increasing burden
of neurologic conditions, with a growing population at risk for
dementia, the impact it is having on our lives and the burden on
healthcare providers to offer better solutions for people suffering
from mental illnesses and cognitive disorders. There is
a need to provide medical professionals with innovative
technologies to drive better outcomes for people suffering from a
broad range of neurologic and mental health issues. For the most
part, the diagnosis and treatment of mental health illnesses
continues to be based on subjective assessments: “how the patient
feels” and a “trial and error” approach to treatment, not on
objective comparative data. Therefore, in many cases, inaccurate
diagnoses are made, and medications are prescribed that may or may
not work, ultimately only prolonging the effects of the illness on
the patient.
We have spent the last decade and over $60
million developing our Brain Network Analytics software platform
(“BNA™ Platform”), an FDA 510(k)-cleared, electroencephalogram
(“EEG”)-based data and analytics tool that provides medical
professionals with an objective comparative assessment of brain
function. Our BNA™ Platform gives clinicians and patients an
objective, quantifiable assessment that we believe can be used to
support accurate diagnosis of the condition and help clinicians
understand if a treatment is working. The ability to compare a
patient’s brain function to that of a normative, age-matched
FDA-cleared database supports clinicians in making objective and
informed decisions to facilitate accurate diagnosis and treatment
management.
We believe the BNA™ Platform is the largest
standardized, longitudinal, multi-task, EEG database in the world.
With over a decade of research and development, we are proud to
have captured over 77,000 brain scans from over 17,000 patients at
106 sites in over 20 countries. Our unique database, along with our
AI capabilities, are critical components for finding and validating
clinically relevant high-precision biomarkers. We believe that
EEG-based biomarkers provide the potential for improved diagnoses
and better patient outcomes by choosing the right treatment.
Our AI-powered BNA™ Platform is cleared by the
FDA and available commercially in the U.S. We are prioritizing our
go-to-market strategy to focus on catering to the estimated over
13,800 active neurologists in the U.S. as of 2021 who are
diagnosing and prescribing treatments for those suffering with
neuropsychiatric conditions through a “razor/razor blade”
subscription model. We estimate this segment of the mental health
treatment population alone represents an over $1 billion and
growing market opportunity.
We are also opportunistically exploring
partnership opportunities with pharmaceutical companies in the
neurologic space to facilitate and streamline their clinical
development programs through understanding mechanism of action,
pharmacodynamic monitoring, patient enrichment, and companion
diagnostics. We have already partnered with global pharmaceutical
companies and strongly believe that EEG data, processed by the BNA™
Platform, can be effective in neuroactive drug development by
providing objectively measured brain activations that indicate
normal or abnormal and potentially pathological neuronal
processes.
We are committed to providing the BNA™ Platform
as a precision medicine tool to optimize patient management and
provide the right treatment to the right patient. We believe our
next-generation method of improving mental health can bring new
therapies to market quicker, reduce healthcare costs and provide
better outcomes for patients, caregivers, and communities globally
that are suffering from mental illnesses and cognitive
disorders.
I want to express my deepest gratitude for the
ongoing support of our Firefly and WaveDancer stockholders. Your
belief in our mission and commitment to making a meaningful impact
on the lives of those affected by neurologic and psychiatric
illness drives us. Together, we are building a company that has the
potential to improve health and bring hope to millions of
individuals and their families.
As we navigate this transformative period
towards the closing of our Merger, I am confident that Firefly will
emerge stronger, more resilient, and better positioned to make
significant contributions to healthcare. We are on an exciting
journey, and I look forward to sharing more successes with you in
the future.
Thank you for your continued trust and
support.
Sincerely,
Jon Olsen, Chief Executive Officer of
FireFly
About WaveDancerWaveDancer,
based in Fairfax, VA, has been servicing federal and commercial
customers since 1979. WaveDancer is in the business of developing
and maintaining information technology (“IT”) systems, modernizing
client information systems, and performing other IT-related
professional services to government and commercial
organizations. https://wavedancer.com/
About Firefly Firefly is a
pioneering AI company developing innovative neuroscientific
solutions that improve outcomes for patients with mental illnesses
and neurological disorders. The BNA™ Platform is a scalable
cloud-based platform built on the company’s extensive proprietary
database of standardized, high-definition EEG recordings, including
behavioral data. Firefly’s BNA Platform leverages this database to
discover useful biomarkers for clinicians and pharmaceutical
companies. With a focus on developing state-of-the-art technologies
that bridge the gap between neuroscience and clinical practice,
Firefly is dedicated to transforming brain health by advancing
diagnostic and treatment
approaches. https://fireflyneuro.com/
Forward-Looking
StatementsCertain statements in this press release and the
information incorporated herein by reference may constitute
“forward-looking statements” for purposes of the federal securities
laws concerning WaveDancer, Firefly, the Merger, and other matters.
These forward-looking statements include express or implied
statements relating to WaveDancer’s and Firefly’s management teams’
expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, or strategies regarding
the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections,
forecasts or other characterizations of future events or
circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are
forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,”
“contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,”
“intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,”
“predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar
expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the
absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not
forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on
current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and
their potential effects. There can be no assurance that future
developments affecting WaveDancer, Firefly or the Merger will be
those that have been anticipated. These forward-looking statements
involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond
WaveDancer’s or Firefly’s control) or other assumptions that may
cause actual results or performance to be materially different from
those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the
risk that the conditions to the closing of the Merger are not
satisfied, including the failure to obtain stockholder approval for
the transaction; uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation
of the Merger and the ability of each of WaveDancer and Firefly to
consummate the Merger; risks related to WaveDancer’s continued
listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market until closing of the Merger;
risks related to WaveDancer’s and Firefly’s ability to correctly
estimate their respective operating expenses and expenses
associated with the Merger, as well as uncertainties regarding the
impact any delay in the closing would have on the anticipated cash
resources of the combined company upon closing and other events and
unanticipated spending and costs that could reduce the combined
company’s cash resources; the occurrence of any event, change or
other circumstance or condition that could give rise to the
termination of the Merger Agreement; the effect of the announcement
or pendency of the Merger on WaveDancer’s or Firefly’s business
relationships, operating results and business generally; costs
related to the Merger; the outcome of any legal proceedings that
may be instituted against WaveDancer, Firefly or any of their
respective directors or officers related to the Merger Agreement or
the Mergers contemplated thereby; the ability of WaveDancer or
Firefly to protect their respective intellectual property rights;
competitive responses to the Merger; unexpected costs, charges or
expenses resulting from the Merger; potential adverse reactions or
changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement
or completion of the Merger; legislative, regulatory, political and
economic developments; and those factors described under the
heading “Risk Factors” in the WaveDancer’s most recent Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”), as well as discussions of potential risks,
uncertainties, and other important factors included in later
filings, including any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current
Reports on Form 8-K, and those factors included under the heading
“Risk Factors” in the registration statement on Form S-4 filed by
WaveDancer with the SEC, as amended. Should one or more of these
risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of WaveDancer’s
assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material
respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements.
It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks.
Forward-looking statements included in this press release only
speak as of the date they are made, and neither WaveDancer nor
Firefly undertakes any obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as may be required under
applicable securities laws.
No Offer or SolicitationThis
press release is not intended to and does not constitute a proxy
statement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to
subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for
any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction
pursuant to the Merger or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale,
issuance, or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in
contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be
made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Subject to certain
exceptions to be approved by the relevant regulators or certain
facts to be ascertained, the public offer will not be made directly
or indirectly, in or into any jurisdiction where to do so would
constitute a violation of the laws of such jurisdiction, or by use
of the mails or by any means or instrumentality (including without
limitation, facsimile transmission, telephone and the internet) of
interstate or foreign commerce, or any facility of a national
securities exchange, of any such jurisdiction.
Important Additional Information Filed
with the SECIn connection with the Merger, WaveDancer has
filed relevant materials with the SEC, including a registration
statement on Form S-4, as amended, that contains a proxy
statement/prospectus and consent solicitation pertaining to
WaveDancer and Firefly. WAVEDANCER AND FIREFLY URGE INVESTORS AND
STOCKHOLDERS TO READ THESE MATERIALS CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR
ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT
WAVEDANCER, FIREFLY, THE MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and
stockholders can obtain free copies of the proxy
statement/prospectus and consent solicitation and other documents
filed by WaveDancer with the SEC through the website maintained by
the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and stockholders
should note that WaveDancer communicates with investors and the
public using its website (https://WaveDancer.com) and its investor
relations website (https://ir.WaveDancer.com), where anyone can
obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and consent
solicitation and other documents filed by WaveDancer with the SEC.
Stockholders are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus and
consent solicitation and the other relevant materials before making
any voting or investment decision with respect to the Merger.
Participants in the
SolicitationWaveDancer, Firefly, and their respective
directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants
in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Merger.
Information about WaveDancer’s directors and executive officers is
included in WaveDancer’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K,
including any information incorporated therein by reference, as
filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding these persons,
Firefly’s directors and executive officers and their respective
interests in the Merger is included in the proxy
statement/prospectus and consent solicitation relating to the
Merger filed with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of
charge from the sources indicated above.
Contact Information
WaveDancerTim Hannon,
CFOInvestors@WaveDancer.com
Investor ContactKCSA Strategic
CommunicationsValter Pinto, Managing DirectorPH: (212)
896-1254Valter@KCSA.com
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