Zealand Pharma launches equity offering of new shares raising gross
proceeds of approximately USD 900 million / DKK 6.257 billion
Company announcement – No. 33 / 2024
Zealand Pharma launches equity offering of new shares raising
gross proceeds of approximately USD 900 million / DKK 6.257
billion
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN
PART IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN OR
SOUTH AFRICA, EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND
THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE
UNITED STATES ABSENT REGISTRATION EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN APPLICABLE
EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED, AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS; THE SECURITIES HAVE
NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933, AS AMENDED; ANY PUBLIC OFFERING OF SUCH SECURITIES TO BE
MADE IN THE UNITED STATES WILL BE MADE BY MEANS OF A PROSPECTUS
THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ISSUER, WHICH WOULD CONTAIN DETAILED
INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY AND ITS MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
- A directed share offering to certain institutional and
professional investors through an accelerated bookbuilding process
will begin immediately.
- The net proceeds from the issue are expected to be used to
advance Zealand’s proprietary obesity programs in Phase 2b clinical
trials and beyond, including investment in associated CMC
activities, and pursue clinical development in related indications
with the potential to provide additional therapeutic benefits to
patients. The net proceeds are also expected to support continued
early-stage research and fund general corporate purposes.
Copenhagen, Denmark, 25 June 2024 – Zealand Pharma
A/S ("Zealand" or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ZEAL),
(CVR-no. 20 04 50 78), a biotechnology company focused on the
discovery, design and development of innovative peptide-based
medicines for obesity, other metabolic, and certain rare diseases,
announces the launch of an offering of new shares at market price
(the "Offering"). The Offering will be completed through an
accelerated bookbuilding process and is expected to raise gross
proceeds of approx. USD 900 million / DKK 6.257 billion through the
issuance of new shares (the "New Shares") in a private
placement directed at institutional and professional investors in
Denmark and certain other jurisdictions.
Background for the Offering
The net proceeds from the Offering are intended to:
- Advance Zealand’s proprietary obesity programs in Phase 2b
clinical trials and beyond, including investment in associated CMC
activities, and pursue clinical development in related indications
with the potential to provide additional therapeutic benefits to
patients
- Support continued early-stage research and fund general
corporate purposes
Zealand expects the new proceeds to provide funding to advance
the clinical pipeline and reach several potential key milestones.
The Company is prioritizing resources on R&D and expects to
engage in strategic partnerships for commercialization and
co-development.
Terms of the Offering
The Offering has not been and will not be registered under the
U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities
Act”), and will be made pursuant to applicable exemptions from
the obligation to publish a Danish offering prospectus in Denmark
as well as exemptions from the U.S. Securities Act and the
securities laws of other applicable jurisdictions. The Offering
will be made at market price and without pre-emption rights for
Zealand's existing shareholders. The Offering is not
underwritten.
The subscription price and the final number of New Shares in the
Offering will be determined through an accelerated bookbuilding
process (the "Bookbuilding") as part of the Offering. The
Bookbuilding for the Offering will open with immediate effect and
can close at any time. The offer price and allocation will be
determined after the close of the Bookbuilding process at Zealand's
discretion. The result of the Offering, the offer price and the
total number of New Shares are expected to be announced as soon as
practicable thereafter in a Company announcement. If the Offering
is oversubscribed, an individual allocation of the New Shares will
be made.
The New Shares, if issued, will be issued in the systems of VP
Securities A/S ("Euronext Securities") and delivered to the
investors in the temporary ISIN code DK0063068457. No application
for admission to trading and official listing has been, or will be,
filed for the New Shares issued under the temporary ISIN code, and
the temporary ISIN code will only be registered with Euronext
Securities for subscription for the New Shares. The temporary ISIN
code in Euronext Securities will be merged with the permanent ISIN
code for the existing shares, DK0060257814, as soon as possible
following registration of the share capital increase with the
Danish Business Authority. New Shares are, if issued, expected to
be admitted to trading and official listing on Nasdaq Copenhagen
A/S, in the ISIN code for the existing shares, DK0060257814,
following issuance, expectedly on 28 June 2024.
In connection with the Offering, Zealand has agreed to undertake
a lock-up commitment for 180 calendar days following the date
hereof, subject to certain customary exceptions and exemptions in
relation to the issuance of warrants to financing providers. In
addition, the members of Zealand's executive management and board
of directors have agreed to undertake a lock-up commitment for 90
calendar days following the date hereof, subject to certain
customary exemptions and a carveout for the sale of shares to cover
tax.
Goldman Sachs International, Jefferies GmbH, Morgan Stanley and
Nordea Danmark, Filial af Nordea Bank Abp, Finland, are acting as
joint global coordinators and joint bookrunners in the Offering,
and Van Lanschot Kempen N.V. is acting as lead manager in the
Offering (the joint global coordinators and the lead manager are
jointly referred to as the "Managers").
Plesner and DLA Piper LLP (US) are acting as Danish and U.S.
legal advisors respectively to Zealand for the Offering. Kromann
Reumert is acting as legal advisor to the Managers.
Share capital increase
The board of directors of Zealand is, if the Offering is
completed, expected to exercise its authorization in article 7.1 of
Zealand's articles of association granted by Zealand's general
meeting at the annual general meeting 20 March 2024, to issue the
New Shares and increase Zealand's share capital accordingly.
Expected timetable for the Offering
Bookbuilding will commence immediately and can close at any
time.
Completion of the Offering, including the admission to trading
and official listing of the New Shares, is subject to the Offering
not being withdrawn prior to the settlement hereof and Zealand
making an announcement to that effect.
Expected 25 June 2024 |
Pricing and announcement of subscription price |
Excepted 26 June 2024 |
Subscribers are notified of their allocation |
Expected 28 June 2024 |
Registration of the New Shares with the Danish Business
Authority |
Expected 28 June 2024 |
Settlement and payment against delivery of the New Shares. The New
Shares will be delivered in the temporary ISIN code |
Expected 1 July 2024 |
Admittance to trading and official listing of the New Shares, in
the ISIN code for the existing shares, DK0060257814, on Nasdaq
Copenhagen A/S |
Expected 2 July 2024 |
Merger of the temporary ISIN code with the permanent ISIN code |
Contacts:
Adam Lange, Investor Relations
OfficerALange@zealandpharma.com
Anna Krassowska, Vice President, Investor Relations &
Corporate CommunicationsAKrassowska@zealandpharma.com
Henriette Wennicke, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
OfficerHWennicke@zealandpharma.com
Adam Steensberg, President and Chief Executive
OfficerASteensberg@zealandpharma.com
About Zealand Pharma A/S
Zealand Pharma A/S is a biotechnology company focused on the
discovery and development of peptide-based medicines. More than 10
drug candidates invented by Zealand have advanced into clinical
development, of which two have reached the market and three
candidates are in late-stage development. The Company has
development partnerships with several pharma companies as well as
commercial partnerships for its marketed products.
Zealand was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Copenhagen,
Denmark, with a presence in the U.S. For more information about
Zealand’s business and activities, please visit
www.zealandpharma.com.
Important information
This announcement is not a prospectus and investors should not
purchase any securities referred to in this announcement on the
basis of this announcement. The information contained in this
announcement is for information and background purposes only and
does not purport to be full or complete. No reliance may or should
be placed by any person for any purposes whatsoever on the
information contained in this announcement or on its completeness,
accuracy or fairness. The information in this announcement is
subject to change. No obligation is undertaken to update this
announcement or correct any inaccuracies, and the distribution of
this announcement shall not be deemed to be any form of commitment
on the part of Zealand to proceed with any transaction or
arrangement referred to herein. This announcement has not been
approved by any competent regulatory authority.
This announcement does not constitute or form part of any offer
or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to
purchase or subscribe for any shares or any other securities nor
shall it (or any part of it) or the fact of its distribution, form
the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, or act as an
inducement to enter into, any contract or commitment whatsoever.
The transactions described in this announcement and the
distribution of this announcement and other information in
connection with the transactions in certain jurisdictions may be
restricted by law and persons into whose possession this
announcement, any document or other information referred to herein
comes should inform themselves about, and observe, any such
restrictions. In particular, no announcement or information
regarding such transactions may be disseminated to the public in
any jurisdiction where a prior registration or approval is required
for such purpose. Any failure to comply with these or other
applicable restrictions may constitute a violation of the
securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
In particular, this announcement does not contain or constitute
an offer of, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe
for, securities to any person in the United States (including its
territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the
District of Columbia), Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa, or
in any other jurisdiction to whom or in which such offer or
solicitation is unlawful ("Excluded Territories"). Any
failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a
violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The
securities referred to in this announcement have not been, and will
not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or under the
securities laws of any state of the United States or any other
Excluded Territory. Accordingly, such securities may not be
offered, sold, resold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in or
into the United States absent registration except pursuant to an
exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the
registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and state
securities laws, and such securities may not be offered, sold,
resold, taken up, exercised, renounced, transferred, delivered or
distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into any other Excluded
Territory or any other jurisdiction if to do so would constitute a
violation of the relevant laws of, or require registration of such
securities in, the relevant jurisdiction. There will be no public
offer of securities in the United States or elsewhere. Any public
offer of such securities to be made in the United States would be
made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from Zealand,
which would contain detailed information about the Company and
management, as well as financial statements. None of Zealand, the
Managers or any of their respective subsidiary undertakings,
affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers,
employees, advisers, agents or any other person accepts any
responsibility whatsoever if the foregoing restrictions are not
complied with by any other person.
This announcement is not for release, publication or
distribution in whole or in part in or into the Excluded
Territories, except as permitted by applicable law.
This announcement has been prepared on the basis that any offers
of securities referred to herein will be made pursuant to an
exemption from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers
of such securities (i) in any Member State of the EEA under the
Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 on prospectuses (the "EU
Prospectus Regulation"), and (ii) in the United Kingdom, under
the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of
domestic law in the United Kingdom by virtue of the European Union
(Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the “UK Prospectus Regulation”).
The information set forth in this announcement is only being
distributed to, and directed at, persons in Member States of the
EEA who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article
2(1)(e) of the EU Prospectus Regulation.
This announcement is only being distributed to, and is only
directed at, persons in the United Kingdom who are "qualified
investors" within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the UK
Prospectus Regulation, who are also persons that (i) are
“investment professionals” falling within Article 19(5) of the
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order
2005 (as amended, the "Order"), (ii) are persons falling
within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies,
unincorporated associations, etc.") of the Order, or (iii) are
persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment
activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial
Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale
of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused
to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as
"relevant persons"). Any investment or investment activity to which
this announcement relates is available in the United Kingdom only
to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant
persons. This announcement must not be acted on or relied on by
persons in the United Kingdom who are not relevant persons.
This announcement is not made and will not make an offer to the
public in Switzerland, except for any offering under the following
exemptions under the Swiss Financial Services Act as of 15 June
2018, as amended (“FINSA”): (i) to a professional client as
defined in FINSA; or (ii) in any other circumstances relying on an
exemption to publish an offering prospectus under FINSA, provided
that no such offer shall require Zealand, the Managers or any other
person involved in the Offering to publish a prospectus pursuant to
FINSA.
None of Zealand, the Managers or any of their respective
subsidiary undertakings, affiliates or any of their respective
directors, officers, employees, advisers, agents or any other
person accepts any responsibility whatsoever for, or makes any
representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the truth,
accuracy, completeness or fairness of the information or opinions
in this announcement (or whether any information has been omitted
from the announcement) or any other information relating to Zealand
or associated companies, whether written, oral or in a visual or
electronic form, and howsoever transmitted or made available or for
any loss howsoever arising from any use of this announcement or its
contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith.
This announcement does not constitute an investment
recommendation. The price and value of securities and any income
from them can go down as well as up and you could lose your entire
investment. Past performance is not a guide to future performance.
Information in this announcement cannot be relied upon as a guide
to future performance.
The Managers are acting for Zealand and for no one else in
relation to the Offering and will not be responsible to any other
person for providing the protections afforded to their clients nor
for providing advice in connection with the matters contained in
this announcement. No representation or warranty, express or
implied, is or will be made as to, or in relation to, and no
responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by the Managers
or by any of their affiliates or agents, as to or in relation to,
the accuracy or completeness of this announcement or any other
written or oral information made available to or publicly available
to any interested party or its advisers, and any liability
therefore is expressly disclaimed.
In connection with the Offering, each of the Managers and any of
their respective affiliates or any person acting on its or their
behalf, may take up a portion of the shares of Zealand in the
Offering in a principal position and in that capacity may retain,
purchase or sell for its own account such shares and other
securities of Zealand or related investments and may offer or sell
such shares, securities or other investments otherwise than in
connection with the Offering. Accordingly, references in this
announcement to New Shares being issued, offered or placed should
be read as including any issue, offering or placement of such
shares in Zealand to the Managers or any of their respective
affiliates or any person acting on its or their behalf acting in
such capacity. In addition, any Manager or any of their respective
affiliates or any person acting on its or their behalf may enter
into financing arrangements (including swaps, warrants or contracts
for difference) with investors in connection with which such
Manager(s) or any of their respective affiliates or any person
acting on its or their behalf may from time to time acquire, hold
or dispose of such securities of Zealand, including the New Shares.
Furthermore, in the event that the Managers acquire New Shares in
the Offering, they may coordinate disposals of such shares in
accordance with applicable law and regulation. None of the Managers
or any of their respective affiliates or any person acting on its
or their behalf intend to disclose the extent of any such
investment or transactions otherwise than in accordance with any
legal or regulatory obligation to do so.
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 shares in Zealand Pharma A/S have been
subject to a product approval process, which has determined that
such shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of retail
investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional
clients and 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 shares in Zealand
Pharma A/S may decline and investors could lose all or part of
their investment; the shares in Zealand Pharma A/S offer no
guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in
the shares in Zealand Pharma A/S 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 contemplated share issue. Furthermore, it is noted that,
notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment Goldman Sachs
International, Jefferies GmbH, Morgan Stanley & Co.
International Plc, Nordea Danmark, filial af Nordea Bank Abp,
Finland and Van Lanschot Kempen N.V will only procure investors who
meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible
counterparties.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Market Assessment does
not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness
for the purposes of MiFID II; or (b) a recommendation to any
investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take
any other action whatsoever with respect to the shares in Zealand
Pharma A/S. Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own
target market assessment in respect of the shares in Zealand Pharma
A/S and determining appropriate distribution channels.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements that
provide Zealand Pharma’s expectations or forecasts of future
events, including the pricing and closing of the Offering, the
intended use of proceeds therefrom and the Company’s anticipated
cash runway. These forward-looking statements may be identified by
words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,”
“expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “possible,”
“potential,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions and the
negatives of those terms. You should not place undue reliance on
these statements, or the scientific data presented. The reader is
cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. Such
forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and
inaccurate assumptions, which may cause actual results to differ
materially from expectations set forth herein and may cause any or
all of such forward-looking statements to be incorrect, and which
include, but are not limited to, the occurrence of clinical,
corporate, regulatory or financial developments or changes in
market conditions. If any or all of such forward-looking statements
prove to be incorrect, our actual results could differ materially
and adversely from those anticipated or implied by such statements.
The foregoing sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that
could cause actual results to differ from our expectations in any
forward-looking statement. All such forward-looking statements
speak only as of the date of this announcement and are based on
information available to Zealand Pharma as of the date of this
release. The Company does not undertake to update any of these
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that
occur after the date hereof. Information concerning pharmaceuticals
(including compounds under development) contained within this
material is not intended as advertising or medical advice.
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